23 episodes

Every Friday we bring you a new drama from BBC Radio 4 or Radio 3. Exercise your imagination with some of the best writers and actors on radio. Storytelling at its very best.

Drama of the Week BBC Radio 4

    • Fiction
    • 4.2 • 417 Ratings

Every Friday we bring you a new drama from BBC Radio 4 or Radio 3. Exercise your imagination with some of the best writers and actors on radio. Storytelling at its very best.

    The Mini-Break

    The Mini-Break

    Esme’s meeting her boyfriend’s parents for the first time. But when she discovers a dark family secret, making a good impression becomes the least of her worries… Chloë Myerson’s modern-day folk-horror story about family and fate, inspired by the writing of Hans Christian Andersen.
    CAST
    Esme ..... Máiréad Tyers
    Danny ..... Josh Bryant-Jones
    Susanna ..... Jane Slavin
    Tim ..... Nicholas Woodeson
    The Storyteller .... David Menkin
    Agneta ..... Kitty O’Sullivan
    Written by Chloë Myerson
    Directed by Anne Isger
    Sound by Ali Craig and Andy Garratt
    A BBC Audio Production

    • 44 min
    This Is For Everyone

    This Is For Everyone

    Entertaining drama from award-winning writer Matthew Broughton exploring probably the biggest turning point in recent history: the creation of the World Wide Web, and its impact on one family in the decades that follow.
    In August 1991, the first website goes live. At exactly the same time, a baby is born...
    Julie....Claudie Blakley
    Vic....Dana Haqjoo
    Young Lucy...Astrid le Fleming
    Lucy....Katie Redford
    Young Ben....Bertie Creswell
    Ben....Luke Nunn
    Narrator....Peter Marinker
    With the voices of Josh Bryant-Jones, Jessica Enemokwu, Laura Power, Maxim Reston.
    Technical producers...Keith Graham, Andy Garratt, Peter Ringrose
    Production co-ordinator...Jonathan Powell
    Written by Matthew Broughton
    Directed by Abigail le Fleming
    A BBC Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
    Extract from 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, BBC audio, © International Olympic Committee.
    Extracts of Sir Tim Berners-Lee from an interview with CNBC, and The Richard Dimbleby Lecture: The World Wide Web - A Mid-Course Correction, BBC

    • 57 min
    English Rose Series 2 - 1: Go West Young Girl

    English Rose Series 2 - 1: Go West Young Girl

    By Helen Cross.
    Rose has made a fresh start in the City of Angels and life feels good. But she can't ignore the past, and now it's starting to bite.
    Her ex-boss Maya is loving never getting older and has Rose to thank for that. Maya has big plans for a 'rejuvenation' spa in the California hills, but Rose suspects all is not what it seems. On top of that she's worried that someone, or something, is trying to send her telepathic messages. But are they to warn her, or frighten her?
    Stylish and surprising fantasy horror with a comic twist, starring Alexandra Mardell (Coronation Street) and Demetri Goritsas (Ten Percent). With music by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Mercury-nominated band, Porridge Radio.
    Helen Cross wrote ‘My Summer of Love’ which won a Betty Trask award and was made into a Bafta-winning film with Emily Blunt (recently rated her best film in The Guardian top ten Emily Blunt films). Mary Ward-Lowery won Best Director in 2020 Audio Drama Awards.
    Rose ... Alexandra Mardell
    Maya ... Miranda Braun
    Austin ... Demetri Goritsas
    Siobhan ... Deirdre Mullins
    Delphine ... Yasemin Özdemir
    Mam ... Jane Thornton
    Jack ... Tyler Cameron
    Gym owner ... Don Gilet
    Dakota ... Rhiannon Neads
    Alina ... Kitty O'Sullivan
    Englishman ... Martin Bonger
    Angry Man ... Douglas Hodgson
    Gully ... Bruce Casswell
    Original music written and performed by Dana Margolin and Sam Yardley of Porridge Radio.
    Sound design by Ilse Lademann and Mary Ward-Lowery
    Assistant Producer ... Alison Crawford
    Director ... Mary Ward-Lowery

    • 28 min
    The North Remembers

    The North Remembers

    By Samantha Harvey. Mum drives through the Dark Hedges, crossing a threshold into a different world. Read by Deirdre Mullins.
    Topical fiction inspired by the story, in this week's news, that some of the beech trees that line the Bregagh Road in Armoy, County Antrim, have been felled amid concern for public safety. The trees, a landmark in their own right, were made more famous after featuring in the fantasy drama Game of Thrones.
    Samantha won the Betty Trask Prize for her first novel The Wilderness, which was longlisted for the Man Booker, and shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Guardian First Book Award. Her work has been described by critics as 'spectacular', 'beautiful' and 'profound', and her latest novel, 'Orbital', an 'awe-inspiring and humbling love letter to Earth', has been selected by The Guardian as one of the most important books of 2023.
    Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery

    • 14 min
    Gaslight - Episode 1

    Gaslight - Episode 1

    Atmospheric drama from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes for BBC Sounds, featuring original music by Imelda May.
    Have you ever wondered where the term 'gaslighting' comes from? Find out in episode 1 of this dark reimagining of the classic 1938 stage thriller by Patrick Hamilton. To hear the series in full, just search for Gaslight in BBC Sounds.
    Jonathan Holloway's modern adaptation is set in the present, with a deliciously vintage feel.
    Jack Manningham has used his wife’s recently inherited money to buy a huge period property - a former bell foundry - which they will renovate. They occupy a small habitable part of the ground floor and basement. This previously neglected ramshackle building is lit by gas, as it was in Victorian times.
    In this first episode, Jack and Bella find a house that suits them and there's a lot riding on the screening of their latest film.
    Cast in order of appearance:
    Tippi Griffiths ..... Lacey Turner
    Jack Manningham ..... James Purefoy
    Bella Harding ..... Rebecca Night
    Ishani Rawe / Izzy ..... Macadie Amoroso
    DCI Nina Rawe ..... Cathy Tyson
    DI Reynolds / Michael McLennon / Chris De Jeanne ..... Richard Lintern
    Written by Jonathan Holloway, based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton
    Music: Imelda May with Tim Bran
    Produced by Sally Harrison with James Purefoy
    Directed by Johnny Vegas
    A Woolyback production in association with Darling Pictures, for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

    • 15 min
    Part 10 - Broken Colours

    Part 10 - Broken Colours

    Dan's life is in danger. To what lengths will Jess go to save him?
    Jess now knows the truth about Ronnie Vaz's relationship to Dan. But she's sucked even deeper into the violent world of his drug gang. Holli Dempsey and Josef Altin star in a new thriller of conflicting perception from Matthew Broughton (the creator of Tracks).
    Jess.....Holli Dempsey
    Dan.....Josef Altin
    Melissa......Alexandria Riley
    Petal.....Rina Mahoney
    Mother.....Christine Kavanagh
    Ronnie.....Alun Raglan
    Gallery Director....Jasmine Hyde
    Magnar.....Neil McCaul
    Sound design by Catherine Robinson and Nigel Lewis
    A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, directed by John Norton and Emma Harding

    • 25 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
417 Ratings

417 Ratings

minigoofy2011 ,

Superb !

The tragic story of the Penlee lifeboat was told with profound dignity and compassion towards the victims of this tragic incident . The memories of the family members of the victims were very moving! The story make me smile,cry and hope that memories of the victims will never faith away ! Calm is the Sea music performance by Mousehole Male Voice Choir was very truly touching ! Thank you,Callum Mitchell and kudos to BBC Drama of The Week Team! Great podcast!

Janith ,

Plane Speaking

What’s with all the “Goddamns”? What’s the point of sprinkling them in nearly every conversation? Whether or not you find them offensive, they certainly lose their effect after the first three. Cheap shot and disappointing writing. You can do better.

SBrentnall ,

BBC podcasts no longer play

I used to love listening to BBC dramas, but none of them will play anymore here in the US. I don’t understand why they’re showing in the library if we’re not allowed to listen to them.

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