24 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 • 422 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.

    Breaking the Rules: Cry If You Want To

    Breaking the Rules: Cry If You Want To

    by E.V Crowe.
    Single parent Ana is pretty sure she isn't being paid fairly at work.
    She's tried her boss; she's tried HR - to no avail.
    So now she needs to find out how much her colleague Dave earns in order to make her case.
    So one night, she turns up at his flat to ask him...
    Crackling two-hander from award-winning writer E.V Crowe that asks: how far would you go to get what's fair?
    Ana....Ellie Kendrick
    Dave....Sam Swann
    Production co-ordinator....Gaelan Davis-Connolly
    Sound by Ali Craig, Keith Graham and Andrew Garratt
    Written by E.V Crowe
    Directed by Abigail le Fleming
    The Writer
    E V Crowe is a graduate of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme Super Group, and a writer for Theatre, Film, TV, Radio and Dance. She has had four plays on at the Royal Court. Her work for radio includes the award-winning How To Say Goodbye Properly and two series of comic but political two-hander Cry Babies.
    This drama was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

    • 57 min
    Breaking the Rules: This Week is Family Week

    Breaking the Rules: This Week is Family Week

    Xinjiang Province, China. Uyghur student, Nur, is able to 'pass' as Han Chinese, and exploits this as much as possible in a society where Uyghur people live under constant surveillance.
    Nur and her mother, Meryem, want to avoid being sent to one of the re-education prison camps, where it is thought a million people - mostly Uyghur - have been detained without trial. But then they are assigned a live-in Chinese 'relative' by the authorities - Auntie Wang Shu - who comes to stay in their apartment as part of a Family Week initiative to ensure lifestyle conformity: "Cook together, eat together, study together, travel together, sleep together!"
    But Wang Shu has other motives, which involve marrying her son to a Uyghur woman. And she has Nur in her sights as a prime candidate. Any missteps by Nur or Meryem could result in their being sent into re-education. But will Nur play by the rules?
    A fictional story inspired by real accounts. Writer Avin Shah has drawn on testimonies from the 2021 independent Uyghur Tribunal (chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice, chief prosecutor on the trial of Slobodan Milošević) and on research by Raminder Kaur, Professor of Anthropology and Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex, who served on the tribunal, as well on interviews with other Uyghur and Chinese cultural and political consultants.
    Nur......Aruhan Galieva
    Meryem.....Camilla Anvar
    Guard and various other roles.....Daniel York Loh
    Other members of the cast have chosen to remain anonymous.
    It was a BBC Audio Wales production, directed by Emma Harding.

    • 58 min
    Almonds and Raisins: Episode 1

    Almonds and Raisins: Episode 1

    Based on the novel by Maisie Mosco
    Dramatized by Adam Usden
    Episode 1
    An epic Jewish family saga, beginning in Manchester in 1905. The Sandberg family have escaped persecution from their homeland in Russia. They arrive as refugees in Strangeways, Manchester, where they must start a new life. Avraham, a cobbler from Dvinsk tries to find work in the many Jewish garment factories housed in the cramped terraces. His wife Sarah tries to settle the kids but has her heart set on her own home.
    Sarah ...... Emma Leah Golding
    Avraham ...... Daniel Abelson
    David ...... Aaron Gelkoff
    Sammy ...... Yoni Bronks
    Isaac ...... David Fleeshman
    Rabbi Lensky ...... Jack Wagman
    Malka ...... Katie Bernstein
    Chaim ...... Lishai Rice
    Uncle Mottel ...... Lloyd Peters
    Casting co-ordinators-Vicky Moseley and Pippa Day
    Production co-ordinator-Lorna Newman
    Studio Manager- Amy Brennan
    Sound Designer- Sharon Hughes
    Director/Producers- Jessica Mitic and Gary Brown
    A BBC Studios Audio Production
    From 1791 to 1917 thousands of Jews lived in 'The Pale of Settlement' in the west of the Russian Empire. Then after 1881 when the Tsar was assassinated, the Jews were unfairly blamed and there were many violent pogroms. Thousands fled to America and Western Europe to escape. For many English Jews this is their family's story. Their ancestors mainly went to the East End of London. But several thousand settled in northern cities such as Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. The Jewish garment industry of the north went on to change the landscape of the British high street. Brands like Marks and Spencer (set up in Leeds Market), Burtons and Moss Brothers were part of the warp and the weft of twentieth century retailing.

    • 43 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

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
422 Ratings

422 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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