A BBC Radio 4 comedy drama

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 5

Roger Allam and Joanna Lumley star in the complete fifth series of the much-loved comedy drama 
 
&lsquo;An endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance &ndash; and something like love&rsquo; Guardian 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam are passionate, affectionate long-marrieds, still loving and laughing their way through life after 50 years together (on and off). 
 
We catch up with them as Joanna&rsquo;s landmark birthday is looming, and &ndash; inspired by fond memories of &lsquo;the Kerouac years&rsquo; &ndash; Roger surprises her with a nostalgic trip in a hippy love bus. Joanna, meanwhile, reminisces over their youthful Harley Davidson rides, indulges in a random act of kindness and relives old times when she visits an old friend in need. 
 
Though lack of communication causes complications for their loved ones, it&rsquo;s not a problem Joanna and Roger are ever likely to have &ndash; and whether they&rsquo;re rescuing spiders or planning Auntie Hilda&rsquo;s wedding, they&rsquo;re never short of conversation. But talking can&rsquo;t solve everything &ndash; and when a huge shock rocks the foundations of their marriage, a devastated Joanna makes a decision that will break Roger&rsquo;s heart... 
 
Conversations from a Long Marriage won the Voice of the Listener &amp; Viewer Award for Best Radio Comedy in 2020, and was nominated for a Writers&rsquo; Guild Award in 2022 and a British Comedy Guide award in 2023. Scripted by award-winning journalist and comedy writer Jan Etherington (Second Thoughts, Faith in the Future), this beautifully crafted sitcom is by turns poignant and hilarious. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jan Etherington 
Produced and directed by Claire Jones 
Sound engineer: Wilfredo Acosta 
Sound designer: Jon Calver 
Production coordinator: Katie Baum 
A BBC Studios Production 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 February-28 March 2024 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

An endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance &ndash; and something like love

A BBC Radio 4 Comedy Drama

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 4

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam star in the complete fourth series of the award-winning comedy drama 
 
'Sublimely funny, touching... a work of supreme craftsmanship' Radio Times 
 
'Jan Etherington has the pen of an angel' Joanna Lumley 
 
Roger Allam and Joanna Lumley are back as the long-married couple who met in the Swinging Sixties and are still in love with life and each other. Most of the time... 
 
We join them for more banter, bickering, confessions and reminiscences, as they dance in the kitchen, sing in the car and strive to keep the passion alive. They may be Senior Railcard holders, but they still feel the same inside - and while growing older has its challenges, from dodgy knees to failing eyesight, their relationship is still in vigorous health. 
 
Having decided to put off selling the house, they're nonetheless adapting to a big change: Amy's moved in. She has long, thin legs and lots of black hair, which is why their new rescue dog is named after Amy Winehouse. Joanna's attempts at training are scuppered by Roger and Amy's 'lovefest', leading her to remark 'There are three of us in this marriage.' But though they're busier than ever, there's still plenty of time for godchildren, old friends, music, laughter and conversation... 
 
Created by award-winning writer Jan Etherington, this brilliant comedy two-hander is based on her own long marriage to Gavin Petrie (with whom she wrote the hit series Second Thoughts and Faith in the Future). The winner of the 2020 Voice of the Listener & Viewer Award for Best Radio Comedy, it features two of Britain's most loved and illustrious actors at their very best. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jan Etherington 
Produced and directed by Claire Jones 
Sound engineer: Wilfredo Acosta 
Sound designer: Jon Calver 
Production coordinator: Katie Baum 
A BBC Studios Production 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 15 February-22 March 2023 
 
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 3

'Sublimely funny, touching series... a work of supreme craftsmanship' Radio Times 
 
'Peppered with nostalgic 60s hits and especially written for the pair, it's an endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance - and something like love.' The Guardian 
 
'Treasure this one ... this series makes people laugh' Gillian Reynolds, Sunday Times 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return as the married couple who met in the Summer of Love and are still passionate about love, life, music - and each other. 
 
With Roger approaching a big birthday, the couple reflect on growing older and all that it entails, from the increasing need to keep active to the ultimate question - to downsize, or not to downsize? However, their progress is hindered by still feeling the same as ever ... even if their friends have replaced technicolour for tweed and have never heard of Stormzy! 
 
Along the way, there's also jealousy, talk of affairs, Roger's sleep-talking and the discovery of his 'baby whisperer' abilities - but underlying it all is this couple's long-lasting love for each other. 
 
Created by award-winning comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington, and based on her own long marriage to Gavin Petrie (with whom she wrote the hit radio and TV series Second Thoughts and Faith in the Future), this delightful comedy two-hander will resonate with couples of all ages. 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
 
Produced and directed by Claire Jones 
 
A BBC Studios production 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

'Sublimely funny, touching series... a work of supreme craftsmanship' Radio Times 
 
'Peppered with nostalgic 60s hits and especially written for the pair, it's an endearing portrait of exasperation, laced with hard won tolerance - and something like love.' The Guardian 
 
'Treasure this one ... this series makes people laugh' Gillian Reynolds, Sunday Times 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return as the married couple who met in the Summer of Love and are still passionate about love, life, music - and each other. 
 
With Roger approaching a big birthday, the couple reflect on growing older and all that it entails, from the increasing need to keep active to the ultimate question - to downsize, or not to downsize? However, their progress is hindered by still feeling the same as ever ... even if their friends have replaced technicolour for tweed and have never heard of Stormzy! 
 
Along the way, there's also jealousy, talk of affairs, Roger's sleep-talking and the discovery of his 'baby whisperer' abilities - but underlying it all is this couple's long-lasting love for each other. 
 
Created by award-winning comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington, and based on her own long marriage to Gavin Petrie (with whom she wrote the hit radio and TV series Second Thoughts and Faith in the Future), this delightful comedy two-hander will resonate with couples of all ages. 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
 
Produced and directed by Claire Jones 
 
A BBC Studios production 
 
©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 2

The complete second series of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple who have been married 'for ever', but are keeping the passion alive 
 
'Sublimely funny, touching series... a work of supreme craftsmanship' Radio Times 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return as the married couple who met in the Summer of Love and are still passionate about music, life - and each other. 
 
Once again, we listen in on their warm, witty 'conversations', which dance around topics big and small: from health scares and jealousy to disagreements about TV viewing and sourdough bread. There's laughter, bickering, banter - and some loving one-upmanship from both parties, as Roger gives Joanna a masterclass in dishwasher stacking, while Joanna instructs him on how to wave goodbye to departing guests. 
 
Approaching the end of a particularly turbulent year, Joanna makes a list of New Year's Resolutions - for Roger - and suggests their marriage needs a re-boot. 'Out the door?' is his response: but there's plenty of life left in this long, loving relationship, and many more discussions, questions and confessions yet to come... 
 
Created by award-winning writer and journalist Jan Etherington, and based on her own long marriage to Gavin Petrie (with whom she wrote the hit radio and TV series Second Thoughts and Faith in the Future), this sparkling comedy two-hander will resonate with anyone who's ever been in a couple. 
 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
Produced and directed by Claire Jones 
A BBC Studios production 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Sublimely funny, touching series... a work of supreme craftsmanship

The complete second series of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple who have been married 'for ever', but are keeping the passion alive 
 
'Sublimely funny, touching series... a work of supreme craftsmanship' Radio Times 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return as the married couple who met in the Summer of Love and are still passionate about music, life - and each other. 
 
Once again, we listen in on their warm, witty 'conversations', which dance around topics big and small: from health scares and jealousy to disagreements about TV viewing and sourdough bread. There's laughter, bickering, banter - and some loving one-upmanship from both parties, as Roger gives Joanna a masterclass in dishwasher stacking, while Joanna instructs him on how to wave goodbye to departing guests. 
 
Approaching the end of a particularly turbulent year, Joanna makes a list of New Year's Resolutions - for Roger - and suggests their marriage needs a re-boot. 'Out the door?' is his response: but there's plenty of life left in this long, loving relationship, and many more discussions, questions and confessions yet to come... 
 
Created by award-winning writer and journalist Jan Etherington, and based on her own long marriage to Gavin Petrie (with whom she wrote the hit radio and TV series Second Thoughts and Faith in the Future), this sparkling comedy two-hander will resonate with anyone who's ever been in a couple. 
 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
Produced and directed by Claire Jones 
A BBC Studios production 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Conversations from a Long Marriage

All six episodes of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple who have been married for over 40 years but are still passionate about life, love and each other

The first six episodes of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple who have been married for over 40 years but are still passionate about life, love and each other 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam play a married couple who met in the Summer of Love and have stayed together ever since. Children of the Sixties, they are still free spirits, drawn together by their love for music and one another. 
We follow their conversations from the café to the kitchen table, taking in everyday chores, dealing with problems with long-held friendships and tackling their frustrations with each other. With warmth, wit and honesty, they talk about the indignities of ageing (he has a dodgy knee and is on statins, she resents her new, tri-focal glasses), their desire to still be seen as attractive and their fears and vulnerabilities around growing older. 
 
There's jealousy and talk of affairs, confessions are made and long-held secrets are unearthed - but underlying it all is their enduring love for each other and their desire to keep the passion alive. 
 
Written by award-winning comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington, and based on her own 35-year marriage, this gentle comedy will ring a bell with couples of all ages. 
 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
Produced by Claire Jones 
A BBC Studios Production 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The first six episodes of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple who have been married for over 40 years but are still passionate about life, love and each other 
 
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam play a married couple who met in the Summer of Love and have stayed together ever since. Children of the Sixties, they are still free spirits, drawn together by their love for music and one another. 
We follow their conversations from the café to the kitchen table, taking in everyday chores, dealing with problems with long-held friendships and tackling their frustrations with each other. With warmth, wit and honesty, they talk about the indignities of ageing (he has a dodgy knee and is on statins, she resents her new, tri-focal glasses), their desire to still be seen as attractive and their fears and vulnerabilities around growing older. 
 
There's jealousy and talk of affairs, confessions are made and long-held secrets are unearthed - but underlying it all is their enduring love for each other and their desire to keep the passion alive. 
 
Written by award-winning comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington, and based on her own 35-year marriage, this gentle comedy will ring a bell with couples of all ages. 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
Produced by Claire Jones 
A BBC Studios Production 
 
©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Change: A BBC Radio Sitcom: The Complete Series 1-3

A BBC Radio 4 sitcom about a troubled hormonal wife and a transvestite husband

All three series of the BBC radio comedy about a troubled wife and a transvestite husband 
 
Now that their children have left home, George and Carol finally have time for themselves again. Carol's looking forward to it being just the two of them. George, however, thinks the time is right to finally be honest with his wife - and introduces her to his alter ego Georgina... 
 
As Carol tries to come to terms with this shock announcement, she and George have some work to do if they want to save their marriage. Can George bear to get rid of his entire wardrobe of women's clothes - even his favourite tiara? What will his friends and family say when they find out his secret? 
 
Scripted by award-winning husband-and-wife writing duo Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie (Second Thoughts, The Other Man), this cross-dressing comedy about midlife crises, surprises, silk underwear and Laura Ashley stars Lynda Bellingham as Carol and Chris Ellison and Philip Jackson as George. 
 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie 
Produced by Maria Esposito (Series 1) and Elizabeth Freestone (Series 2 and 3) 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 November-20 December 2001 (Series 1), 7 February-14 March 2003 (Series 2), 3 November-8 December 2004 (Series 3) 
 
Cast 
Carol - Lynda Bellingham 
George - Chris Ellison/Philip Jackson 
Violet - Sylvia Syms/Marcia Warren 
Maureen - Maureen Beattie 
Dave - Mark Powley 
Ken - James Vaughan 
Jerry - Kevin Bishop/Richard Standing/Barnaby Kay 
Sonia - Emma Kennedy 
Man/Linda - Andrew Westfield 
Herself- Diana Aitchison 
Amanda/Cassandra - Paul Chadhidi 
Doctor/Nurse/Donna/Researcher - Rosie Armstrong 
Herself - Jenni Murray

Series 1-4 of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom

Second Thoughts

Bill and Faith are late in love but new to each other in this sitcom about divorcees trying to forge a relationship together.

All four series of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple experiencing love for the second time – plus special festive episode The Fight Before Christmas 
 
Bill and Faith are both divorcees, late in love but new to each other. As they battle to forge a relationship together, they discover that the course of true love doesn’t always run smoothly. 
 
In these 31 episodes, they move in together, plan a wedding and deal with the challenges of married life – all the while trying to balance the demands of Gavin’s ex-wife, Liza, and her teenage children, Hannah and Joe. From bickering about the kids to worrying about money, trying to find time for romance and dealing with feelings of jealousy, the duo’s relationship comes under fire from all sides. Can they make love work the second time around? 
 
Inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie, this funny, bittersweet sitcom was adapted for ITV where it ran for five seasons and was followed by an equally successful sequel, Faith in the Future. It stars Lynda Bellingham as Faith and James Bolam as Bill. 
 
Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie 
Produced by Pete Atkin (Series 1), Sioned Wiliam (Series 2) and Paul Schlesinger (Series 3 and 4 and The Fight Before Christmas) 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 3 November-22 December 1988 (Series 1), 31 October-19 December 1989 (Series 2), 9 April-28 May 1991 (Series 3), 18 June-23 July 1992 (Series 4), 25 December 1992 (The Fight Before Christmas) 
 
Cast 
Faith……………………Lynda Bellingham 
Bill……………………James Bolam 
Hilary……………………Celia Imrie/Geraldine Fitzgerald 
Liza……………………Belinda Lang 
Hannah……………………Kelda Holmes/Emma Gregory/Julia Sawalha 
Joe……………………Mark Denham 
Grace/Jill……………………Moir Leslie 
Alex……………………John Samson/Mark Straker 
Ray……………………Nicholas Courtney/Ian Lindsay 
Ted/Mr Burrows……………………Norman Bird 
Treadwell……………………Richard Tate 
Christian/Gideon/Waiter……………………Ian Targett 
Richard……………………John Moffatt/Christopher Good/Geoffrey Whitehead 
Steve……………………Guy Brougham 
Rachel……………………Rebecca Front 
Police Officer……………………Deborah Rowbottom 
Dennis……………………Brian Bowles 
Mr Roper……………………Danny Schiller 
Marjorie……………………Jo Kendall 
Registrar……………………John Baddeley 
Video Man……………………Richard Tate 
Cabbie……………………Ben Onwukwe 
Gina……………………Danielle Allen 
Kevin……………………Mark Straker/David Learner 
Karel Cerny……………………Nigel Carrington 
Clayton……………………David Learner 
Chris……………………Peter Gunn 
Louise……………………Melanie Hudson 
Course Leader/Duncan……………………Nick Murchie

The Other Man

Travis meets Grace, the woman of his dreams. But she has one fatal flaw - a husband.

Julian Rhind-Tutt stars as Travis, the ‘other man’ in love with a married woman, in this six-part romantic comedy 
 
Travis meets Grace, the woman of his dreams. But she has one fatal flaw – a husband. And Travis and Grace aren’t the only people with complicated love lives – there’s also Travis's brother Charlie, Charlie's ex-girlfriend Alice and Travis's not-so-secret admirer Serena. 
 
As Travis and Grace try to get their illicit affair underway, events seem to be conspiring against them and their plans are continually thwarted. When they are nearly caught out twice, Travis begins to wonder if he’s really cut out for infidelity – especially when he meets the other ‘other man’ in Grace’s life: her son. Meanwhile, the Serena/Charlie/Alice love knot shows no signs of untangling – so Alice decides to take matters into her own hands. 
 
Events finally come to a head for all the star-crossed lovers with a date, a declaration, some poetry and a proposal... 
 
Created by award-winning husband-and-wife writing team Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie (Second Thoughts, Faith in the Future) this delightful comedy drama stars Julian Rhind-Tutt as Travis, with Charlotte Randle as Grace. 
 
Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie 
Produced by Elizabeth Freestone 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 15 March-19 April 2006 
 
Cast 
Travis……………………Julian Rhind-Tutt 
Grace……………………Charlotte Randle 
Charlie……………………Paul Reynolds 
Serena……………………Alice Lowe 
Alice……………………Clare Cathcart 
George……………………Russell Bentley 
Ian/Goosey/Cyrano……………………Andrew Westfield 
Annie/Miss Lambourne……………………Harvey Virdi 
Miles……………………Charlie Hicks

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 7

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return in the seventh series of Conversations from a Long Marriage. 
 
Playing a long-married couple who met in the Summer of Love and have stayed together ever since, their conversations are practical, passionate, hilarious - and familiar to every couple. 
 
Written by award-winning comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington, this gentle comedy will ring a bell with couples of all ages.

Jan Etherington

Joanna Lumley

Roger Allam

The complete sixth series of the award-winning comedy drama starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
 
‘A work of supreme craftsmanship.’ Radio Times 
 
Roger Allam and Joanna Lumley return as the loving long-marrieds, still passionate about life, music and each other. 
 
Having taken a three-month break from their relationship following the shock revelation that Roger has an adult son, Joanna has come back home – though she’s still struggling to come to terms with his ‘new’ family. A mouse invasion brings the matter to a head, and she agrees to see a therapist, telling Roger she’s happy to go again: ‘...But she wants to see you first’. 
 
Change is in the air as the duo decide to sell their ‘money pit’ house and find a smaller place by the sea, and they’ve got Georgia on their minds as they take a trip to Savannah for the wedding of Roger’s grandson. When Joanna has a cataract operation and is banned from bending over, it’s down to Roger to pack up for their move to the coast – once they’ve hosted a farewell party, that is. And as moving day arrives, bringing chaos, craziness and a canine calamity, there are a few tears when Roger reveals he’ll miss his shed… 
 
Scripted by comedy writer and journalist Jan Etherington (Second Thoughts, Faith in the Future), this funny, warm-hearted sitcom will strike a chord with couples of all ages who are laughing, loving and keeping the dream alive. 
 
Production credits 
Written by Jan Etherington 
Produced by Claire Jones 
Sound engineer: Wilfredo Acosta 
Sound designer: Jon Calver 
Production coordinator: Sarah Nicholls 
An EcoAudio certified production 
A BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 
 
Starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 May-23 June 2025 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Jan Etherington

Books by Jan Etherington

Series by Jan Etherington

Conversations from a Long Marriage

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