Our Friends In The North

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4.

Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1960s. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the nouveau riche and the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s.

And the adapted series will now end with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

This first episode opens in 1964, with 20-year old Nicky Hutchinson meeting his girlfriend Mary on the beach. They've been apart all summer while Nicky was involved in the emerging US Civil Rights Movement. Her plans for them to spend the rest of the summer together are scuppered by Nicky's sudden decision to throw himself into canvassing for the Labour Party ahead of the general election. His friend Geordie can't see the point. He wants Nicky to join the band he's putting together with Tosker. But Nicky's far too busy. By the end of October, with Harold Wilson as PM, all four friends have made decisions that change their lives forever.

Mary: Norah Lopez Holden

Nicky: James Baxter

Geordie: Luke MacGregor

Tosker: Philip Correia

Felix: Trevor Fox

Florrie: Tracey Wilkinson

Austin Donohue: Tom Goodman-Hill

Eddie Wells: James Gaddas

Bede Connor: Tony Hirst

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning series Our Friends in the North rewritten for audio by Peter Flannery.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4.

Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1960s. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the nouveau riche and the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s.

And the adapted series will now end with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

The second episode opens in 1966, with Mary and Tosker married and bringing up their baby in a brand new high-rise council flat. Both the flat and the marriage are already showing cracks. Geordie's in London, soon working for porn baron Benny Barratt, who's facing crackdowns from the police and a Soho turf battle with a rival gang. Geordie is exactly who Barratt needs. In Newcastle, Nicky and Mary miss seeing each other, but she's pregnant again and determined to make her marriage work. Nicky is increasingly disillusioned with Austin Donohue and his connections with developer John Edwards. He's on the brink of another life-changing decision.

Austin Donohue / Charlie: Tom Goodman-Hill

John Edwards: Maanuv Thiara

Nicky: James Baxter

Geordie: Luke MacGregor

Mary / Julia: Norah Lopez-Holden

D.S. Conrad: Andrew Byron

Benny Barratt: Tony Hirst

Tosker / D.I Salway: Philip Correia

Ernie: Des Yankson

Arthur Watson: James Gaddas

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning series Our Friends in the North re-written for audio by Peter Flannery.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4. Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1964. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s. The adapted series now ends with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

The third episode opens in 1967. Nicky has turned his back on the Labour Party and is now looking to the anarchists for solutions, Mary and Tosker's new high-rise flat in Newcastle is almost uninhabitable and, in London, Geordie has fallen in love with his boss's mistress Jools - a dangerous game. The government are desperate to clean up Soho - Scotland Yard's Dirty Squad, together with porn baron Benny Barratt, come up with a solution.

Geordie: Luke MacGregor

DI Salway / Tosker: Philip Correia

DS Conrad: Andrew Byron

Julia / Mary: Norah Lopez-Holden

Benny Barratt / Eddie Wells: Tony Hirst

Commander Harold Chapple: James Gaddas

Austin Donohue / Claud Seabrook: Tom Goodman-Hill

John Edwards: Maanuv Thiara

Sandra: Tracey Wilkinson

Helen: Eve Shotton

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Jon Nicholls

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning series Our Friends in the North rewritten for audio by Peter Flannery.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4. Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1964. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s.The series now ends with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

In episode four, it's now 1970. Nicky and his anarchist friends are intent on bringing down Edward Heath's government by force, Geordie is still working for Benny Barratt in Soho, and Mary and Tosker continue to grow apart. Chief Constable Roy Johnson is brought in as an outsider to investigate corruption in the London Metropolitan Police force. He faces an uphill struggle.

Felix: Trevor Fox

Helen: Eve Shotton

Nicky: James Baxter

Geordie: Luke MacGregor

Commander Harold Chapple: James Gaddas

DI Salway / Tosker: Philip Correia

Austin Donohue / Claud Seabrook / D.I. Cockburn: Tom Goodman-Hill

Sir Colin Blamire: Des Yankson

DS Conrad: Andrew Byron

Benny Barratt / Chief Constable Roy Johnson: Tony Hirst

Mary: Norah Lopez Holden

Florrie: Tracey Wilkinson

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Paul Cargill

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning series Our Friends in the North rewritten for audio by Peter Flannery.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4.

Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1964. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s.

In episode five, it's 1974, the start of the 3-day week introduced by Edward Heath's government to conserve electricity. Nicky is back in Newcastle offering to campaign for the Labour Party, Geordie is determined to exact revenge on Benny Barratt, Mary is a local councillor and Tosker's business interests continue to grow. Under the new leadership of Commissioner Jellicoe, the Met are finally beginning to crack down on the Soho porn industry, as well as their own internal corruption.

Nicky: James Baxter

Felix: Trevor Fox

Florrie: Tracey Wilkinson

Austin Donohue / Claud Seabrook: Tom Goodman-Hill

D.I. Conrad: Andrew Byron

Commissioner Jellicoe: Darren Kuppan

Commander Fieldson: Des Yankson

Tosker / DI John Salway: Philip Correia

Harold Chapple / Eddie Wells: James Gaddas

Geordie / Ray: Luke MacGregor

Paula / Lucille: Eve Shotton

Mary: Norah Lopez Holden

Benny Barratt: Tony Hirst

John Edwards: Maanuv Thiara

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Paul Cargill

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Peter Flannery's adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4.

Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1960s. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the nouveau riche and the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s.

And the adapted series will now end with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

In episode 6, it's 1979. Mary and Tosker are barely holding it together for the kids, their son Anthony is going off the rails thanks to Geordie's influence, and Nicky is trying to get selected as a candidate for the Labour Party. But the Tories are breaching the red wall.

Mary: Norah Lopez Holden

Tosker: Philip Correia

Geordie: Luke MacGregor

Nicky / young Anthony: James Baxter

Alison / Elaine: Eve Shotton

Commissioner Jellicoe: Darren Kuppan

Florrie / Claudia Seabrook: Tracey Wilkinson

Felix: Trevor Fox

Roy Johnson / Benny Barratt : Tony Hirst

Eddie Wells: James Gaddas

Assistant Commissioner Fieldson: Des Yankson

Colin Butler: Tom Goodman-Hill

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Tony Churnside and Eloise Whitmore

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Peter Flannery's adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4.

Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1960s. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the nouveau riche and the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s.

And the adapted series will now end with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

In episode 7 it's now 1984 and the miners' strike dominates political life throughout the country. Mary is leader of Newcastle City Council and supports the miners. Her son Roy is a young police constable, with divided loyalties. Nicky's career as a photographer is taking off and Tosker, with his new wife Elaine, is becoming a wealthy businessman. No one knows where Geordie is.

Felix: Trevor Fox

Florrie / Claudia Seabrook: Tracey Wilkinson

Mary: Norah Lopez Holden

Nicky / Christopher Collins: James Baxter

Anthony: Luke MacGregor

Eddie Wells: James Gaddas

Tosker / Toby Roddy: Philip Correia

Alan Roe / The Close Encounterer / Tony Hirst

Superintendent: Darren Kuppan

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Steve Brooke

Trainee Production Co-ordinator: Emma O'Mahoney

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Peter Flannery's adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4.

Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1960s. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the nouveau riche and the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s.

And the adapted series will now end with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

In episode 8 it's 1987, the year of The Great Storm. Nicky, now a well-known photographer, has been married to Mary for two years, Tosker and Mary are now grandparents, and Geordie is still missing.

Florrie / Psychiatrist: Tracey Wilkinson

Felix: Trevor Fox

Nicky / Christopher Collins: James Baxter

Tosker: Philip Correia

Elaine / Alice: Eve Shotton

Mary / Francine: Norah Lopez Holden

Geordie: Luke MacGregor

Eddie Wells: James Gaddas

Colin Butler: Tom Goodman-Hill

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Steve Brooke

Trainee Production Co-ordinator: Emma O'Mahoney

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Award-winning series rewritten for audio by Peter Flannery.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.

And now he has rewritten his multi-award winning and highly acclaimed television series as an audio drama for BBC Radio 4. Ambitious in scale and scope, the drama chronicles the lives of four friends over three decades beginning in the 1964. The series tackles corporate, political and police corruption in the 1960s, the rise and fall of the Soho porn empires in the 1970s, the Miners' Strike of the 1980s and the rise of New Labour in the 1990s. Some of the stories are directly based on the real-life controversies involving T. Dan Smith and John Poulson in Newcastle during the 60s and 70s. The adapted series now ends with a new, tenth episode by writer Adam Usden, bringing the story up to the present day.

In episode 9, it's now 1995. Nicky has returned from Italy to Newcastle, Mary is now a Labour MP, and Tosker and Elaine are about to launch their new business - a floating nightclub on the Tyne.

Florrie / Mrs Wilkinson: Tracey Wilkinson

Priest: Andrew Byron

Nicky: James Baxter

Sean Collins: Alfie Williams

Geordie / Anthony: Luke MacGregor

Tosker: Philip Correia

Elaine: Eve Shotton

Felix: Trevor Fox

Mary: Norah Lopez Holden

Christopher Collins: Tom Goodman-Hill

Writer: Peter Flannery

Studio Engineer: Paul Clark

Sound Design: Jon Nicholls

Trainee Production Co-ordinator: Emma O'Mahoney

Producer: Melanie Harris

Executive Producer: Jeremy Mortimer

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4

Award winning series Our Friends in the North re-written for audio by Peter Flannery.

Peter Flannery's own adaptation of his highly acclaimed TV series for BBC Radio 4.