Drama of the Week

When a system falters, who finds the courage to speak the truth?
Maya, a young first-time mother, Jo, an overwhelmed trainee GP on rotation, and Kate, a fiercely principled hospital chaplain find their lives unexpectedly intertwined following a birth that doesn't go to plan.
Part of the Secrets and Lies season, Al Smith's drama pulls back the curtain on a labour ward under intense pressure, exploring what happens when real lives fall between the cracks of an overstretched healthcare system. It explores responsibility, courage, silence and the fragile trust that holds patients and professionals together.
KATE......Christine Bottomley
JO.....Anneika Rose
MAYA.....Sade Malone
SUE.....Jenny Platt
BEN.....Darren Kuppan
JOHN....Graeme Hawley
RAY.....James Quinn
Written by Al Smith
Directed by Nadia Molinari
Sound Design and Technical Production by Sharon Hughes
Production Co-ordinator - Ben Hollands
Technical Producer - Kelly Young
Casting Manager - Alex Curran
Medical Advisors - Fran Bennett and Joe Lee
A BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

The true story of how in 1956 Prime Minister, Anthony Eden, lied to Parliament and took Britain to war under false pretences, told through the eyes of a young civil servant, Donald Logan.
Within days of his appointment as assistant to the Foreign Secretary, Logan is sent on a secret mission to Paris and soon finds himself at the centre of a major tripartite conspiracy. Together with representatives of France and Israel, a plan is hatched to attack Egypt following their nationalising of the Suez canal.
Thirty years later as Government documents are to be declassified Logan must decide whether to tell his side of the story.
Richard Monks' drama is based on several sources including Logan’s own unpublished memoir.
It includes some imagined scenes.
Donald Logan ..... Jamie Parker
Irene Logan ..... Fenella Woolgar
Anthony Eden ..... Joseph Millson
Selwyn Lloyd ..... John Heffernan
Patrick Dean ..... Elliot Cowan
Christian Pineau ..... Raad Rawi
Ben Gurion ..... Elliot Levey
Moshe Dayan ..... Shai Matheson
Writer ..... Richard Monks
Director ..... Sally Avens
A BBC Studios Audio Production

Paul lives a quiet, tightly controlled life, dividing his time between the gym and his local pub. A former boxer, he keeps his distance from the world. Then he meets Duncan. Charismatic, reckless and impossible to ignore, Duncan draws Paul into an unlikely friendship that begins to change everything.
As their bond deepens, Paul finds himself pulled towards excitement, risk and a sense of belonging he thought he’d lost. But beneath the humour and warmth of their connection lies a growing unease, as trust is tested and lines begin to blur. Told through shifting perspectives, Like A Brother is a tense psychological crime drama about friendship, loyalty and the danger of letting the wrong person too close.
Paul ..... Felix Scott
Duncan ..... Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong
Jennifer ..... Ayesha Antoine
Tommy ..... Tom Cawte
Conor ..... Jason Barnett
Directed by Tracey Neale
Writer:
Philip Palmer, an experienced and talented writer, is incredibly good at writing these types of stories and characters as seen in his previous work for Radio 4 - Keeping The Wolf Out, Hatton Garden Heist and Precious Blood.
Produced and Directed by Tracey Neale
Sound Design, Keith Graham and Andrew Garrett
Production Co-Ordinator, Kate Gray
Casting Manger, Alex Curran
A BBC Studios Production

Darkly comic crime thriller by D.C. Jackson.
Kerry’s living a life of quiet desperation.
Her identical twin appears to be affluent and successful.
When Kerry turns to her sister for help, the consequences are worse than she could possibly have imagined, for both of them…
Cast:
Leanne and Kerry … Gabriel Quigley
Bob … Grant O’Rourke
Kasia … Leah Bryne
Stewart … Jonathan Watson
The Minister … Gavin Mitchell
Studio Production: Andy Hay and Gav Murchie
Production Coordinator: Ellie Marsh
Original music and sound design: Fraser Jackson
Additional keyboards: Tony Graham
A BBC Audio Scotland Production directed by Kirsty Williams

Nick Warburton's comedy drama returns. It takes us to the Fens and the Platters' boatyard nestled on the river.
The Platter community is an eccentric one and at its heart is the chaotic pairing of Pat and his sister Libby. Libby, after a long absence, appears to be back to stay and so does Ravi, the newcomer, who Libby took under her wing. Can they all muddle along together in harmony? Possibly but there are hidden Platter secrets still waiting to be uncovered.
Libby ..... Monica Dolan
Pat ..... Oliver Chris
Ravi ..... Waleed Akhtar
Greg ..... Django Bevan
Directed by Tracey Neale
This second story, narrated by Pat, kicks off with a crisis: Martine, the boatyard Manager (who had a fear of water) has walked out. Her shock departure presents Pat with a problem. Either he runs the boatyard himself or employs someone else. Either idea makes him anxious.
Libby proposes a plan. Both her and Ravi will apply for the job. She’ll ensure Ravi gets it. Although Ravi has experience (he hasn’t) and bristles with good ideas (daydreams), is this ever going to work out for the best?
There are gorgeous trips along the river and over to Blake’s Island. Plans need to be made to thwart a troublesome visitor. But there are unresolved issues and hidden secrets between Pat and Libby that need to be uncovered.
The Writer:
Nick Warburton's wonderful, gentle touch with family dramas is no secret to Radio 4 listeners, as shown in Mardle Fen, Holding Back the Tide, Downstream, and The Archers.
The Cast:
Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood, The Change)
Oliver Chris (Rivals, My Lady Jane)
Waleed Akhtar (Won an Olivier Award for his play 'The P Word')
Django Bevan (2025 BBC Carleton Hobbs winner)
Producer & Director: Tracey Neale
Technical Producers:
Keith Graham and Sam Dickinson
Production Co-Ordinators: Sara Benaim and Clare Ewing
This drama was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4.