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Spread a Little Happiness

Series 2

Episode 1: What Are We Going to Do About Maria?

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 Extra

Written by John Godber and Jane Thornton.

Debra Stephenson plays Hope, newly divorced and helping her old schoolfriend Jodie with her new project, bringing designer sandwiches to the hinterland of Hull. But Hull seems more interested in bumper breakfast baps than smoked salmon bagels, and Jodie's had to go to Portugal in a hurry, leaving Hope to hold the fort. So the arrival of Hope's cousin Maria, from Dagenham (Nicola Duffett) is a bonus, until she starts bringing her southern ideas to a northern makeover, and her advice to Hope's relationship with ex-husband Gavin.

Jodie's husband Dave is none too pleased with the makeover either, but comes round when Hope and Maria agree to look after his Mam while he plumbs in toilets in Goole. Add in a persistent swain in the form of passionate roadmender Ray , triumphant divorcee and anxious would-be poet Jenny, posh restaurant reviewer Anita and Hope's moody teenage daughter Carrie, and you have all the ingredients for six episodes of radio bliss.

Cast:
Hope ..... Debra Stephenson
Maria ..... Nicola Duffett
Dave ..... Neil Dudgeon
Mam ..... Anne Reid
Ray ..... Shaun Prendergast
Gavin ..... Ralph Brown
Jenny ..... Sarah Moyle
Anita ..... Sherry Baines
Carrie ..... Elizabeth Godber
Eve ..... Helen Longworth
Bob ..... Ben Crowe
Monty ..... Stephen Critchlow
Blinds man ..... James Weaver

Producer/Director: Chris Wallis
An Autolycus production for BBC Radio 4. Show less

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