Joanna witnesses a random act of kindness and helps a friend in need.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return as the loving, long-married couple, in the 5th series of Jan Etherington’s award-winning comedy.

This week, Joanna witnesses a random act of kindness and believes they should all do more. ‘You give a little love and it all comes back to you’. Roger responds ‘So your guru is Bugsy Malone, is it?’. Her resolve is tested when she is asked to stay with her old friend, Paula, once a 60s party girl, now suffering from Alzheimers, while her exhausted husband takes a break. Joanna is apprehensive but Roger and the dog accompany her and in spite of the heartbreak and moments of panic, Joanna sees the ‘party Paula’ emerge, joyfully, as they relive old times.

Conversations from a Long Marriage is written by Jan Etherington. It is produced and directed by Claire Jones. It is a BBC Studios Production.

Wilfredo Acosta - sound engineer
Charlotte Sewter - sound assistant
Jon Calver - sound designer
Katie Baum - production coordinator

Conversations from a Long Marriage won the Voice of the Listener & Viewer Award for Best Radio Comedy in 2020, was nominated for a Writers’ Guild Award in 2022 and a British Comedy Guide award in 2024.

‘Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam have had illustrious acting careers but can they ever have done anything better than Jan Etherington’s two hander? This is 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
‘You’ve been listening at my window, Jan’. JOANNA LUMLEY
‘Sitcom is what marriage is really like – repetitive and ridiculous – and Jan’s words are some of the best ever written on the subject’. RICHARD CURTIS Show less