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15 Minute Drama

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15 Minute Drama: How to Have a Perfect Marriage

Izzy Watts

Katriona Perrett

Julia Ford

Andrew Hayden-Smith

Nicholas McInerny

Melanie Harris

15 Minute Drama: How to Have a Perfect Marriage: Episode 5

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Episode 5

How to Have a Perfect Marriage

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, How to Have a Perfect Marriage, Episode 5

Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers.

Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers. Naomi and Ella are having to work things out in spite of their self-absorbed parents.

The family rally together when Ella has to go to the police for a caution, following her arrest on an anti-fracking demo. It's time for the girls to unburden all their secrets to their parents, including Max's blackmail threat. They walk up Primrose Hill, together, to remember someone they all loved.

Where are we, a year on in the life of Jack, Karen and their children? We'll let the girls tell us - this fourth series belongs to them. 

Naomi (18) and Ella (16) have had to deal with the seismic changes to family life inflicted on them by their gay dad - and are remarkably sane, considering. Karen's been forced to sell the family home, so the girls live with her in a small flat with an ageing dog. 

Naomi's managing a bar and bringing strangers home to her bed. She has no intention of going to university. Ella's throwing herself into local green politics and is determined to keep her beloved dog Bruno alive. Karen works all the time and Jack's preoccupied with his new young boyfriend, The Body. The girls are thrown back on their own resources with mixed success. It's a relief when a crisis forces the family to come back together. 

The series features the same cast, led by Greg Wise and Julia Ford, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. 

Writer: Nicholas McInerny
Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore
Director/Producer: Melanie Harris
Executive Producer ..... Jo Meek

A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Fourth series of Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships

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