My Life with Flu 

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15 Minute Drama

Drama

Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations

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Sharon Morgan

William Hope

Simon Armstrong

Hannah Daniel

John Norton

Eiry Thomas

Sarah Woods

James Robinson

15 Minute Drama: My Life with Flu: Episode 5

My Life with Flu

Episode 5

BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama, My Life with Flu, Episode 5

2014: Jill, now 71, runs into an old familiar face at the chemists.

October 2014: Can an old familiar face at the chemists be a last shot at happiness for the 71-year-old Jill? Stars William Hope.

A love story, about flu.

It's October 2014 and Jill is now 71. When she runs into an old familiar face at the chemists, she has one last shot at happiness. But the flu has other ideas.

Written by Sarah Woods, My Life With Flu has been produced in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.

 In this omnibus of five episodes, it follows the story of Jill across five decades as she struggles with the highs and lows of life, love and viruses. At the same time the story tracks the life of Hong Kong Flu – how, over 45 years, it has traversed the globe, evolved and is ultimately being superseded by new, more virulent strains, such as Swine Flu.

The series uses cutting edge science – of transmission, viral evolution and genetic predisposition – to tell the story of flu, and investigate the unique qualities of Jill's genome which make her a 'severe responder'. 

Paul Kellam, Virus Genomics team leader at the Sanger Institute worked closely with writer Sarah Woods to weave the science seamlessly into the story. The drama underlines the deep connection human beings have to the viruses that survive through us, and how illness can shape the course of our lives.

Jill.... Sharon Morgan
David.... William Hope
John.... Simon Armstrong
Polly.... Hannah Daniel
Doctor.... John Norton
Narrator.... Eiry Thomas

Directed by James Robinson
A BBC Cymru/Wales Production first broadcast in 2014.

15 Minute Drama: My Life with Flu

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.

By Sarah Woods. Jill's story is told across five decades. A love story - about flu.

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