Conversations from a Long Marriage

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

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Comedy: Sitcoms

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam play a long-married couple trying to keep the passion alive.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam play a long-married couple. Their conversations are practical, passionate, hilarious - and familiar to every couple. Written by Jan Etherington.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 LW

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 4: 3. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

3. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Series 4

BBC Radio 4 - Conversations from a Long Marriage, Series 4, 3. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

This week, our passionate couple, Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam, are all at sea.

Loving couple Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam star in Jan Etherington’s award-winning comedy. This week: Roger’s popularity as a cruise ship speaker leaves Joanna all at sea.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return in the fourth series of Jan Etherington’s award-winning comedy, as a long-married couple in love with life and each other.  

This week, Roger is invited to talk about his Fleet Street career, on a cruise ship. Initially scathing about ‘a floating tower block’, Joanna is won round by snake-hipped Carlos, in the salsa class. Roger, meanwhile, is attracting adoring fans to his lectures. Are troubled waters ahead?    

Conversations from a Long Marriage won the Voice of the Listener & Viewer Award for Best Radio Comedy in 2020. Nominated for a Writers’ Guild Award in 2023.

Conversations from a Long Marriage is written by Jan Etherington and produced by Claire Jones.  The production coordinator is Katie Baum, the studio engineer is Wilfredo Acosta and the sound design is by Jon Calver. It is a BBC Studios Production.

‘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

‘The delicious fruit of the writer, Jan Etherington’s experience of writing lots of TV and radio, blessed by being acted by Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. Treasure this one, produced by Claire Jones. Unlike many a current Radio 4 ‘comedy’, this series makes people laugh’ GILLIAN REYNOLDS. SUNDAY TIMES

‘You’ve been listening at my window, Jan’. JOANNA LUMLEY

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 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.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return with the fourth series of this award-winning comedy.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return in Jan Etherington's award-winning comedy about a long-married couple in love with life and each other.

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Conversations from a Long Marriage

Series 4

3. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

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