Conversations from a Long Marriage

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Podcasts

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 5: 2. I Want to Break Free

2. I Want to Break Free

Series 5

BBC Radio 4 - Conversations from a Long Marriage, Series 5, 2. I Want to Break Free

Tension mounts as the internet goes down, and Roger breaks a tooth.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam are loving, long-marrieds in Jan Etherington’s award-winning comedy. This week: tension mounts, as the internet goes down and Roger breaks a tooth.

Tension mounts as the internet goes down and Roger breaks a tooth.

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam return with the fifth series of Jan Etherington’s award-winning comedy, as long-marrieds, passionate about life and each other. 

This week, Joanna is tetchy because the internet is down and Roger is generally grumpy. ‘Is this all because you had to buy trousers in a bigger size?’ she enquires. A friend asks them to model her new clothes collection but Roger cracks a tooth before the photoshoot, which Joanna thinks he’s done deliberately. The ‘prop’ is a Harley Davidson motorbike, which gives Roger groin strain but brings Joanna fond memories of their 60s Harley ride. Keen to do it once more, she plans to book an Easy Rider trip but the internet has gone down again. Or has it?   

Conversations from a Long Marriage is written by Jan Etherington. It is produced and directed by Claire Jones. It is a BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

Wilfredo Acosta - sound engineer
Charlotte Sewter - studio 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

Conversations from a Long Marriage: Series 5

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 star in Jan Etherington's award-winning comedy.

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Conversations from a Long Marriage

Series 5

2. I Want to Break Free

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4