British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Bleak Expectations. Image shows from L to R: Hardthrasher (Geoffrey Whitehead), Aunt Lily (Celia Imrie), Young Pip (Tom Allen), Mr Gently Benevolent (Anthony Head), Sir Philip Bin (Richard Johnson), Harry Biscuit (James Bachman). Copyright: BBC
Bleak Expectations

Bleak Expectations

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2007 - 2012
  • 30 episodes (5 series)

Radio comedy following the adventures of Pip Bin as he struggles against the cruel plotting of his evil guardian Mr Gently Benevolent. Stars Tom Allen, Anthony Head, Richard Johnson, James Bachman, Susy Kane and more.

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All series

Series 1 (2007)

The idyllic life of young Pip Bin is ruined by the scheming of his exceedingly evil guardian, Mr Gently Benevolent. Pip must also battle the evil Hardthrasher brothers.

Series 2 (2008)

Pip Bin struggles against the cruel plotting of his evil guardian Mr Gently Benevolent, recently returned from the dead, and the evil Sternbeater brothers.

Series 3 (2009)

The third series begins several years after the death - for the second time - of Mr Benevolent. All seems well as Pip Bin enjoys fame and wealth for his hugely popular invention, the bin, until a ghastly incident at a seance results in the spirit of the evil Mr Benevolent reappearing to wreak more havoc.

Series 4 (2010)

Hero Pip sees Gently Benevolent and locked up in prison, and apparently repentant of his crimes. But late one foggy night when Pip is attacked with a bowl of sinister custard he realises a new form of evil is stalking the streets of London, and he is obliged to ask for help from his erstwhile foe. Meanwhile his best friend, Harry Biscuit, claims to be having terrible problems with an angry badger, but is all as it seems?

Series 5 (2012)

A fifth series of the Victorian-set comedy. Mr Gently Benevolent is back doing evil things again... but is Pip secretly in love with him? This series sees action in India and Antarctica, amongst other places. Harry turns evil for a bit too.

List all episodes

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