Conversations From A Long Marriage to return for two more series

Tuesday 18th October 2022, 12:27pm

Radio 4 has ordered Series 4 and Series 5 of Conversations From A Long Marriage
Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam will record Series 4 this December, for broadcast in February 2023
A book featuring scripts from the first two series of the comedy will be published in November

Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam will return for Series 4 and Series 5 of Conversations From A Long Marriage, the Radio 4 comedy created by Jan Etherington.

The show focuses on a couple who have been married for over 40 years. Children of the Sixties, they're still free spirits, drawn together by their passion for music - and each other.

The show launched as a pilot in 2018, with the six-part third series broadcast in April.

Etherington has previously explained that she was motivated to create the comedy as she was "tired of my generation being portrayed as golfing caravanners with no reference to how they were in their youth.

"I wrote it for Joanna Lumley because she epitomises that ageless style and curiosity for living in the moment. Roger Allam is absolutely wonderful, one of the gods of radio and it was just magical to see them together, they are so in tune and they genuinely like each other."

Series 4 has now been written and will be recorded in December, to be broadcast in 2023. The six episodes have been provisionally scheduled to be aired in the 6:30pm slot on Wednesdays from 15th February.

The new run will see the long married loving couple dealing with a new, young rescue dog, a feisty old auntie, handing out advice to friends and godchildren - and "sailing away into the sunset".

Series 5 will then be written and recorded next year, and is expected to be broadcast in 2024.

Jan Etherington has also been busy compiling edited versions of eight scripts from the first two series of the comedy to form a new book. Set to be published on 3rd November by Souvenir Press, it's described as a publication that will "resonate with couples of any age - but especially those who are still dancing in the kitchen, singing in the car and trying to keep the passion alive", and "a perfect Christmas present for couples everywhere".

The cover quotes Lumley as saying "Jan Etherington has the pen of an angel", with Allam adding "Being 'married' to Joanna Lumley has been a complete joy".

Talking to British Comedy Guide, Etherington says: "Conversations... is the show that keeps on giving - five series and a book of the scripts! Joanna, Roger, producer Claire Jones and I couldn't be happier that the listeners - and BBC Radio 4 - love it as much as we do."

The first three series of Conversations From A Long Marriage are available now via BBC Sounds

Conversations From A Long Marriage - the book of the scripts - available from bookshops and online...

Conversations From A Long Marriage

By Jan Etherington

Joanna and Roger have been married for over forty years. Children of the Sixties, they're still free spirits, drawn together by their passion for music - and each other.

Conversations From A Long Marriage is exactly that: following conversations that take them from the local café, to their kitchen table, taking in her resentment of new glasses - a symbol of ageing - and fury at being lectured by the dental hygienist. He has a dodgy knee and is on statins, and when they discuss the marriage break-up of their closest friends, Sally and Peter, there's jealousy and talk of affairs. She suggests there are advantages to single beds, separate holidays and wants to go clubbing in Ibiza for her imminent 'big' birthday.

Witty, big-hearted and a whole lot of fun, Conversations From A Long Marriage is a collection of eight scripts from the first two series of the Radio 4 comedy starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam, and will resonate with couples of any age - but especially those who are still dancing in the kitchen, singing in the car and trying to keep the passion alive.

First published: Thursday 3rd November 2022

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