British Comedy Guide
Reluctant Persuaders. Image shows from L to R: Amanda (Josie Lawrence), Joe (Mathew Baynton), Hardacre (Nigel Havers), Teddy (Rasmus Hardiker). Copyright: ABsoLuTeLy Productions
Reluctant Persuaders

Reluctant Persuaders

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 2015 - 2021
  • 20 episodes (4 series)

Radio 4 sitcom set in London's worst advertising agency. Stars Nigel Havers, Josie Lawrence, Mathew Baynton, Rasmus Hardiker, Olivia Nixon and Kieran Hodgson

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Episode menu

Series 3, Episode 5 - The Appliance of Science

Hardacre's ad agency are pitching to the University of Oxfordshire, an online-only institution dedicated to internet learning.

Further details

Hardacre's ad agency are pitching to the University of Oxfordshire, an online-only institution dedicated to internet learning. Their efforts are complicated by the arrival at the agency of Elgin Hardacre, hired by his father as a copywriter - despite having no relevant skills or experience. While Hardacre shows no interest in his son and Amanda dismisses him as an idiot and resolves to fire him by the end of the week, Joe and Teddy take pity on Elgin and take him under their wing. In the process, they discover that however bad Hardacre might be as a boss, he's infinitely worse as a father - and Elgin in turn reveals some peculiar beliefs.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 1st November 2018
Time
6:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Nigel Havers Hardacre
Josie Lawrence Amanda
Mathew Baynton Joe
Rasmus Hardiker Teddy
Olivia Nixon Laura
Guest cast
James Northcote Elgin
Writing team
Edward Rowett Writer
Mark Evans Script Editor
Production team
Alan Nixon Director
Gordon Kennedy Producer

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