Second Thoughts

Series 1-4 of the BBC Radio 4 Sitcom

By: Jan Etherington, Gavin Petrie

Narrated by: Lynda Bellingham, James Bolam, Celia Imrie, Belinda Lang, full cast

All four series of the BBC radio comedy drama about a couple experiencing love for the second time – plus special festive episode The Fight Before Christmas

Bill and Faith are both divorcees, late in love but new to each other. As they battle to forge a relationship together, they discover that the course of true love doesn’t always run smoothly.

In these 31 episodes, they move in together, plan a wedding and deal with the challenges of married life – all the while trying to balance the demands of Gavin’s ex-wife, Liza, and her teenage children, Hannah and Joe. From bickering about the kids to worrying about money, trying to find time for romance and dealing with feelings of jealousy, the duo’s relationship comes under fire from all sides. Can they make love work the second time around?

Inspired by the real lives of its writers, husband and wife Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie, this funny, bittersweet sitcom was adapted for ITV where it ran for five seasons and was followed by an equally successful sequel, Faith in the Future. It stars Lynda Bellingham as Faith and James Bolam as Bill.

Written by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie
Produced by Pete Atkin (Series 1), Sioned Wiliam (Series 2) and Paul Schlesinger (Series 3 and 4 and The Fight Before Christmas)

First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 3 November-22 December 1988 (Series 1), 31 October-19 December 1989 (Series 2), 9 April-28 May 1991 (Series 3), 18 June-23 July 1992 (Series 4), 25 December 1992 (The Fight Before Christmas)

Cast
Faith……………………Lynda Bellingham
Bill……………………James Bolam
Hilary……………………Celia Imrie/Geraldine Fitzgerald
Liza……………………Belinda Lang
Hannah……………………Kelda Holmes/Emma Gregory/Julia Sawalha
Joe……………………Mark Denham
Grace/Jill……………………Moir Leslie
Alex……………………John Samson/Mark Straker
Ray……………………Nicholas Courtney/Ian Lindsay
Ted/Mr Burrows……………………Norman Bird
Treadwell……………………Richard Tate
Christian/Gideon/Waiter……………………Ian Targett
Richard……………………John Moffatt/Christopher Good/Geoffrey Whitehead
Steve……………………Guy Brougham
Rachel……………………Rebecca Front
Police Officer……………………Deborah Rowbottom
Dennis……………………Brian Bowles
Mr Roper……………………Danny Schiller
Marjorie……………………Jo Kendall
Registrar……………………John Baddeley
Video Man……………………Richard Tate
Cabbie……………………Ben Onwukwe
Gina……………………Danielle Allen
Kevin……………………Mark Straker/David Learner
Karel Cerny……………………Nigel Carrington
Clayton……………………David Learner
Chris……………………Peter Gunn
Louise……………………Melanie Hudson
Course Leader/Duncan……………………Nick Murchie

©2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2020 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Second Chapter comedy

It is bittersweet to listen to the inevitable growing pains of a parent who needs to start her own life. Thankfully, this comedic treatment reminds me to find the positive side of feathering an "empty nest".