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Hopes and Desires
Hopes and Desires
Apr 29, 2025 6:03 PM

Author:Michael Butt,Marcy Kahan,Nick Warburton,Jeremy Front,Gary Ogin,Prunella Scales,Roger Allam,Full Cast,Kenneth Cranham,Bill Nighy,Eleanor Bron,Philip Jackson,Rebecca Front,Indira Varma,Richard Coyle

Hopes and Desires

Seven BBC full-cast romantic comedies about love, longing and life-changing moments

Written by a host of top radio writers and starring some of Britain's finest actors, these sparkling, beautifully crafted comedy dramas are centred around people with unconscious yearnings. From the serial seducer to the lonely mother's boy, each is looking for love - but will they find it?

Vongole by Michael Butt: Oxford professor Tristram Swann's favourite pastime is wooing his female students with Petrarch and pasta. But what is he really after? Starring Bill Nighy.

The Non-Entity by Marcy Kahan: Once a successful Soviet hack, Dimitri hasn't sold a story since the fall of Communism. So why has a British publisher flown out to Moscow to see him? Starring Kenneth Cranham, Eleanor Bron and Sylvestre Le Touzel.

Toad Squad by Nick Warburton: Bitter at being retired prematurely, Reg embarks on a mission to protect the humble toad. Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root.

The Anniversary Waltz by Jeremy Front: Deli owners Max and Shirley spend their days sniping at one another - but a sudden epiphany makes them realise things have got to change... Starring Prunella Scales, Roger Allam and Rebecca Front.

Catching Heathcliff by Nick Warburton: Lindsey dreams of someone brooding and passionate - and then Morton walks into her book group... Starring Philip Jackson and Amanda Root.

Battersea Triangle by Michael Butt: Passive Dougie is trapped in a relationship with his domineering boss, Angela. When he meets the docile India, his problems seem to be over - but are they just beginning? Starring Mark Benton, Christine Kavanagh and Indira Varma.

The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis by Gary Ogin: Having had no luck with speed-dating, Maurice turns to a self-hypnosis CD to find romance. Exploring his subconscious, he finds the beautiful Rachel... Starring Richard Coyle, Prunella Scales and Sophie Winkleman.

Produced and directed by Peter Kavanagh

Vongole

Tristram - Bill Nighy

Minnie - Emma Callander

Helen - Miranda Colchester

Freddie - Stephen Critchlow

Mamma/Judy - Carolyn Jones

Written by Michael Butt

The Non-Entity

Dmitri - Kenneth Cranham

Annoushka - Eleanor Bron

Claire - Sylvestra Le Touzel

Robert - Stephen Critchlow

Written by Marcy Kahan

Toad Squad

Reg - Philip Jackson

Bel - Amanda Root

Mr Topping - Jonathan Coy

Written by Nick Warburton

The Anniversary Waltz

Shirley - Prunella Scales

Max - Roger Allam

Roszinka - Rebecca Front

Girl - Rosie Fellner

Marcy - Liza Sadovy

Toastmaster/Old man - Bruce Purchase

Written by Jeremy Front

Catching Heathcliff

Graham - Philip Jackson

Lindsey - Amanda Root

Heathcliff/Morton - Mark Straker

Postman - Nick Warburton

Written by Nick Warburton

Battersea Triangle

Dougie - Mark Benton

India - Indira Varma

Angela - Christine Kavanagh

Fiona - Emily Rose Smith

Written by Michael Butt

The Dangers of Self-Hypnosis

Maurice - Richard Coyle

Mother - Prunella Scales

Rachel - Sophie Winkleman

Abigail - Christine Kavanagh

Hypnotist/Judge - Sam Dale

Daniel - Mark Straker

Written by Gary Ogin

© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Reviews

Tremendous fun, with a big heart and gorgeous locations to get lost in - it's the perfect uplifting Christmas read, unashamedly romantic and beautifully written. Emily is this year's Queen of Christmas!

—— Veronica Henry

A spur-of-the-moment summer romance in Verona, a snowy Christmas in Dublin, a soundtrack of opera, jazz and Motown . . . For me, this is the perfect festive treat! I really enjoyed Emily Bell's believable, sympathetic characters and her sensitive and wise writing about friendship and bereavement which deliver richness and depth to a charming love story

—— Kate Eberlen

Baby It's Cold Outside captures the magic of Christmas in Dublin perfectly! A heartfelt and irresistibly romantic read to cosy up with over the festive season

—— Carmel Harrington

A refreshing romance filled with holiday spirit and second chances. The descriptions of Dublin at Christmas time alone will leave you longing for your very own trip . . .

—— Woman & Home

The most perfect, festive, heartwarming read. Curl up in front of the Christmas tree and get lost in the magic

—— Closer

With gorgeous descriptions of a festive Dublin, this beautifully romantic tale is particularly evocative at this magical time of year

—— My Weekly

A great read that's not just for the holiday season. The descriptions will make you feel as though you're walking down Grafton Street with her

—— Belfast Telegraph

Cosy up with this fab festive read!

—— Sun

Included in 'Best Books'

—— Woman

This uplifting read is full of Christmas magic and perfectly captures the sparkly delights of Dublin in the festive season

—— My Weekly

Trisha Ashley delivers yet another Christmas cracker

—— My Weekly

The pleasure of the novel lies in the tension between the familiar story of patriarchal injustice and a more complex investigation of supernatural belief and disbelief. It's a thrilling read. But, beyond the thrill, is the beauty of the language. Lancashire dialect and vocabulary are used to immense poetic affect, disarmingly evocative of time and place. The characters too, are well drawn and multi-faceted and its closure is both deeply satisfying and truly sad. A pleasure to read - with an undercurrent of genuine fear.

—— Annie Garthwaite, author of CECILY

A gorgeous gothic novel ... sure to be loved by fans of The Essex Serpent and The Mercies ... Elizabeth Lee has conjured an engrossing tale of young love and a shattering story of the intolerance that reigned during the long shadow of the Witch Trials.

—— Northern Life Magazine

Elizabeth Lee's historical debut is a powerful tale of love, loyalty and prejudice.

—— CultureFly

Rich and lyrical

—— Heat

Inventive.

—— Bookmunch

Utterly and completely wonderful: an intelligent, forensic portrait of a family. A thrillingly honest depiction of a long marriage and an unsentimental look at the lives of their four children, which also happens to be a hugely engaging, sometimes very funny, page-turner

—— Marian Keyes

Liane Moriarty is back with another tour de force

—— Grazia

Acutely observed and often poignant, this is a brilliant portrayal of a long marriage, warts and all. Just as compelling [as Big Little Lies] - the story of a family that appeared perfect but is unravelling at top speed

—— Sunday Express

Full of realistic characters and sharp human insights

—— Good Housekeeping

Deliciously dark . . . An utterly absorbing mystery that will hook you in

—— Real People

[A] sharp and perceptive tale of ambition, pressure and family politics

—— Daily Mail

Moriarty is excellent - amusing and astute - on the small indignities that make up a marriage, a family and a life . . . Possesses the insight and warmth that Moriarty brings to all her books

—— Guardian

The latest book from one of your favourite authors

—— Prima

Thrilling, a masterclass

—— Sun

Clever & relatable . . . Explores sibling bonds, parental relationships & how events can change your future forever

—— Woman & Home

A real pleasure to read

—— Daily Mail

With heart, humour and a killer plot - this is another smash hit read

—— Best

The perfect mix of edge-of-your-seat plotting, well-crafted characters and a satisfying ending

—— Good Housekeeping

A deliciously dark tense mystery drama

—— Good Housekeeping

Thrilling

—— Grazia

This will keep you guessing until the end

—— Red

If you love a good mystery with deep emotion at its heart, this is the novel for you

—— Living North

Ingenious . . . This is one book you can't miss out on. Moriarty has an extraordinary talent. Thrilling

—— Female First

There is not a word wasted. I could not put it down

—— Today UK News

The ending is witty and satisfying, but comes with a dark twist. Apples Never Fall is another enjoyable offering full of intrigue, suspense and surprises, sure to delight

—— Press Association

Praise for Liane Moriarty

—— -

Wise, honest, beautifully observed. One of the few writers I'll drop anything for

—— Jojo Moyes

Staggeringly brilliant, literally unputdownable

—— Sophie Hannah

Keeps you guessing until the very end - perfect summer read

—— Reese Witherspoon

Moriarty writes vividly, wittily and wickedly

—— Sunday Express

Straight-from-life characters, knife-sharp insight and almost unbearable suspense will have you racing through it

—— Good Housekeeping

As brilliantly accomplished as it is dark, twisty and compulsive

—— Heat

A hell of a good book. Funny and scary

—— Stephen King

Riveting drama packed with suspense and secrets

—— Woman & Home

Like drinking a pink Cosmo laced with arsenic . . . a fun, engaging and sometimes disturbing read

—— USA Today

Perfect

—— Hello

Fascinating and compassionate

—— Daily Telegraph

I loved every line of it

—— Louise Candlish

Funny and captivating

—— Closer

A cracking story cleverly told

—— Fabulous
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