Audiobooks by Sharon Kelly

Fault Lines: Money, Sex and Blood: A BBC Radio 4 drama series

Glenda Jackson stars in this compelling drama series inspired by Émile Zola's Rougon-Macquart series, highlighting different aspects of contemporary Britain In 2015, double Oscar winner Glenda Jackson made a triumphant return to acting in Radio 4's Blood, Sex and Money, a radical reimagining of Émile Zola's Rougon-Macquart cycle. Now, she reprises her role as matriarch/narrator in this eclectic mix of dramas inspired by Zola's novels, but set in modern Britain. Constance is confined to her sick bed and dying of motor neurone disease. Her body is paralysed, but her mind runs free, seeking out stories from the extended family she has long refused to acknowledge. As she delves into their lives, she uncovers dark secrets, lies and deceit. Has bad blood seeped down through the generations to corrupt them all, or is there a chink of light in the familial fault lines, where love and hope can flourish? In these three series, exploring British society through the lens of money, sex and blood, we meet the members of her flawed clan - from her son Miles, born into wealth and privilege, to her great-great-cousin Hannah and great-niece Natalie, struggling to survive in a world of zero-hours contracts, foodbanks and precarious social housing. Whether rich or poor, all have been shaped by the powerful driving forces of capitalism, desire and DNA... Written by a host of top dramatists including the award-winning Christopher Reason, Roy Williams, Eve Steele and Michael Symmons Roberts, these intimate, immersive dramas are performed by a stellar cast including Robert Glenister, Gillian Kearney, Don Gilet, Siobhan Finneran, Eleanor Bron and Rudolph Walker. Produced and directed by Pauline Harris and Gary Brown Sound design by Steve Brooke, Sharon Hughes and Simon Highfield First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 16-21 February 2020 (Money), 10-17 October 2020 (Sex), 18-26 January 2022 (Blood) © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Becky Prestwich, Christopher Reason, Esther Wilson, Eve Steele, Fiona Evans, James O'neill, Kathrine Smith, Michael Simmons Roberts, Roy Williams, Sharon Kelly, Tom Fry (Author), Don Gilet, Eleanor Bron, Gillian Kearney, Glenda Jackson, Mina Anwar, Robert Glenister, Rudolph Walker, Siobhan Finneran (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brief Lives: Series 7-11

Series 7-11 of the BBC radio drama about Frank Twist and his team of legal eagles, starring David Schofield Frank Twist and Sarah Gold run The Agency, a paralegal firm based in sunny Manchester. With the help of their team of freelancers, they operate a round-the-clock advice service, going into police stations across the North West to offer help and support to those in custody. In these 26 episodes, their clients include the good, the bad and the ugly: from a teenager pulled in for texting an indecent photo of his girlfriend to a man detained for suspected arson at a primary school. There’s also the high-powered lawyer and her daughter caught with drugs after a house party, the naked young woman arrested for protesting against the fur trade, the judge accused of rape, the football hero with feet of clay and the local gangster’s son who gets into some serious trouble. On top of the challenges they face professionally, Frank and Sarah must also navigate their problematic personal lives. Recovering from a stroke, Frank is preparing to make a momentous decision about his future, and his complicated relationship with Sarah comes under further strain when buried truths are brought to light... Witty, sharp and full of twists, Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly’s thrilling legal drama stars David Schofield as Frank, with Kathryn Hunt and Sally Dexter as Sarah. Created by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly Written by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly, Nuala O’Sullivan (Series 7 Episode 2), Lizi Patch (Series 7 Episode 4), Philip Meeks (Series 8 Episode 2, Series 10 Episode 4), Michael Livesey (Series 8 Episode 5, Series 11 Episode 3) Produced and directed by Gary Brown Music by Carl Harms Starring David Schofield as Frank Twist

Sharon Kelly, Tom Fry (Author), David Schofield, Denise Welch, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brief Lives: Series 1-6: The BBC Radio 4 full-cast psychological crime drama

The first six series of the popular radio drama set in a Manchester legal practice, starring David Schofield Frank Twist and Sarah Gold lead a maverick team of freelance paralegals operating in the mean(ish) streets of Manchester. Their agency operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, dispatching legal representatives to set free burglars, muggers and even some innocent people who find themselves on the wrong side of a cell door. Frank and Sarah have a history, and a child, but now their relationship is purely business, and in these 30 episodes, they and their colleagues deal with cases ranging from shoplifting to attempted murder. Among their clientele are a suspected rapist, a young teacher accused of having an affair with a sixth-former, a girl arrested for assaulting a police officer and a local councillor who’s been caught selling drugs. In addition, Sarah and Frank themselves become the subjects of police interest when they’re called into Manchester Central for questioning – and that’s just the start of their Kafkaesque journey... Created by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly, these gripping dramas combine complex crime stories with witty humour. David Schofield stars as Frank Twist, with Gina Bellman, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Kathryn Hunt and Caroline Burns Cooke as Sarah Gold. Written by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly, Elizabeth Heery (Series 4 Episode 3, Series 5 Episode 4), Eve Steele and Ed Jones (Series 4 Episode 4), Eve Steele (Series 5 Episode 2), Lizi Patch (Series 6 Episode 2), Nuala O’Sullivan (Series 6 Episode 4) Produced and directed by Susan Roberts (Series 1), Gary Brown (Series 2-6) Music by Carl Harms

Sharon Kelly, Tom Fry (Author), David Schofield, Denise Welch, Kwame Kewi-Armah, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brief Lives: The Complete Series 4: Complete

Series Four of the show set in a Manchester legal practice. In these six episodes, the cases Frank Twist and his team must deal with include a pop entrepreneur arrested for suspected fraud, a young teacher alleged to have had an affair with a sixth former, two assault charges and a youth arrested for attempted murder. Starring David Schofield as Frank, Kathryn Hunt as Sarah and Jonjo O'Neill as Declan. Written by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly. Produced by Gary Brown. Original music by Gary Harms.

Others, Sharon Kelly, Tom Fry (Author), David Schofield, Emma Atkins (Narrator)

Audiobook

Brief Lives: The Complete Series 3: Series 3

A series of four BBC Radio 4 plays set in a Manchester legal practice, written by Tom Fry and Sharon Kelly. Frank Twist and his bunch of legal reps return for another series of adventures on the mean-ish streets of Manchester. In the first play, Frank's best mate Mickey has finally met a young Russian woman who will put up with him, his music and his socks. But is she just using him? The second play sees Debby representing a posh, middle aged good time girl who has been held at the airport on suspected drugs charges. Meanwhile Sarah's sister suddenly shows up. In the third play Sarah is called to an army base to deal with a violent incident between two female soldiers. Who is telling the truth? And Doug goes to bat for Frank's son Louis when he's accused of being a serial biter in the nursery. In the fourth and final play, Frank is chipper; he's finally got his own parking space at the local nick. Life doesn't get any better. Starring David Schofield as Frank, Emma Atkins as Debbie and Tracey-Ann Oberman as Sarah. Also featuring in the cast are Eric Potts, Beth Palmer, Jonathan Oliver, Lisa Allen, James Quinn and Isaac Whitmore. Produced by Gary Brown, with original music by Carl Harms. Originally broadcast 28 April 2010 - 19 May 2010 in the 'Afternoon Play' slots.

Sharon Kelly, Tom Fry (Author), , David Schofield, Emma Atkins, Tracy-Ann Oberman (Narrator)

Audiobook