Romantic Friction

Samantha Bond and Hugh Bonneville star in this entertaining sitcom about a writer whose romance novel is interrupted by meeting a real manAuthor Anna Shelby is desperately trying to finish her latest bodice-ripper, a torrid tale of passion and jealousy set against a dazzling period background. But she's finding it hard to concentrate on her plotlines as, after years of having a purely fictional love life, she's finally met a real, live man. Unfortunately, her fantasies about Brian are constantly interrupted by her characters, chirpy Cockney muse Minnie and chisel-jawed hero Lord Robert. Concerned about the lack of authorial presence, they insist on leaping off the page to narrate their own story... As love blossoms for Anna, her creative juices begin to flow - but when Brian's friend Dougie lures him away to the Shetland Islands to build fibreglass ducks, she's hit by a bout of writer's block. With her book on hold, her deadline looming and her heart broken, is there any hope of a happy ending?Written by award-winning playwright Michelle Read, this sparkling rom-com stars Samantha Bond as Anna and Hugh Bonneville as Brian, with a full cast including Adjoa Andoh, Andrew Wincott and Michael Fenton Stevens. Production creditsWritten by Michelle ReadProduced by Dawn EllisCastAnna - Samantha BondBrian - Hugh BonnevilleDeirdre - Beth ChalmersFertility Doll - Adjoa AndohBook - Michael Fenton StevensBrenda - Michelle ReadBuddah - Kammy DarweishBob - Andrew WincottMinnie - Cathy Murphy/Sue Elliott-NichollsDougie - Ewan BaileyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:Episode 1: Thwarted 26 June 2000Episode 2: Love Hurts 10 October 2001Episode 3: Clouds 17 October 2001Episode 4: An Ending..? 24 October 2001 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd