PODCASTS/AUDIOBOOKS
Halfway
Executive produced by Idris and Sabrina Elba, this scripted sci-fi mystery thriller stars Lenny Henry, Patricia Allison, Arinze Kene and George Mackay. It tackles the hot topic of AI and the ethics surrounding it. Fictional tech company Halfway is a leading player in the field of AI and offers customers the chance to upload their minds so that when they die their loved ones will be able to communicate with an AI simulation of them. A year after the death of her brother Mark (Kene), Florence (Allison) is still grieving and decides to visit the offices of Halfway to speak to the simulation of her sibling. However, rather than offering her solace and closure, the encounter throws up some uncomfortable questions.
Screenshot BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
In this engaging series Mark Kermode and Ellen E Jones take a deep dive into film and television. Each episode takes the listener on a fascinating journey around the world of cinema and TV. In a recent episode they looked at the depiction of divorce on screen, including a discussion on the comedic takes on the subject in 1930s screwball comedies such as His Girl Friday, an interview with Rob Brydon who created what many consider the ultimate divorce sitcom Marion and Geoff. There is a chat with screenwriter Abi Morgan whose BBC series The Split was set in a high-end London legal firm specialising in divorce. Other episodes explore the links between film and fashion, bodybuilding on screen and film censorship and classification.
You Are Here BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
This 10-part adaptation of David Nicholls’ latest novel You Are Here – launched in the wake of the huge success of the Netflix series based on his bestselling novel One Day – is narrated by Sally Phillips and Jim Howick. Two lonely, middle-aged people are thrown together by a mutual friend who believes they should both get out more. Michael is a Geography teacher in a Yorkshire school and struggling to get over his divorce. Then his colleague Cleo suggests that the long, solitary walks he’s been taking might actually be more fun with company, for example with her freelance copy editor friend Marnie who works alone in her London flat. A long weekend walking in the Lake District takes the pair on an interesting journey.
Uncanny USA BBC Sounds, review by Yvette Huddleston
Danny Robins has been unnerving people in the UK with his various series about the supernatural and now he is turning his attention to America to uncover more eerie events that defy explanation. He explores stories of UFOs, cover-ups and the legend of Bigfoot. In the opening episode, Robins meets Marcus who used to love meeting his eccentric aunt Jean who ran a witch shop in New Orleans selling candles, spells and Ouija boards. After his aunt’s tragic death in Hurricane Katrina, her belongings are stored at Marcus’s grandfather’s house in South Georgia. Then one night Marcus and his cousin, going through the stuff, find the Ouija board and make the mistake of trying to make contact with Jean. Spooky mayhem ensues.