Episodes

Mrs Emma Lirriper again encounters her arch lodging house rival Miss Wozenham - but in very different circumstances and with a surprisingly new outcome. After an intriguing visit from the French Consul, Emma learns of an unknown dying man in the town of Sens who has left her a legacy in his will. She, Major Jackman and Master Jemmy set off for France, arriving in Sens via Paris. There she and the Major finally meet, on his death-bed, her strange bequeather: will she find out who he is before it ...

Our favourite Victorian London landlady returns for another series of events and escapades, centred around a legacy that has been left to Emma Lirriper by an unknown person. But before the mystery of this legacy begins, we hear about and witness the strange behaviour of her reprobate brother-in-law Joshua Lirriper, the conflict between Major Jackman and Mr Buffle the tax collector, and excited happenings surrounding a house fire rescue in Norfolk Street, the Strand. Episode 1 of 3

For this last episode, the meaning of The Longer Road is finally revealed, beginning with a "Fab Four" truth-telling game. In this is the fraught love and child-complex relationship between Rebecca and Dan, and the real importance of a group of disparate outsiders to the closeted, claustrophobic society of 1970s Northern Ireland. Jimmy makes a decision about his future, before fraught psyches bring the melting pot of relationships to an explosive climax. But instead of fall-out, different forms...

Dan describes his epiphany of near drowning in the Ballycastle rock pool as Jimmy and American Elle play a sad guessing game around the details of the fraught and tragic relationship with her fiancé. Rebecca gives Jimmy a potential way out of Belfast and the deafening sound of an army helicopter forces Dan (as Donal) to relive his watery trauma: the secret and potential danger of his double identity is revealed to all. Episode 3 of 4

Off to Antrim for a music festival final day-out, the “fab four” divert to Ballycastle by the sea amid disagreements about the future of the community centre, openness between group members…and then a fatal collision with a dog. Against a backdrop of serious and deadly events in the province, more of their letters reveal Jimmy’s inner conflict about his sexuality, Dan (or is it Donal?) and his plans for the future, and American Elle’s personal Belfast tragedy. At the beach, Dan goes swimming –...

It is 1972. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, bombs are exploding and the Rainbow’s End Community Arts Centre’s “fab four” is about to disband. With their last music gig cancelled, Dan, Jimmy, Rebecca, and Elle take off for the countryside to spend a last day together. From a year previous, their letters home set the scene for the ambitions, conflicts, secrets and sadness that will follow. Episode 1 of 4

Two young Irish boys, Shay and Kieran, a gang, boyhood pranks and games to "reach the moon". Shay's uncle Peadar looms into view and he tramps home. The bed-time legend of the Sandman is a precursor to significant events - Shay's tumble into the sea, rescue by two kind neighbours, and revelation about the true nature of adults and relationships.

Rafael wakes early. It is the morning of an important job interview. Even when his rival for the post drops out, he is still interviewed. "They did not ask if I wanted the job" is the precursor to violent and life-changing events for Rafael and his wife Zofia.

In Ireland, grandfather Mr Lannigan - a "true artist" - meets with local priest Father Moylan about a matter-in-hand: ostensibly, his grandson's broken hurling stick. As the conversation develops, the real issue turns out to be something much more cruel and damaging. Resolution achieved, Lannigan's thoughts return again to his art.

Following the tragedy of Mrs Edson's death, Mrs Lirriper and Major Jackman are now her son Little Jemmy's guardians. In this final part of the story, the youngster encounters Miss Wozenham, gets lost in the metropolis, and is educated in a unique fashion by Major Jackman. who finds a new purpose in life once his little namesake has gone away to school. Episode 3 of 3

Major Jackman's many virtues extolled, he and Mrs Lirriper welcome to the lodging house newly-marrieds Mr and Mrs Edson to stay on the second floor of 81 Norfolk Street, the Strand. What follows is a classic Charles Dickens story of abandonment, heartbreak and ultimate tragedy that leaves our two protagonists much changed by the experience. Episode 2 of 3

Emma Lirriper is a minor masterpiece of Charles Dickens characterisation. We are introduced to the world of London lodging houses in the 1860s seen through her eyes, and learn how she entered the business; her views on guests, business rivals like Miss Wozenham ("lower down and over the way"), the girls she employs, Wandering Christians, and stories of amusement and mayhem. This culminates in the arrival of her future friend and confidant Major Jemmy Jackman. Episode 1 of 3

Drunken hymn-singing from Mason and Scott after Lillian's funeral kicks off this final revelatory episode. Scott has gatecrashed the event performing an impromptu eulogy to his mother. What follows is a succession of discoveries. Why is Scott really back from America? Why did he never return before? Events proceed to a, perhaps, surprising conclusion. Episode 3 of 3

After a bristling initial conversation, stepbrothers Scott and Andrew catch up on their previous 40 years apart - and beyond. Childhood relationships and the interesting background around Scott's departure to the USA keep the pot boiling. Andrew learns some home truths about his father and stepmother, the recently-deceased Lillian, with blackmail and betrayal to the fore. Episode 2 of 3

Scott is a wanderer returning. After many decades he is back in England from the USA, having heard of his mother Lillian's death and on the eve of her funeral. He meets Mason, a friend of Lillian. But there is still a closer, less genial family member to encounter. Episode 1 of 3

Having seen off the first ghost, Scrooge's education in the current lives of others during the festive season proceeds to the houses of the Cratchit family and his nephew, courtesy of a jolly Ghost of Christmas Present. With a grim parting from him, the final, mysterious spectre appears to show Scrooge a series of visions for life after death, in which his focus on money and gain "leave not a wrack behind". Now fully chastened, the miser's spirit breaks - into something much more human. Episo...

Charles Dickens' classic Yuletide tale is presented in a two-part adaptation that gives you more of the story, focusing particularly on the corrosive effects of early Victorian capitalism. In Part 1, we see Scrooge in all his business and money-focused selfishness - until Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Past show up, confronting him with long-forgotten events that end with violent consequences. Episode 1 of 2.

Edward is back from Scotland with good news from eldest daughter Greta. For Lia, it is decision time for them regarding her pregnancy. As she leaves, Edward's youngest daughter Megan arrives in a fractious mood. More family strife ensues as the "archaeological dig" on their past relationship begins again. After a few stiff drinks, new revelations on the depths of her bitterness, the teenage affair with a teacher, and some shocking truths about her miscarriage are finally revealed. Will daddy a...

The showdown happens. Angry daughter Megan meets with Lia, her dad's new and much younger partner. The discussion ranges far and wide - fatherhood and loss, bringing up children, mothers and teenagers. It all gets personal about motives and attitudes. Then the issue of Lia's new-found pregnancy rears its contentious head and major conflict ensues. Will they be "good" by the end? Episode 3 of 4.

Edward and Lia meet in a wine bar to discuss the bombshell of their relationship announcement for his grown-up daughter Megan. It is time for some honesty about his past marital infidelities and Megan's significant teenage perils and mishaps. Lia suggests that he visits Greta, his other daughter, in Scotland; but strangely, she is not drinking wine and feels a little bit queasy. This is the prelude to a second major and life-changing revelation. Episode 2 of 4.

The up-and-down relationship of a father with his grown-up daughters. In this first of four episodes, recently-bereaved Edward brings home some "interesting" news to Megan about a new romantic attachment...and quite a lot more. Cue conflict and the revisiting of sins from the past. What will Megan and her sister do?

On holiday in Spain with his brother, Geordie Chris encounters a strange, feral dog. They call him "Fella" as he follows them to a restaurant. It is then that the situation turns nasty...and deadly. But will this be the end of "Fella" for Chris?

Memories of people and places in his past life are revisited by a man recovering from serious illness. Ashcombe Hall and a summer holiday spent there with his school friend Roddy are recalled as he approaches the now-derelict country house. In the dilapidated gardens, memories of flowers and an "act of stupidity" trigger powerful emotions about past and future loss.

Mr Hobson is on a train journey back to Liverpool for the funeral of Jim Sweeney, an ex-work colleague. He is accompanied by memories of teaching at Quarry Bank - the teenage John Lennon's alma mater - cheeky "doppelganger" school photography, and paradoxical visions of atheist Jim in heaven. Teachers' nicknames, tragically unfortunate pupils, and "why me?" thoughts also flood Hobson's mind - underpinned by the optimistic words of Lennon's famous song "Imagine".