Ten mind-altering tales from some of the best new drama writers
There's a crack in reality. Our world has brushed up against another, and something is breaking through. Ordinary people are experiencing strange disruptions, as inexplicable events and bizarre elements from the other side start to interfere with their lives...
A ghost soldier embarks on a time-travelling mission. A homeless woman discovers a portal to a parallel universe. A librarian becomes gradually invisible. A queue stretches across the North of England, as people wait years for an answer to one question. And a mother and daughter realise that someone - or something - is listening in on their conversations, and fixing their problems. These are just some of the intimate, immersive stories in this collection; all set in the same shared universe, and including seven standalones and one three-part drama.
With echoes of The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, Murmurs mixes horror, sci-fi and fantasy to gripping effect. Told through phone calls, answerphone messages, radio broadcasts, voice notes and other 'found recordings', and enhanced by an eerie, otherworldly soundscape, it will intrigue, disturb, disorientate and burrow deep under your skin. But don't be alarmed - just listen to the murmurs...
Among the casts are Peter Bankole (Peaky Blinders), Abra Thompson (This Country), Camille Coduri (King Gary), Valene Kane (The Fall) and Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World).
Production credits
Music by Mary Epworth
A BBC Cymru Wales Production
First broadcast on BBC Sounds, 9 January 2021
Over and Out
Lieutenant Beaumont - Peter Bankole
Kim - Katrina Allen
Amira - Helene Maksoud
Jimmy - Adam Courting
Written by Tom Crowley
Directed by David Devereux
When We Are Heard (Part 1)
Millie - Abra Thompson
Beth - Camille Coduri
Written by Janina Matthewson
Directed by James Robinson
Night Jungle
Eve - Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Alison - Larissa Hope
Mr Wensum - Ben Crowe
June - Claire Cage
Written by Beth Crane
Directed by Helen Perry
A Miracle
Precious - Danielle Vitalis
Temi - Doyin Ajiboye
Crazy Lady - Janice Acquah
The Reporter - Adam Courting
Written by Eno Mfon
Directed by John Norton
When We Are Heard (Part 2)
Millie - Abra Thompson
Beth - Camille Coduri
Written by Janina Matthewson
Directed by James Robinson
Last Night on Earth
Germaine - Georgia Henshaw
Detective Blake - Don Gilet
Booker - Lloyd Everitt
Ryan - Dom Francis
Written by Greer Ellison
Directed by John Norton
Disappearances
Mo - Valene Kane
Midge - Dylan Llewellyn
Midge's Mum - Eiry Thomas
Library Technician - Saikat Ahamed
Written by Jesse Schwenk
Directed by Helen Perry
Man's Best Friend
Lloyd - Alex Lawther
Nadia - Monica Sagar
Jacquie - Heather Craney
Marco - Lucio Veronesi
Police Officers - Adam Courting & Scarlett Courtney
Written by Robert Valentine
Directed by John Norton
The Queue
Elena - Adelle Leonce
Bronwyn - Gwyneth Keyworth
Neal - Ian Smith
Wilkes - Jessica Turner
Claire - Laura Christy
Carlson - Ikky Elyas
Written by Jen and Chris Sugden
Directed by David Devereux
When...