Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20130812 | Karen's a busy mum of teenage girls, contentedly burbling along in her humdrum, happy-enough life. She finds an odd text on husband Jack's phone. Her confrontation reveals a seismic shock she did not see coming. This is writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships. Jack and Karen are nothing out of the ordinary. They have been happily married for years and are convinced every problem can be worked through. Until Jack decides he really is gay. Seeking stability at all costs for themselves and for the children, they navigate the bumpy journey of finding a lover for Jack by going for the 'closed loop' arrangement. It sounds just about possible - in theory. But getting consensus all round for their 3-way partnership is far from straightforward. And Karen doesn't want to share her husband. She wants everything to stay the same. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Music: instrumental by Greg Wise, vocals by Amy Liptrott Producer: Melanie Harris Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen is content enough in her humdrum life. Then she finds an odd text on Jack's phone. |
| 01 | 20150810 | Karen knows her much-loved husband of 19 years is gay. A new normality reigns. Jack stays with his boyfriend Tom on agreed nights away and slips back into the house before the children get up. But now he wants to tell the girls. Is there a best way? Karen persuades him to wait until the summer holidays begin. But Jack is impatient - and impetuous. In this second series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack has come out to his wife Karen but not to the kids. An agreement between consenting adults is one thing - but once you tell the children, all bets are off. She and Jack may have signed up for a new type of marriage, where small deceptions and unspoken fantasies are replaced with something new - a kind of radical honesty. But can they make this work as a whole family and keep the kids secure? The same cast come together, led by Julia Ford and Greg Wise, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Written by Nicholas McInerny Music by Greg Wise Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen knows her much-loved husband of 19 years is gay. And now it is time to tell the kids |
| 01 | 20160627 | Can Karen and Jack stay married, even though he's openly gay? They're living their lives, getting on with their work, the kids seem to be fine - and then Jack drops a bombshell. He wants to buy his own flat and move on - but that means the family house must be sold. Karen is outraged. After all he's put them through, he now wants to uproot them as well? In this third series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack and Karen are at a crossroads. Two years after he came out, they're still married, still close, have a regular date night each week and are both involved in steering their girls through their teenage years. But time doesn't stand still and Jack wants to live openly as a gay man. He wants to find out what that could mean. He also wants to be a good dad and keep his family healthy and safe. So it's time for more negotiations with Karen and the girls to see how they can remain a close and loving family and allow each other to grow in their own different ways. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Alisdair McGregor Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Can Karen and gay husband Jack stay wed? Are they hanging on because they cannot let go? |
| 01 | 20170626 | Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers. In this first episode, Naomi and Ella receive a legacy of £10,000 from Ben, their dad Jack's best friend. They are overjoyed until they learn Jack has received nothing - and he's broke. Where are we, a year on in the life of Jack, Karen and their children? We'll let the girls tell us - this fourth series belongs to them. Naomi (18) and Ella (16) have had to deal with the seismic changes to family life inflicted on them by their gay dad - and are remarkably sane, considering. Karen's been forced to sell the family home, so the girls live with her in a small flat with an ageing dog. Naomi's managing a bar and bringing strangers home to her bed. She has no intention of going to university. Ella's throwing herself into local green politics and is determined to keep her beloved dog Bruno alive. Karen works all the time and Jack's preoccupied with his new young boyfriend, The Body. The girls are thrown back on their own resources with mixed success. It's a relief when a crisis forces the family to come back together. The series features the same cast, led by Greg Wise and Julia Ford, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer - Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 02 | 20130813 | Karen decides the easiest route is denial. Her mother's restless, her daughter's smoking weed, and her best friend needs help. The last thing Karen wants is to deal with her newly out gay husband. It's too painful. This is writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships. Jack and Karen are nothing out of the ordinary. They have been happily married for years and are convinced every problem can be worked through. Until Jack decides he really is gay. Seeking stability at all costs for themselves and for the children, they navigate the bumpy journey of finding a lover for Jack by going for the 'closed loop' arrangement. It sounds just about possible - in theory. But getting consensus all round for their 3-way partnership is far from straightforward. And Karen doesn't want to share her husband. She wants everything to stay the same. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Music: instrumental by Greg Wise Producer: Melanie Harris Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 02 | 20150811 | It's starting to unravel. Naomi disappears to school at the crack of dawn, Ella has decamped to a friend's house, Jack is throwing himself into work (and his boyfriend) and Karen has taken up running. The children want answers. In this second series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack has come out to his wife Karen but not to the kids. An agreement between consenting adults is one thing - but once you tell the children, all bets are off. She and Jack may have signed up for a new type of marriage, where small deceptions and unspoken fantasies are replaced with something new - a kind of radical honesty. But can they make this work as a whole family and keep the kids secure? The same cast come together, led by Julia Ford and Greg Wise, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Written by Nicholas McInerny Music by Greg Wise Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Everything is starting to unravel, and the children want answers. |
| 02 | 20160628 | Jack is excited about the success of his book and wants to celebrate. Karen is furious that he wants to sell the house and force her and the girls to move. Seventeen year-old Naomi is fed up with both of them and anyway, she's got other things on her mind - an older boyfriend with a car. In this third series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack and Karen are at a crossroads. Two years after he came out, they're still married, still close, have a regular date night each week and are both involved in steering their girls through their teenage years. But time doesn't stand still and Jack wants to live openly as a gay man. He wants to find out what that could mean. He also wants to be a good dad and keep his family healthy and safe. So it's time for more negotiations with Karen and the girls to see how they can remain a close and loving family and allow each other to grow in their own different ways. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Alisdair McGregor Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 02 | 20170627 | Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers. In this second episode, Ella tells Naomi she's going to spend her money on vet's fees for Bruno, her beloved family dog. Naomi delivers her bombshell - she's going to spend hers on a boob job. Where are we, a year on in the life of Jack, Karen and their children? We'll let the girls tell us - this fourth series belongs to them. Naomi (18) and Ella (16) have had to deal with the seismic changes to family life inflicted on them by their gay dad - and are remarkably sane, considering. Karen's been forced to sell the family home, so the girls live with her in a small flat with an ageing dog. Naomi's managing a bar and bringing strangers home to her bed. She has no intention of going to university. Ella's throwing herself into local green politics and is determined to keep Bruno alive. Karen works all the time and Jack's preoccupied with his new young boyfriend, The Body. The girls are thrown back on their own resources with mixed success. It's a relief when a crisis forces the family to come back together. The series features the same cast, led by Greg Wise and Julia Ford, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer - Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 03 | 20130814 | Things unravel further for Karen. Her daughter storms out, her best friend Miranda feels let down and husband Jack is out on his first date with a man. This is writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships. Jack and Karen are nothing out of the ordinary. They have been happily married for years and are convinced every problem can be worked through. Until Jack decides he really is gay. Seeking stability at all costs for themselves and for the children, they navigate the bumpy journey of finding a lover for Jack by going for the 'closed loop' arrangement. It sounds just about possible - in theory. But getting consensus all round for their 3-way partnership is far from straightforward. And Karen doesn't want to share her husband. She wants everything to stay the same. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Music: instrumental by Greg Wise Producer: Melanie Harris Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Things unravel further for Karen, and husband Jack is out on his first date with a man. |
| 03 | 20150812 | Things are looking up for Karen. She's getting ready for a date and looks a complete knock-out. Jack is beside himself with a feeling he hasn't experienced for a long time in relation to his wife - jealousy. In this second series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack has come out to his wife Karen but not to the kids. An agreement between consenting adults is one thing - but once you tell the children, all bets are off. She and Jack may have signed up for a new type of marriage, where small deceptions and unspoken fantasies are replaced with something new - a kind of radical honesty. But can they make this work as a whole family and keep the kids secure? The same cast come together, led by Julia Ford and Greg Wise, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Written by Nicholas McInerny Music by Greg Wise Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Jack feels an emotion he has not had for a long time in relation to his wife - jealousy. |
| 03 | 20160629 | Just when Jack thought he was getting somewhere with Karen, her father's health scare stops them in their tracks. Jack realises he's out of touch with the girls. And how did his ex-boyfriend Tom get so involved in Jack's own family? That wasn't part of the plan. In this third series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack and Karen are at a crossroads. Two years after he came out, they're still married, still close, have a regular date night each week and are both involved in steering their girls through their teenage years. But time doesn't stand still and Jack wants to live openly as a gay man. He wants to find out what that could mean. He also wants to be a good dad and keep his family healthy and safe. So it's time for more negotiations with Karen and the girls to see how they can remain a close and loving family and allow each other to grow in their own different ways. Jack..................Greg Wise Tom..................Daniel Crowder Karen................Julia Ford Miranda.............Mary Doherty Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Alisdair McGregor Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Jack thinks he is getting somewhere with Karen, but then her father has a health scare. |
| 03 | 20170628 | Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers. In this third episode, Naomi throws a party while her mum's away and, when things get out of hand, the girls are forced to ask for help from Max, their father's despised boyfriend. He wants a big favour in return. Where are we, a year on in the life of Jack, Karen and their children? We'll let the girls tell us - this fourth series belongs to them. Naomi (18) and Ella (16) have had to deal with the seismic changes to family life inflicted on them by their gay dad - and are remarkably sane, considering. Karen's been forced to sell the family home, so the girls live with her in a small flat with an ageing dog. Naomi's managing a bar and bringing strangers home to her bed. She has no intention of going to university. Ella's throwing herself into local green politics and is determined to keep her beloved dog Bruno alive. Karen works all the time and Jack's preoccupied with his new young boyfriend, The Body. The girls are thrown back on their own resources with mixed success. It's a relief when a crisis forces the family to come back together. The series features the same cast, led by Greg Wise and Julia Ford, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer - Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 04 | 20130815 | Karen longs for husband Jack to look at her, to notice her, to fall in love with her again. But he's excited by his new relationship and torn apart by the pain he's causing around him. It's time for them all to make some decisions. This is writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships. Jack and Karen are nothing out of the ordinary. They have been happily married for years and are convinced every problem can be worked through. Until Jack decides he really is gay. Seeking stability at all costs for themselves and for the children, they navigate the bumpy journey of finding a lover for Jack by going for the 'closed loop' arrangement. It sounds just about possible - in theory. But getting consensus all round for their 3-way partnership is far from straightforward. And Karen doesn't want to share her husband. She wants everything to stay the same. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Music: instrumental by Greg Wise Producer: Melanie Harris Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 04 | 20150813 | Karen's enjoying the attentions of her new lover and has decided to invest in her career - with money from Jack, whether he likes it or not. Jack's taken to sleeping with the dog, for company. But when they learn Ella is being bullied and Naomi is suspended from school, they snap into action - as parents. In this second series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack has come out to his wife Karen but not to the kids. An agreement between consenting adults is one thing - but once you tell the children, all bets are off. She and Jack may have signed up for a new type of marriage, where small deceptions and unspoken fantasies are replaced with something new - a kind of radical honesty. But can they make this work as a whole family and keep the kids secure? The same cast come together, led by Julia Ford and Greg Wise, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Written by Nicholas McInerny Music by Greg Wise Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen is enjoying the attentions of her new lover and decides to invest in her career. |
| 04 | 20160630 | Karen's doing a fun run, Naomi's bunking off to meet her boyfriend and Jack's discovering the joy of random sex with strangers - an itch that's difficult to ignore. In this third series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack and Karen are at a crossroads. Two years after he came out, they're still married, still close, have a regular date night each week and are both involved in steering their girls through their teenage years. But time doesn't stand still and Jack wants to live openly as a gay man. He wants to find out what that could mean. He also wants to be a good dad and keep his family healthy and safe. So it's time for more negotiations with Karen and the girls to see how they can remain a close and loving family and allow each other to grow in their own different ways. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Alisdair McGregor Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen's doing a fun run, and Jack's discovering the joy of random sex with strangers. |
| 04 | 20170629 | Ella goes off to meet her online buddy RadActJim - on her own, even though Naomi promised to come with her. Naomi tells her mum about her plans for a boob job and is taken aback by the vehemence of Karen's response. She escapes to work where she takes a call from Ella - who has been arrested. Where are we, a year on in the life of Jack, Karen and their children? We'll let the girls tell us - this fourth series belongs to them. Naomi (18) and Ella (16) have had to deal with the seismic changes to family life inflicted on them by their gay dad - and are remarkably sane, considering. Karen's been forced to sell the family home, so the girls live with her in a small flat with an ageing dog. Naomi's managing a bar and bringing strangers home to her bed. She has no intention of going to university. Ella's throwing herself into local green politics and is determined to keep her beloved dog Bruno alive. Karen works all the time and Jack's preoccupied with his new young boyfriend, The Body. The girls are thrown back on their own resources with mixed success. It's a relief when a crisis forces the family to come back together. The series features the same cast, led by Greg Wise and Julia Ford, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer - Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers. |
| 05 | 20130816 | Karen and Jack celebrate their wedding anniversary the way they always do, on Primrose Hill, with flowers and a take-away. But this year is different. This is writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships. Jack and Karen are nothing out of the ordinary. They have been happily married for years and are convinced every problem can be worked through. Until Jack decides he really is gay. Seeking stability at all costs for themselves and for the children, they navigate the bumpy journey of finding a lover for Jack by going for the 'closed loop' arrangement. It sounds just about possible - in theory. But getting consensus all round for their 3-way partnership is far from straightforward. And Karen doesn't want to share her husband. She wants everything to stay the same. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Music: instrumental by Greg Wise Producer: Melanie Harris Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen and Jack celebrate their wedding anniversary the way they always do. |
| 05 | 20150814 | Suddenly the family are a tribe again, united in adversity. Dealing with events at the girls' school has brought them together. Allegiances shift, in surprising ways. In this second series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack has come out to his wife Karen but not to the kids. An agreement between consenting adults is one thing - but once you tell the children, all bets are off. She and Jack may have signed up for a new type of marriage, where small deceptions and unspoken fantasies are replaced with something new - a kind of radical honesty. But can they make this work as a whole family and keep the kids secure? The same cast come together, led by Julia Ford and Greg Wise, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Written by Nicholas McInerny Music by Greg Wise Sound designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. The family are a tribe again, united in adversity. Allegiances shift, in surprising ways. |
| 05 | 20160701 | Jack's risk-taking in his sexual encounters leave him feeling scared and contrite. Karen's best friend Miranda helps her to see there is a future with or without Jack. And Karen's parents' golden wedding anniversary help her and Jack to appreciate their own honest, tough-love kind of marriage. In this third series of writer Nicholas McInerny's autobiographical look at modern relationships, Jack and Karen are at a crossroads. Two years after he came out, they're still married, still close, have a regular date night each week and are both involved in steering their girls through their teenage years. But time doesn't stand still and Jack wants to live openly as a gay man. He wants to find out what that could mean. He also wants to be a good dad and keep his family healthy and safe. So it's time for more negotiations with Karen and the girls to see how they can remain a close and loving family and allow each other to grow in their own different ways. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Alisdair McGregor Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer: Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. |
| 05 | 20170630 | The family rally together when Ella has to go to the police for a caution, following her arrest on an anti-fracking demo. It's time for the girls to unburden all their secrets to their parents, including Max's blackmail threat. They walk up Primrose Hill, together, to remember someone they all loved. Where are we, a year on in the life of Jack, Karen and their children? We'll let the girls tell us - this fourth series belongs to them. Naomi (18) and Ella (16) have had to deal with the seismic changes to family life inflicted on them by their gay dad - and are remarkably sane, considering. Karen's been forced to sell the family home, so the girls live with her in a small flat with an ageing dog. Naomi's managing a bar and bringing strangers home to her bed. She has no intention of going to university. Ella's throwing herself into local green politics and is determined to keep her beloved dog Bruno alive. Karen works all the time and Jack's preoccupied with his new young boyfriend, The Body. The girls are thrown back on their own resources with mixed success. It's a relief when a crisis forces the family to come back together. The series features the same cast, led by Greg Wise and Julia Ford, to explore the next chapter of this very modern family. Writer: Nicholas McInerny Sound Designer: Eloise Whitmore Director/Producer: Melanie Harris Executive Producer - Jo Meek A Sparklab production for BBC Radio 4. Karen and gay husband Jack are called to account by their surprisingly grown-up teenagers. |