Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | An Appraisal | 20090213 | An angry senior manager has been caught verbally abusing a client. His HR officer must take him to task. Can he?
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
Caught verbally abusing a client, an angry senior manager faces his HR officer. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 01 | 02 | An Away-Day | 20090220 | Senior manager Peter and his HR officer Sam hate team away-days, but equally fear performing badly and putting their jobs at risk.
But is it a good idea to practise bonding skills while inebriated?
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
Is team bonding best practised while senior manager Peter and HR's Sam are inebriated? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 01 | 03 | A Commute | 20090227 | Senior manager Peter is late for work. But so is his Human Resources officer, Sam. They meet on the train, both fearful of a call from their new boss.
But, hold on, is that him in the next carriage?
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2009.
Manager Peter and HR's Sam are late, but is their new boss also on the train? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 01 | 04 | A Role-Play | 20090306 | Peter discovers that he has to reapply for his own job. But he's not the only one...
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.
Sam tries to help a disgruntled Peter when he discovers he has to apply for his own job. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 01 | 05 | A Leaving Party | 20090313 | Peter meets Sam on his way to a leaving party. But they suffer a mishap...
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.
Peter meets Sam on his way to a leaving party, but they get stuck in a lift. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 01 | 06 | A Bus Pass | 20090320 | The work machine has finally excreted Peter and Sam. Now the two friends meet, of all places, in the queue for their senior bus passes.
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Cavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2009.
Peter and Sam meet, of all places, in the queue for their senior bus passes. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 02 | 01 | Gassing | 20100823 | Sam is battling retirement blues with a part-time job working for the Saviours, manning telephone lines to help those in distress.
And today's first client is of course Peter, in distress about their faulty boiler.
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2010.
Sam is manning the helplines when Peter calls, in distress about their faulty boiler. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 02 | 02 | Dogging | 20100830 | Sam, determined to help depressed Peter find a sense of purpose in his retirement, gets him a dog.
But will the scruffy mongrel help Peter?
Or will it add to his aggression and sense of injustice?
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2010.
Sam hopes a rescue dog can soothe grumpy Peter's retirement. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 02 | 03 | Wandering | 20100906 | Sam and Peter wile away retirement blues with a holiday in Spain.
Suddenly Sam, a lifelong virgin, seems to be presented with a life-changing opportunity.
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost
Director: Peter Kavanagh
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
The odd couple holiday in Spain. Has Sam found love at last? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 02 | 04 | Surfing | 20100913 | Sam and Peter occupy their retirement time surfing the net.
Peter has created a flattering, but deeply inaccurate online profile for himself, and now has a date.
Sam is determined to go along...
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter .... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
The odd duo try some deeply inaccurate online dating. Is it Peter's turn for love? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 02 | 05 | Remodelling | 20100920 | Sam, fearing the sense of purposelessness that often hits retirees, decides to redecorate his house.
But his housemate Peter gets worried. Has he some darker purpose in mind?
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
Some redecoration prompts a bout of soul-searching for Sam. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 02 | 06 | Consulting | 20100927 | Having nursed Peter through retirement blues, Sam himself succumbs to the dreaded sense of purposelessness. Then Peter gets an ad looking for experienced consultants. They're made!
Nigel Williams' comedy drama series charting the misfortunes of a middle-aged HR officer and his trouble-making colleague.
Peter |
| 03 | 01 | Naked | 20120201 | The return of 60-something chums Peter and Sam who are both enjoying a comfortable retirement. Until, that is, they get a chilly warning about an imminent danger to their pensions. Will they soon be joining the army of dispossessed older folk? Starring Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost. Series three of Nigel Williams' comedy. Peter ...... Jonathan Pryce Sam ...... Nicholas le Prevost Man ...... James Lailey Director: Peter Kavanagh. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012. Peter and Sam receive a chilly warning about an imminent danger to their pensions. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 03 | 02 | Disabled | 20120208 | The two 60-something chums have just lost their pensions. Sam balks at Peter's outrageous survival measures. But will he become embroiled? Nigel Williams' much-praised comedy series Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce Sam ..... Nicholas le Prevost Doctor ..... Paul Moriarty Director: Peter Kavanagh. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012. With the two chums having lost their pensions, Sam balks at Peter's survival measures. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 03 | 03 | Married | 20120215 | Discovering that their pensions are worthless, the chums contemplate the unthinkable: welcoming a female lodger into their home. Nigel Williams's comedy series stars Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost. Sam .... Nicholas Le Prevost Peter .... Jonathan Pryce Lupin ..... Sara Crowe. Producer: Peter Kavanagh First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012. With worthless pensions, will a lodger help out Sam and Peter? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 03 | 04 | Disinherited | 20120222 | After losing their pensions, 60-something chums Sam and Peter chums resort to desperate measures. Which now include visiting an aged - very wealthy - aunt. Nigel Williams's comedy series stars Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost. Sam....Nicholas le Prevost Peter...Jonathan Pryce Aunt Norah... Dillie Keane Maud...Kate Layden Producer: Peter Kavanagh First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012. With no pensions to fall back on, desperate Sam and Peter visit a wealthy aunt. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 03 | 05 | Robbed | 20120229 | The two friends, having discovered that their pensions are worthless, take every measure thinkable to survive. Now Sam tries to remortgage their home... Nigel William's retirement comedy series, starring Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost. Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost Mr Loomis ..... Philip Jackson. Producer: Peter Kavanagh First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2012. Sam's latest desperate measure is to try to remortgage the home he shares with Peter. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 03 | 06 | Gambled | 20120307 | The two friends, having discovered that their pensions are worthless, take every measure thinkable to survive. Now they're hoping for a lottery win. Nigel William's retirement comedy series, starring Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost. Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce Sam ..... Nicholas Le Prevost Dustman ..... Gerard McDermott Producer: Peter Kavanagh First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2012. Penniless friends Sam and Peter bank on a huge lottery win. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 04 | 01 | Money | 20130222 | The return of Nigel Williams' hit comedy about an odd-couple of silver surfers. Starring Jonathan Pryce and Nicholas le Prevost. Sam has won the lottery after all. Will their lives change? A visit from the Lottery Man may provide some answers...
Sam ..... Nicholas le Prevost
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
Nigel William's comedy about a retired odd couple. Will a lottery win change their lives? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 04 | 02 | After Gherkin | 20130301 | In the second of the new series of HR by Nigel Willliams, Sam and Peter's dog Gherkin becomes unwell. They decide to spend some of their lottery win on animal welfare. But could their noble ideals backfire?
Peter..... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
With the demise of their dog, the pensioner chums spend their winnings on animal welfare. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 04 | 03 | Goodbye Uncle Norman | 20130308 | In this new series of HR by Nigel Williams, Sam has won the lottery. He has to write a speech for a recently deceased - but long-forgotten - uncle. And at the crematorium all is not what it seems.
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
Sam attends a long-forgotten uncle's funeral. Peter smells a rat. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 04 | 04 | Musical | 20130315 | by Nigel Williams. Sam has won the lottery and is infatuated with his personal banker who suggests he invest some of his lottery win in a musical. Sam is keen. But Peter refuses to sing from the same sheet.
Peter ..... Jonathan Pryce
Director: Peter Kavanagh.
Musicals can fly. Or crawl. Should Sam invest his lottery win in one? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 04 | 05 | Lamb of My Father | 20130322 | Sam and Peter invest more of their lottery cash, in haute cuisine. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 04 | 06 | The Return of Martina Guerre | 20130329 | Sam and Peter agree they need variation. But will a doorbell ring herald major change? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 05 | 01 | Love Precisely | 20140219 | In the new series of Nigel William's hit comedy, Peter's former partner Kate moves in. Sam, who thought he was gay, finds himself deeply attracted to her. There will be fireworks!
Original music for the film by Stephen Benham
Director ..... Peter Kavanagh
Starring Jonathan Pryce, Nicholas Le Prevost and Kate Fahy, Nigel Williams' long running comedy-drama series HR has developed something a cult following. And this latest promises to be just as funny and outrageous, but even more apposite than the previous four.
As well as the usual humour in spade-loads, this series deals with important issues, among them the complications round bi-sexuality, and gay marriage.
Sam's house is home not only to Peter (Pryce) and himself (Le Prevost), but also to Peter's ex-wife Kate (Fahy) and soon Sam's new boyfriend Ed (David Haig). The series will chart Sam's initial conviction that he is in love with Kate, ergo not gay. Then him accepting that he is indeed gay, but still - at age 65 - a virgin, and in need of a partner in the autumn of his life. He will check out gay websites for 'the right guy for the right guy', with hilarious - and almost disastrous - consequences. Then an electricity-meter reader (Ed - Haig) rings the bell on a routine call, and Sam's life suddenly changes.
In the penultimate episode Sam will propose to Ed, and many of the emotional issues round gay marriage and commitment will be explored.
At the same time commitment-phobe Peter, now sharing (and sparring!) with ex-wife Kate has to confront the possibility that he may still have feelings for her. Again that story-line will run right until the last episode, with a dramatic twist. (NB: Kate Fahy and Jonathan Pryce are married in real life)
But as the series opens:
Episode 1: Domestic life is complicated as Sam, who thought he was gay, wakes one morning to realise that he has fallen in love with Kate, former partner of Peter, who is Sam's best friend and his infuriatingly abrasive, rascally, trouble-making lodger. Who can guess how it will all turn out, particularly when Peter then insists on giving Sam lessons in courtship: 'Women doubt themselves' Peter asserts vigorously, 'they all lack confidence. As men, it is our duty to take advantage of that ... thereby to maximise their dependence on us'.
Will Sam follow unreconstructed Peter's advice?
Listen out to this new run of topping comedy dramas.
Sam's household grows, as Kate moves in with him and her ex-husband Peter. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 05 | 02 | Wild About Gorillas | 20140226 | In this new run of Nigel Williams' comedy dramas, Peter's ex-wife Kate who has moved in, proposes a trip to the zoo. Not even Peter can turn a picnic outing into a hair-raising ordeal. Or can he?
Directed by Peter Kavanagh
Peter (Jonathan Pryce) and Sam (Nicholas Le Prevost) are joined by Kate (Kate Fahy) the new resident at Sam's home. Unsurprisingly however, a little female sanity fails to halt Peter's madcap antics, or Sam's reverting to his role as HR manager to restore order. This trip to the zoo proves no exception as Peter decides to walk on the wild side. And we are reminded of Kate's hidden feelings of love for her nightmare ex-partner Peter.
Sam's new lodger Kate suggests a trip to the zoo. Or will it be a hair-raising adventure? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 05 | 03 | Jesus O'Rahilly | 20140305 | Outrageous fun as Sam, Peter and Kate go to salsa lessons for the over-60s. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 05 | 04 | Everybody's Doing It | 20140312 | Sam considers internet dating. Then there's a knock on the door. Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 05 | 05 | Peter and Sam and Ed and Kate | 20140319 | Peter plans to alienate Sam's new partner Ed. But will he succeed? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |
| 05 | 06 | Til Death Do Us Part | 20140326 | Can a visit to a psychiatrist sort out relationship woes? Comedy drama series by Nigel Williams that charts the misfortunes of an HR officer |