How does Audible work? How much it costs, how to get free books and how to cancel
Audible is an Amazon subscription service offering audiobooks, podcasts and more. Here's how it works.
Listen up all bookworms, podcast listeners and audio fans – if you're looking for somewhere to source your favourite auditory entertainment, Audible is the perfect platform for you. Audible is an Amazon service offering a huge variety and number of titles, all wrapped up in an affordable subscription package. It's great for those who are struggling to find time to read, or for those on the lookout for a new podcast to get stuck into. Books are either read out to you by a narrator, the title’s author or a well-known celebrity, while podcasts often have famous hosts. The book fanatics at RadioTimes.com have rounded up some of the best audiobooks and best non-fiction audiobooks that you'll find on Audible. If you’ve got little ones looking for a bedtime story, we’ve got a list of the best kids' audiobooks, too. If you’re tempted to sign-up for Audible, we’ve outlined the answers to all the main questions you might have about the service and how it works below. The good news is that, at the very least, the first month will either be free or very cheap, since there's always a promotional offer around to entice potential new subscribers. Head to our piece on how to get an Audible free trial in the UK for the latest information. In our best Audible offers article, we share the top deals each month to help you bag the subscription service for free or for less, and we tell you how to get free audiobooks. And you can also head to our Audible Gift Card piece if you want to treat a loved one to the subscription service this Christmas. Start your 30-day free Audible trial undefined Quality audiobooks deserve quality audio – and if you're looking for something to play your audiobooks through at home, don't miss our best DAB radio recommendations and best Amazon Echo deals. Jump to: What is Audible? How much does Audible cost in the UK? How does Audible work? What are Audible credits? What do you need to use Audible? How to buy books on Audible How to get free books on Audible How to return a book on Audible How do you cancel an Audible membership? What is Audible? Audible is an audiobook service from Amazon, offering the world’s biggest selection of titles ranging from much-loved classics to new releases and original podcasts. Listeners can download or stream their chosen titles with a membership to Audible. Books may be read aloud by a narrator, the authors themselves, well-known stars or even performed by an audio cast. Many podcasts also have famous hosts — for instance, Michael Caine’s podcast Heist is about famous robberies, and then there's From the Oasthouse, Alan Partridge's podcast, which, of course, is read by the East Anglian superstar himself. There are constantly new releases being added to Audible too – new this month includes Fearless by Lauren Roberts. Start your 30-day free Audible trial How much does Audible cost in the UK? The cost for an Audible membership depends on the plan you sign up for, and the Audible tiers have changed slightly in recent weeks. There are two monthly plans and two annual plans, and we've broken them all down below: Standard Monthly | £5.99 per month — Select one audiobook a month from the entire collection, and listen to your selected audiobook as long as you're a member Premium Plus Monthly | £8.99 per month — Get one credit a month to buy any audiobook from the entire collection, the book is yours to keep, even if you cancel, listen to thousands of additional audiobooks and originals from the Plus Catalogue, and enjoy exclusive sales and discounts Premium Plus Annual (12 credits) | £69.99 per year — Get 12 credits a year for any audiobook in the entire collection, listen to thousands of additional audiobooks and originals from the Plus Catalogue, and enjoy member-only deals and discounts Premium Plus Annual (24 credits) | £109.99 per year — Same as the 12 credits option, except with 24 credits a year. To entice you in even more, if you want to test Audible out before you commit, you can also trial the monthly services for free for 30 days. Start your 30-day free Audible trial undefined How does Audible work? By signing up to Audible on the standard membership, you receive one new audiobook every month you are a member. You can choose from a range of membership plans and which one you have will determine how many Audible 'credits' you receive each month, which can be exchanged for audiobooks on the service. You're not limited to one book a month, though, many are available for free and you can buy more. Also, you can listen to all the Audible Original Podcasts with unlimited streaming and there are also a number of exclusive offers and deals throughout the month, including the 'Daily Deals' which offer a different title for up to 80% off each day. What are Audible credits? Audible credits are the service's internal currency, with one credit purchasing one audiobook: nice and simple. But different memberships afford different credits, ranging from one credit per month to 24 credits per year, as we've mentioned above. What's great is that Audible works with a rollover scheme, so that if, say, you have a hectic month and don't get the chance to use your monthly credit, it can be used in the following month instead. But keep in mind that credits will eventually expire after a year of disuse. Have you heard the Nintendo Switch 2 release date has been announced? Plus, here's the up-to-date Nintendo Switch 2 UK stock. What do you need to use Audible? You can access Audible via your internet browser. However, it's easier to install the app on your device of choice; Audible is compatible with nearly every single phone and tablet out there. One thing you'll need to make sure is that you have an Amazon account — Audible is a subsidiary company of the retail giant after all. Plus, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you get more for your 30-day free trial. Instead of picking one audiobook with the free trial, Prime members can pick two! Titles include classics such as JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, or the much-talked about biography The Woman in Me from Britney Spears, and many more. And what's best, they're yours to keep, plus after the trial members will receive one credit per month. Looking at switching music streaming services? Take a look at our what is Amazon Music and Amazon Music vs Spotify, Spotify vs Apple Music and Apple Music vs Amazon Music guides. How to buy books on Audible If you are using a device like a smartphone, you can search and download from the app. If you are on a laptop or computer, you can buy audiobooks through the usual Amazon site, just make sure you're logged in. On the left of the main search bar, select the category 'Audible Audiobooks' from the dropdown menu to search for a title. After clicking on a book title you have searched for in the search bar as normal, you should see boxes with various options including 'Kindle Edition', 'Paperback' and 'Audio Download'. In the 'Audio Download' box, it should list a price or the option to purchase with one credit. By selecting this option you’ll be able to buy the audiobook outright or purchase with any unused credits. You can also do this from the mobile version of the online website. How to get free books on Audible When you sign up to a free 30-day membership with Audible, you’ll receive one free audiobook to get you started. If you continue your membership on one of Audible’s plans, you'll receive regular credits which can be exchanged for a title of your choice. One token entitles you to one audiobook, no matter the price, without having to shell out any extra cost. If you find you don't manage to use a credit every month, it's possible to get in touch with Audible customer services and request to 'freeze' your account for a few months. This allows you to catch up and use the credits you have without paying more and getting swamped, or cancelling your subscription entirely. How to return a book on Audible If you aren’t enjoying a book or have downloaded the wrong one by mistake, you're able to return it and use your credit on something else. To do this, you need to log into your account on the Audible website and click on 'Account Details' from the drop-down menu under your name. From here you can choose 'Purchase History' to see a list of all the audiobooks you've bought. On the right of the title you want to exchange, you should see a button saying 'Return Order' which can simply select to send it back. Start your 30-day free Audible trial We've written great guides on how to read books in order; just take a look at how to read Silo books in order, how to read Heartstopper books in order, and how to read Jacqueline Wilson books in order. How do you cancel an Audible membership? Your Audible membership will automatically renew at the end of your plan. This is includes your free trial period. If you want to cancel your membership, log into the Audible website and go to the 'Account Details' page. Under 'Account Settings' you should see the option, 'cancel my membership'. Select this and follow the instructions on screen to terminate your Audible plan. If you have paid for an audiobook on Amazon, it will remain in your Audible library forever even once your subscription has ended. This should also apply to items purchased during your free trial. Any credits you have not used, however, will disappear, so make sure you use them up before cancelling your membership. Start your 30-day free Audible trial Do you love reading as much as listening? Don't miss our pick of the very best Kindle deals. Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
Harry Potter movies actor returns in new role for new adaptation with epic cast
JK Rowling's seven novels are being brought to life in new audio adaptations.
The full cast for Audible’s adaptation of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books has been revealed, with Bill Nighy among the latest additions to the line-up. Nighy played Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, in the Warner Bros. Harry Potter films but will take on a different role in Harry Potter: The Full Cast Audio Editions, providing the voice of Professor Slughorn. Other new additions to the cast include Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Black Rabbit) as Sirius Black, Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland) as Rita Skeeter, Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Derry Girls) as Professor Trelawney, Mackenzie Crook (The Office) as Kreacher, Stephen Mangan (The Split) as Nearly Headless Nick and Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders) as Madam Hooch. David Holmes, who was Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double on the Harry Potter movies, will voice Stan Shunpike, the Knight Bus conductor. Meanwhile, Jude Farrant will voice the young Draco Malfoy in the first three audiobooks, with Maximus Evans continuing the part in audiobooks four through seven. Jake Sigsworth will portray Neville Longbottom in the first three audiobooks, while Archie Mountain will voice the character in audiobooks four through seven. “I was pleased to be asked to play the Professor after having already played a Minister for Magic,” said Nighy in a statement. “Is it possible that I’m the only actor who can claim that achievement? It means that my career continues to have meaning for the next couple of generations. "I’m always grateful when asked to play academics having not been further educated myself. I’m hoping to be a significant part of something that will keep children entertained in the car on those long journeys overseas or just on the way to school.” Holmes added: “I’m beyond thrilled and honoured to be voicing Stan Shunpike in the forthcoming Pottermore and Audible Harry Potter full-cast audiobook. Being a part of this is very much full circle for me, considering I was the Harry stunt double inside the Knight Bus as it was whizzing through the streets of London on the Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban movie. "I hope everybody enjoys my performance and both old or new audiences will connect with these magical stories. Tickets please….” They join the previously announced Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape, Cush Jumbo OBE as the narrator, Kit Harington as Professor Lockhart, Keira Knightley as Professor Umbridge, Iwan Rheon as Professor Lupin, Ruth Wilson as Bellatrix Lestrange and Ambika Mod as Nymphadora Tonks. Leo Woodall was also previously announced to be starring as Bill Weasley, Simon Pegg as Arthur Weasley, James McAvoy as Mad-Eye Moody, Gemma Whelan as Professor Sprout, Matt Berry as Sir Cadogan, Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall, Mark Addy as Hagrid, Alex Hassell as Lucius Malfoy, Daniel Mays as Dobby, and Sara and Avni Deshmukh as The Patil Twins. Meanwhile, rising stars Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester, and Arabella Stanton will play the younger versions of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger respectively in the first three audiobooks. Notably, Stanton is also playing Hermione in the upcoming HBO series. Jaxon Knopf, Rhys Mulligan, and Nina Barker-Francis will play the older versions of the trio in audiobook four through to the conclusion. The first audiobook, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, is scheduled to be released on Audible on 4th November, 2025, with the remaining six English-language audiobooks releasing monthly. The final audiobook is set to arrive one year before the HBO series is expected to premiere, with that series having begun filming, but not set for release until 2027. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”. In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”. Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: The Full-Cast Audio Edition is available on Tuesday 4th November. Read our list of the best audiobooks on Audible to listen to right now. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guideto find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Emma Thompson stars in Sense and Sensibility sequel – listen now to exclusive clip
Thompson stars opposite Erin Doherty in audio drama Becoming Meg Dashwood.
Emma Thompson leads the cast of new Audible audio drama Becoming Meg Dashwood, a sequel to Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, written by Rebecca Humphries. Having previously played Elinor Dashwood in Ang Lee's 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, Thompson will here take on the role of the youngest Dashwood sister, Margaret, who the new story centres around. Meanwhile, Adolescence star Erin Doherty will also play the character, appearing as the younger version of Margaret, known as Meg. Now, RadioTimes.com has got an exclusive clip from the audio drama, which is available to pre-order and will launch on Monday 6th October, which you can listen to now at the top of this article. The Thursday Murder Club's Naomi Ackie will also star in the drama, playing Meg's lover Nelly, while the cast will be filled out by Liz Carr as Mrs Dashwood, Jessica Gunning as Hester, Paterson Joseph as Colonel Brandon, Greg Wise as Dr Keats, Golda Rosheuvel as older Nelly and Imelda Staunton as Mrs Jennings. The synopsis for Becoming Meg Dashwood says: "Marriage is not for Margaret Dashwood. Where others see duty, Margaret sees entrapment and rage. But when an invitation from family friend Mrs Jennings hurls her into the chaotic heart of Covent Garden and Soho, Margaret discovers an intoxicating world beyond afternoon tea and polite society. "Here she meets three women who live unapologetically: Nelly, an impulsive actress; Hester, a witch who works in the textile factory; and Inge, a sex worker who loves money and knows exactly how to get it. Here, Margaret’s rage is celebrated, along with her musical talents, and in their fierce company she is reborn as Meg: artist, and woman of hidden fires. "All four women dare to imagine a life dictated by pleasure, politics, and possibility. But such a life demands sacrifice. Especially when Meg’s feelings for Nelly – tender, electric, terrifying – begin to deepen. How does one fall in love, when that love has no name?" When the audio drama was first announced, Thompson, who is also an executive producer on the project, said: "I am very thrilled and proud to have been a part of bringing Audible and Rebecca Humphries’s extraordinary drama to life. "Their vision for the youngest Dashwood sister takes us from Austen’s world into the more hidden parts of women’s lives, parts that were not written about at the time, at least not openly. "I think Austen would have been fascinated and delighted with the language and with the story, and gladdened by the desire to take one of her characters and give her a future and a big, unexpected voice." This is the second Audible project related to Jane Austen's works to be released in recent weeks, after a new version of Pride and Prejudice, starring Marisa Abela and Harris Dickinson, was added to the platform last month. Becoming Meg Dashwood is available to pre-order at www.audible.co.uk. It will be released on Monday 6th October. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Harry Potter TV series's Hermione star to reprise role for all-new audio adaptations from JK Rowling
Rowling's original seven novels are being brought to life in new full-cast audiobooks.
A series of brand-new Harry Potter audiobooks have been announced, with a starry cast of over 200 actors taking on JK Rowling's novels. The series, which is called Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, comes from Pottermore Publishing and Audible Inc, and will include all seven of the original Potter novels. They will include high-quality sound design in Dolby Atmos, as well as new scoring, original music, and real-world sound capture. The first audiobook, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will debut on Tuesday 4th November 2025, with the remaining six English-language audiobooks releasing monthly. Production has nearly wrapped, and the audiobooks can be pre-ordered now. Notably, the audio series shares a cast member with the upcoming HBO TV show - Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger in both the show and the first three audiobooks. View Green Video on the source website Other actors taking part include Cush Jumbo as the narrator, Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed as Professor Snape and Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall. Meanwhile, Frankie Treadaway and Max Lester will play Harry and Ron respectively in the first three audiobooks, with Jaxon Knopf and Rhys Mulligan taking over for books four through seven. Nina Barker-Francis will play Hermione in these titles. Laurie said in a statement: "I’m honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible. "I’m also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and m’colleague Sir Stephen Fry. "Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it’s a privilege to be among their number." Meanwhile, Rachel Ghiazza, chief content officer at Audible, said: "Magic is coming alive as these brilliant actors lift iconic characters off the page and into our ears. Hearing these spellbinding performances in our state-of-the-art studios has been nothing short of extraordinary. "We’re overjoyed to share that fans of all ages can now mark their autumn calendars for a truly breathtaking experience with Audible and Pottermore Publishing – one that promises to reignite the magic for longtime fans and captivate a whole new generation of listeners." The last of the audiobooks will arrive one year before the HBO series is expected to debut, with that show filming now, but not set for release until 2027. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that "there are no trans kids" and opposed the idea that a child can be "born in the wrong body". In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to "individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights". Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. The first of the Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions will arrive on 4th November 2025 on Audible. Start your 30 day free Audible trial at Amazon. The Harry Potter TV series will stream on HBO Max. Check out more of our Audio and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who and Succession favourites confirmed to join "ambitious" new Harry Potter audio stories
The magical saga begins again this winter.
A star-studded cast has been unveiled for Audible's new slate of Harry Potter audio books, with famous faces from Succession and Doctor Who among the top billed. Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions was confirmed to be in development last year, but only now do we know who will be lending their voices to JK Rowling's Wizarding World saga. The line-up includes comedy legend Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore, Succession alum Matthew Macfadyen as Lord Voldemort and Doctor Who star Michelle Gomez as Professor McGonagall. The Phoenician Scheme's Riz Ahmed will also feature as the enigmatic Professor Snape, while Criminal Record's Cush Jumbo has been tapped to narrate the "immersive" new adaptations. While HBO Max's upcoming Harry Potter series will see its child actors grow up on screen, these audio versions were tasked with casting Harry, Hermione and Ron two times over – first as children (for books 1-3), and later as older teenagers (books 4-7). Frankie Treadaway, Max Lester and Arabella Stanton were picked to be the younger versions of Harry, Ron and Hermione respectively, with the latter reprising her role in the live-action series (which is currently filming). Audible notes that casting for its adaptation was completed in early 2025. Stanton was announced for the streaming show in May, but early discussions would presumably pre-date that reveal, so it's not yet clear which production booked her first. Treadaway has previously appeared as Tommy in a West End production of Matilda: The Musical, while Lester recently made a brief appearance in summer blockbuster Fantastic Four: First Steps. The older versions of the trio Jaxon Knopf (Harry), Rhys Mulligan (Ron), and The Jetty star Nina Barker-Francis (Hermione). According to Audible, more than 200 actors will feature in these full-cast audio adaptations, with more roles to be announced this autumn, ahead of The Philosopher's Stone being released on Tuesday 4th November 2025. From then, later books will be released monthly, starting with Chamber of Secrets (16th December), Prisoner of Azkaban (13th January), Goblet of Fire (10th February), Order of the Phoenix (10th March), Half-Blood Prince (14th April) and Deathly Hallows (12th May). More than 2,000 hours of audio have been logged to bring these unabridged adaptations to life, with original music and real-world sound capture accompanying the performances of the actors. Hugh Laurie commented: "I'm honoured to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible. "I'm also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Jude Law and the iconic narrations by Jim Dale and m'colleague Sir Stephen Fry. "Just below the horizon, but headed our way, is the rough beast John Lithgow, his hour come round at last. This is great company, and it’s a privilege to be among their number." Rachel Ghiazza, Chief Content Officer at Audible, said: "Magic is coming alive as these brilliant actors lift iconic characters off the page and into our ears. Hearing these spellbinding performances in our state-of-the-art studios has been nothing short of extraordinary. "We're overjoyed to share that fans of all ages can now mark their autumn calendars for a truly breathtaking experience with Audible and Pottermore Publishing – one that promises to reignite the magic for longtime fans and captivate a whole new generation of listeners." Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”. In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as offering legal funding support to “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights”. Harry Potter actors including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, have distanced themselves from Rowling's views and have issued statements supporting the transgender community. Others, including Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter and Jim Broadbent, have defended the author from the criticism she has received. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone: The Full-Cast Audio Edition is available on Tuesday 4th November. Read our list of the best audiobooks on Audible to listen to right now. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Emma Thompson returns to Sense and Sensibility with unexpected sequel in very different format
Brand new audiobook Becoming Meg Dashwood will launch on Audible in October.
Throughout her storied career, Emma Thompson has had all sorts of memorable roles – but few can compare with her turn in Ang Lee's 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Not only was Thompson Oscar-nominated for her performance as Elinor Dashwood in the film, but she was also responsible for penning its Academy Award-winning script. It's understandable, then, that the star would continue to hold a special place in her heart for Austen's novel – and 30 years on, it's just been announced that she is set to return to the text for a brand new project. Becoming Meg Dashwood is a brand new audio drama that is set to launch exclusively on Audible in October, and will centre on the youngest Dashwood sister, Margaret – played by child star Emilie François in the previous film. Thompson will serve as an executive producer on the drama – which is written by Rebecca Humphries – and is set to take on the lead role of Margaret, alongside an all-star cast that also includes Adolescence's Erin Doherty as Margaret's younger self, Mickey 17's Naomi Ackie as her lover Nelly, and Silent Witness star Liz Carr as Mrs Dashwood. There are also roles in the cast for Baby Reindeer's Jessica Gunning, Peep Show's Paterson Joseph, and stage and screen legend Imelda Staunton, while Greg Wise – who starred as key character John Willoughby in the 1995 film – is back in a new role. The drama is billed as a "riotous, rebellious period drama about female friendship, sexuality and liberation", with Thompson saying she was "thrilled" to bring an "extraordinary drama" to life. She added: "Their vision for the youngest Dashwood sister takes us from Austen’s world into the more hidden parts of women’s lives, parts that were not written about at the time, at least not openly. "I think Austen would have been fascinated and delighted with the language and with the story, and gladdened by the desire to take one of her characters and give her a future and a big, unexpected voice." Meanwhile, Humphries said: "My first thought, when Audible asked for a take on Margaret Dashwood, was: Jane and Cassandra Austen never married. What if Margaret didn’t want to either? The only way to honour Jane Austen was to do what she did: take the love story and push it somewhere new. "This one’s about liberation, class, queerness, and all the things that on Jane’s 250th birthday we are still fighting to say out loud. Audible have assembled a true dream cast. I cannot wait for the world to hear them." This is the second major adaptation of Jane Austen to be announced by Audible in recent weeks, following news that a new version of Pride and Prejudice was set to be produced with an all-star cast led by Marisa Abela, Harris Dickinson and Glenn Close. It was also recently announced that a new film version of Sense and Sensibility was in the works, with Daisy-Edgar Jones and The Sandman star Esmé Creed-Miles taking on the lead roles of Elinor and Marianne, played by Thompson and Kate Winslet in the previous big-screen adaptation. The cast for the new version also includes Outlander star Caitríona Balfe as Elinor and Marianne's mother Mrs Dashwood, Joan's Frank Dillane as Marianne’s initial love interest John Willoughby, and Killing Eve's Fiona Shaw as Mrs Jennings. The official synopsis for Becoming Meg Dashwood reads: "Marriage is not for Margaret Dashwood. Where others see duty, Margaret sees entrapment and rage. "But when an invitation from family friend Mrs Jennings hurls her into the chaotic heart of Covent Garden and Soho, Margaret discovers an intoxicating world beyond afternoon tea and polite society. "Here she meets three women who live unapologetically: Nelly, an impulsive actress; Hester, a witch who works in the textile factory; and Inge, a sex worker who loves money and knows exactly how to get it. "Here, Margaret’s rage is celebrated, along with her musical talents, and in their fierce company she is reborn as Meg: artist, and woman of hidden fires. "All four women dare to imagine a life dictated by pleasure, politics, and possibility. But such a life demands sacrifice. Especially when Meg’s feelings for Nelly - tender, electric, terrifying - begin to deepen. How does one fall in love, when that love has no name?" Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Richard Armitage joins Downton Abbey star in new audio thriller
The actor will portray a manipulative con man in the upcoming novel from Lisa Jewell.
Richard Armitage has been cast in an audiobook edition of the Lisa Jewell's latest thriller Don't Let Him In, lending his voice to a "dangerously charming" man who infiltrates – and derails – the lives of two women. The synopsis, courtesy of Penguin Random House, teases: "He's the perfect man. He says he loves you. You think he might even be made for you. Before long he's moved into your house – and into your heart. "And then he leaves for days at a time. You don't know where he's gone or who he's with. And you realise – if you looked back – you'd say to yourself: don't let him in." Armitage voices Nick, the enigmatic villain at the centre of the piece, with Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt playing his initially unsuspecting wife, Martha. Meanwhile, voice actor Tamaryn Payne, of Baldur's Gate III fame, plays Ash – the daughter of a widowed woman that Nick has set his sights on next. Gemma Whelan (The Tower), Louise Brealey (Sherlock) and voice actor Patience Tomlinson also feature. You can check out an advance excerpt of Armitage's performance here: Jewell said: "I was thrilled when I heard Richard was interested in voicing Nick. He's naturally charming and charismatic but can also bring the subtle nuance needed to show Nick's manipulation – he's the perfect choice. "I am also honoured that Joanne Froggatt and Tamaryn Payne are returning to voice my new audiobook – I loved how they brought to life The Night She Disappeared and The Family Upstairs. "I have no doubt this ensemble will create an audiobook experience that is both immersive and unforgettable, one I'm sure my readers will enjoy." Armitage commented: "Lisa's storytelling is utterly compelling, and I really enjoyed bringing Nick to life in this way – he really is the perfect villain. There's something so cinematic about this story, I'm certain fans of the genre will love it." Don't Let Him In is available in hardcover and audiobook from Thursday 3rd July 2025. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
James Bond audio books with Missing You, Doctor Who and Bridgerton stars confirm UK release date
Ready to revisit the spy's original stories?
Brand new audio book recordings of Ian Fleming's classic James Bond stories are finally coming to the UK, with Richard Armitage and Adjoa Andoh among the famous names bringing them to life. A collaboration between Ian Fleming Publications and HarperCollinsUS, the major endeavour saw all 14 James Bond novels given brand new audio books, along with two additional non-fiction titles by the author: Thrilling Cities and The Diamond Smugglers. James Bond audio books have often attracted top-tier talent, and this latest round is no exception, with Missing You's Armitage voicing original Bond novel Casino Royale and Bridgerton's Andoh lending hers to Live and Let Die. Meanwhile, Doctor Who star Alex Kingston narrates Moonraker and Sherlock co-creator Mark Gatiss takes From Russia with Love, while Adam Godley (The Great) voices Goldfinger and Genevieve Gaunt (The Royals) performs The Spy Who Loved Me. Ghosts fans will recognise the voice of co-creator and star Ben Willbond on both Octopussy and The Living Daylights (released as one set), with Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (His Dark Materials) narrating The Man with the Golden Gun. The Day of the Jackal star Eleanor Matsuura is tackling another classic spy story with her recording of You Only Live Twice, rounding out the confirmed names for the UK release tomorrow, Wednesday 29th January 2025, via Ian Fleming Publications and audio book platforms. While the original novels continue to offer hours of entertainment for Bond fans, the future of the franchise's cinematic counterpart remains rather uncertain, with enthusiasts still awaiting word on Daniel Craig's replacement. Last year, rumours gained traction that Aaron Taylor-Johnson (of Bullet Train, Kraven the Hunter and the upcoming 28 Years Later) was being seriously considered, but these reports have since gone quiet. James Bond audio books are available to purchase from Ian Fleming Publications. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Game of Thrones and Succession stars lead Agatha Christie Audible adaptation
They join an incredibly star-studded cast.
Audible's adaptation of Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles has its Poirot! It has been announced that Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) will star as the formidable detective in a star-studded adapation of Christie's debut novel – releasing globally on November 14th. Starring alongside Dinklage are Himesh Patel (Yesterday), Harriet Walter (Succession), Rob Delaney (Catastrophe) and Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer). Further casting includes Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso), John Bradley (Game of Thrones), Vivian Oparah (Rye Lane) and Patsy Ferran (A Streetcar Named Desire). This Audible adaptation is being released as part of a new production deal with Agatha Christie Limited and tells the story of an injured and traumatised Captain Hastings (Patel), who has been invited to a large country estate to recover after serving in World War I. The synopsis continues: "With tensions tearing the family apart, what seems like a perfect haven soon turns into a nightmare, as the matriarch of the family Emily Inglethorp (Walter) dies suddenly one night, with her family swiftly realising her death was no accident. "With a full ensemble of characters with motives for the murder, nobody is above suspicion. As Hastings is desperate to solve the mystery and protect the family from fervent media speculation, he knows there is only one man who can help. "With his impeccable suit and exceptional insight, Hastings calls on the brilliant detective he once knew - Hercule Poirot (Dinklage)." This adaptation has been written by Anna Lea (Around the World in 80 Days) and directed by Alice Lowe (Prevenge) and features an original score by British actor and musician Johnny Flynn (The Detectorists) in collaboration with cellist and composer Joe Zeitlin. James Prichard, CEO and Chairman of Agatha Christie Limited said: "This project promises to push the boundaries of what audio can be. "The combination of an extraordinary cast, music by Johnny Flynn and the use of ground-breaking audio technology will make this a completely extraordinary telling of my great grandmother’s first story. "We are very excited to partner with Audible on this journey and work with them to bring this story to life." The Mysterious Affair at Styles will be available exclusively on Audible on 14th November. Available now to pre-order at www.audible.co.uk Audible membership may be required. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Richard Armitage confirms he's planning third book as he opens up on writing
There's more to come after Geneva and The Cut.
Richard Armitage has opened up on his new career venture following the release of his latest audiobook, The Cut. Having published suspense crime thriller Geneva back in 2023, Armitage is returning to the literary world for a second title - and he's already planning a third one! In a new episode of Waitrose's Dish podcast, Armitage spoke with hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, as he discussed how he got into writing his own books. He explained: "Audible came to me and said... 'I think the algorithm had pinged something up', like these are the authors he's reading, this is his audience, these are the kinds of shows he's in - would that little cocktail of things be worth exploring a writing project?'" From there, he was asked if he'd like to write a book and it was an immediate yes, but he admitted he was worried about writing something long form. "We staggered the process and I presented an outline and then I worked with an editor," he said. "So that was Geneva and it did really well, and then it went to print, so then we've done it again with The Cut." His new audiobook The Cut takes place in a remote village where an unsolved murder is brought back into the limelight when a Hollywood movie begins filming. You can listen to The Cut on Audible now. Despite Armitage's initial worries, he has seen success with both books and even revealed he has a third in the works. Speaking of how he knew he could write, Armitage explained: "I think having worked for quite a long time in long-form television, I've watched how shows are constructed and how your cliffhangers are made, and how you climax in the middle and how you finish something, how not to cheat an audience, how not to create too many coincidences... "So I love all of that and I love figuring it out. I realised the second time around, I was like, I can express myself without having to write an autobiography. I can sort of weave in a few little philosophical opinions, a few political opinions that I have about life, and it's all kind of nicely wrapped up like an M&M." Describing the process as "thrilling", Armitage revealed: "I'm sort of planning a third." Dish from Waitrose is available on all podcast providers. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Richard Armitage on casting The Stranger co-star in new audiobook The Cut
Jacob Dudman previously played Armitage's character's son in the Harlan Coben series.
After his first audiobook Geneva went down a storm in 2022, The Hobbit and Red Eye star Richard Armitage is back with a new thriller for Audible, The Cut. While his first effort starred both Armitage and his Spooks co-star Nicola Walker, for The Cut, Armitage cast Jacob Dudman. The story is split into two timelines, with Dudman taking on the section set in the past, in 1994, and Armitage reading the section set in 2024. Of course, Armitage and Dudman previously worked together on Harlan Coben's The Stranger, in which they played father and son. Speaking with RadioTimes.com exclusively, Armitage explained how Dudman's casting came about. "There was a conversation early on about having multiple readers, or female characters. We talked about maybe having a teenage girl read the 1993 chapters, because the victim of the crime is female. But then I realised that this was a battle of wills between two boys, really. "So there was a discussion about whether I should read both parts, but I felt that this needed somebody that could access that kind of exuberance and youthful joy of graduating from high school, that could tackle multiple voices, the school teachers, the kids, the teenage girls, the teenage boys, the sensitivity of that period of life, and of course, the person that just dropped into my head, because he is a master of voices, was Jacob Dudman." He continued: "And I knew him personally because we worked together on The Stranger, and I knew what a great actor he is, and also what a lovely person he is. "And I just thought, 'Someone with a big heart like Jacob would be perfect for this character', because I knew that he would handle the really difficult passages so well. So yeah, I'm glad he said yes." Read more: Richard Armitage feared he'd be fired from The Hobbit: 'I didn't even unpack' Richard Armitage wants his Red Eye character to be an "enigma" The Cut follows Ben Knot, who in 1994, along with his friends, bullied a younger boy named Mark Cherry. Violence escalated, and tragedy struck, with one of them being killed. Thirty years on, the audiobook sees Ben move back to the village, as his career as an architect starts to unravel and the murderer from all those years ago is poised to be released from prison. When Ben’s son Nate, a budding actor, lands the lead role in a new horror movie, Ben’s paranoia makes him question the filmmakers’ motives. While speaking with RadioTimes.com, Armitage also confirmed that his first audiobook, Geneva, will be produced as a TV series, with the actor and writer calling it a "daunting and exciting" prospect. The Cut is available to listen to on Audible now. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Primary Phase Special competition - Terms and conditions
The Promoter is Immediate Media Company London Limited (company number 06189487). This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook. The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. The closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 13 March, 2024. By entering the promotion, the participants agree: to be bound by these terms and conditions; and that should they win the promotion, their name and likeness may be used by the Promoter for pre-arranged promotional purposes. Entrants should enter by commenting their favourite Hitchhiker’s Guide character under the competition post on the Radio Times Facebook page, posted on 8 March, 2024. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. The Promoter will use entrants’ name and details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediatemedia.co.uk/privacy-policy). These details are being collected and used by the Promoter, not by Facebook. Only one entry will be permitted per person, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. The prize consists of 5x download codes for the audiobook ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, The Primary Phase Special’, released by Penguin Random House. Codes are valid only for the Google Play Books app, and winners must have a Gmail account in order to redeem. Codes will be supplied via Facebook Direct Message from the official Radio Times Facebook page. Codes must be redeemed within 3 months of the competition closing. Once downloaded, the audiobook will be permanently available within the user’s account. Five winners will be drawn, each receiving 1x code. The winning entrants will be the first five eligible entries drawn at random from all the entries after the closing date. The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. The winner will be notified within 7 days of the close of the promotion by response to their comment from the Radio Times Facebook page. If the winner cannot be contacted, or fails to respond within 7 days of such notification being sent, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to a runner-up, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. There is no cash alternative and the prize will not be transferable. Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of the same or greater value. The surname and county of residence of the winner will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Radio Times Social Media Lead, Immediate Media 44 Brook Grn, London W6 7BT within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winner before releasing this information and provide the winner the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. The Promoter does not accept any responsibility for lost, delayed or fraudulent entries. The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to the winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. By entering this promotion you agree to release Facebook of any liability howsoever caused in respect of this promotion. The promotion is subject to the laws of England.
Buffy spin-off audio series Slayers cancelled after one season
Spike and Oz won't be crossing paths after all.
There won't be another season of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, its co-author has confirmed. The audio project premiered on Audible last year and featured fan favourite Buffy cast members, including James Marsters (Spike), Juliet Landau (Drusilla), Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia), Anthony Head (Giles), Emma Caulfield (Anya) and Amber Benson (Tara). Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Marsters himself had hinted at the possibility of bringing in Oz (Seth Green) should the series return. "I am not in control of any of these decisions but I have fingers crossed that Oz will be making an appearance when we go back and do more," Marsters said at the time. Sadly, though, it looks like Spike and Oz won't cross paths, as Slayers' co-author Christopher Golden revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that Disney will not allow Audible to continue with the project. "Hugely disappointed to share that, despite its enormous success, Disney has refused to allow Audible to proceed with future seasons of Slayers: A Buffyverse Story," he wrote. View oEmbed on the source website Golden went on to say that the media giant hadn't provided an explanation as to why Audible wouldn't be able to continue the story. "Working with this cast, the production team, and the folks at Audible UK -- and seeing the joy in the fan community -- has been one of the happiest experiences of my career. "I'm sorry we won't be able to continue on, but I'm so glad we were able to bring these characters back to you," he added. The first season is available to listen to in full on Audible. Read more: David Tennant reacts to kissing Michael Sheen in Good Omens: ‘It was fun’ Daniel Dae Kim based Avatar: The Last Airbender villain on real politicians Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is available on Audible now. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Buffy's James Marsters refused not to be in love with Dru in Slayers
Buffy star James Marsters ignored instructions to make a significant change to the character of Spike in the new Buffyverse story.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans, rejoice! We finally have a return to the Buffyverse. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is a brand new Audible offering, which acts as an expansion of the Buffyverse. Not technically a sequel or continuation of the Buffy TV series, the audio story nonetheless explores new avenues for some of our favourite characters, picking up 10 years after the events of the series's finale. Spike is deep undercover in Los Angeles, convincing the forces of darkness that he's back to his evil ways – before his cover is blown. So Spike (James Marsters) is back, as is his long, long-time paramour Drusilla (Juliet Landau), alongside Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), Giles (Anthony Head), Anya (Emma Caulfield), Tara (Amber Benson), Clem (James Charles Leary) and Jonathan (Danny Strong). The series also introduces a "new slayer for a new generation", as Marsters puts it: Laya DeLeon Hayes as Indira. In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com, which was conducted in line with SAG-AFTRA union rules, Marsters and Landau revealed what it was like reprising Spike and Dru – and why their infatuation with each other is key to the essence of the characters. "What's amazing from my perspective," Landau said, "is that it's an alternate universe, and Spike and Dru coming back together, you're not sure whether Spike is going to come over to the dark side or whether there's going to be heartbreak and betrayal. "And we have such an epic love story. And that is such a huge component of the characters, along with the nefarious and diabolical things that we do." "I think the reason that my character, Spike, was interesting from the beginning is that they had told me not to play love – because [I was] playing a soulless vampire who didn't have anything," Marsters revealed. "And I decided to not do that!" he laughed. "I really played the love for Drusilla. "I feel like love is where the rocket fuel is; it's the way to connect with the audience. And so I just really leaned into loving the heck out of [Drusilla]. Which was easy, because I had such a bond with Juliet right from the beginning." Where we find Spike and Drusilla in Slayers is, of course, less than straightforward. "And, like any long term relationship, it gets complicated," Marsters teased. "I mean, she at one point took up with the Chaos Demon. But you come back into Slayers and there's a wealth of that to draw [from]. "And there's the real question: will Drusilla be able to pull him back to his old self? Because he does still love her... "Or will he fight that and try to charter the course?" Reflecting on returning to the role of Dru, Landau said: "What's interesting is that Drusilla isn't subservient to anyone, and she isn't an appendage; she drives a lot of the action "I actually find it surprisingly easy to slip back into Dru. Luckily, I don't think I'm her in my personal life, hopefully! I'm a lot more stable and sane. "But I think if you have a character for a long period of time – I know from my theatre background – when you live in a role for a period of time, a run of a show or a series, a part that you've been doing on television, it's somewhere in your DNA, in your tissue, in your being. "So there's an element of it that is easy to sort of just tap right back into." Fans of Buffy will want to head to Audible to delve into this brand new Buffyverse adventure. We can guarantee hearing Spike and Dru's voices again is worth the visit to this new reality. Slayers: A Buffyverse Story is available on Audible now. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times podcast.
Vanessa Kirby and Arthur Darvill to narrate audiobook of Dolly Alderton’s second novel Good Material
Good Material is the second novel from Dolly Alderton.
Actors Vanessa Kirby and Arthur Darvill are taking on the task of narrating the audio edition of Good Material. Good Material, which is set for UK publication on 2nd November through Penguin Random House Audio ahead of the hardback publication on 9th November, is the second novel from writer and journalist Dolly Alderton. The audiobook will star Darvill as Andy and Kirby as Jen from the novel. A tale of heartbreak, the novel follows Andy and Jen, as the former tries to work out why the latter has stopped loving him. The official synopsis reads: “Now he is without a home, waiting for his stand-up career to take off, wondering why everyone else around him seems to have grown up. "Set adrift on the sea of heartbreak at a time when everything he thought he knew about women and flat-sharing and his friendships has transformed beyond recognition, Andy clings to the idea of solving the puzzle of their broken relationship." It continues: "Because if he can find the answer to that, then maybe Jen can find her way back to him. Andy still has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend’s side of the story." Darvill is best known for his role as Rory Williams in Doctor Who, while other TV roles include Reverend Paul Coates in Broadchurch and Rip Hunter in Legends of Tomorrow. Meanwhile, fans will recognise Kirby for her role as Princess Margaret in Netflix series The Crown, while other credits include BBC series The Hour. Kirby has also appeared in films including Richard Curtis’s About Time, Mission Impossible, Hobbs and Shawm, and Mona Fastvold’s The World To Come. Most recently, she starred in Florian Zeller’s The Son and more recently starred in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One. Good Material is Alderton’s second novel and fourth book, with previous titles including Dear Dolly, Everything I Know About Love, and Ghosts. Alderton’s memoir, Everything I Know About Love, was adapted into a seven-part series for the BBC in 2022, starring Emma Appleton, Bel Powley, Aliyah Odoffin, Marli Siu and Connor Finch. View Green Video on the source website If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa takes the lead in David Copperfield audio
Gatwa leads the cast in the new audio drama from Sam Mendes.
Following his all-star adaptation of Oliver Twist last year, the cast has now been announced for Skyfall and Spectre director Sam Mendes's audio adaptation of Charles Dickens's David Copperfield. Starring in the title role of the Academy Award-winning director's re-telling of the story will be new Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, while he will be joined by The Crown's Helena Bonham Carter as Aunt Betsey Trotwood and The White Lotus's Theo James as James Steerforth. Also featuring in the audio drama will be Jessie Buckley (Women Talking), Richard Armitage (Obsession), Jack Lowden (Slow Horses), Toby Jones (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), Ralph Ineson (The Gallows Pole), Indira Varma (Extrapolations) and Katy Wix (Ghosts). As in the novel, Mendes's version of David Copperfield will see Gatwa's hero finding his way in a challenging world. You can pre-order the audio drama, which will be released on 30th November, right here now. The official synopsis for the audio drama says: "We journey with David as he comes across his eccentric Aunt Betsey, the faithful Peggotty and loquacious Mr Micawber, comes up against the villainous Micawbers and Uriah Heep, and falls in love with Little Em'ly, Dora and Agnes. Read more: Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa says his incarnation is "emotionally vulnerable" Ncuti Gatwa: 'Doctor Who is ultimately about kindness and acceptance' "And then there is old school friend James Steerforth, dashing, daring and seductive. This dramatisation explores the complexities and intimacies of that relationship beyond anything possible in Dickens's day, in an adaptation giving fresh life and vividness to this beloved tale." Mendes said: "I'm thrilled to continue my collaboration with Audible after the success of Oliver Twist, and where better to go next than to David Copperfield, which for so many – and indeed for Dickens himself – is a favourite amongst his canon?" He continued: "We have an outstanding cast, led by the incomparable Ncuti Gatwa, whose amazing comic timing brings new dimensions to the character of David. "In the sound design we’ve leaned into hyper realism so that the listener really feels like they’re on the journey with David through his misfortunes and triumphs. Another feast for the ears." View Green Video on the source website Sam Mendes’s David Copperfield is available to pre-order now at Audible - get a free trial for Audible here. and will be released on 30th November 2023. Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Get three months Audible free with this early Amazon Prime Day deal
Whether it's the warm comfort of Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter, or on the edge of your seat trying to work out whodunit in Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club, Audible is a great way to experience books while you're on the go. Here's how Prime members can get three months entirely for free.
From the comforting words of your favourite childhood storybook, to being gripped by the latest crime thriller - there's nothing like a good book. With Audible, you can listen to all your favourites while you're driving, riding the train, or doing the washing up — don't tell anyone we're listening to Winnie the Pooh on the way to work! Audible is the audiobook listening service by Amazon. It allows you to listen to all your favourite books, with features to play at faster speeds (so you can get through those boring bits), plus a timer function - which works really well if you listen to fall asleep but don't want the book to keep playing once you doze off. For all you need to know, check out our guide to how does Audible work? Right now, you can get three months of Audible for free if you're an Amazon Prime member. The deal runs for the next couple of weeks until Thursday 13th July, so you have a limited time if you want to make the most of it. Get a three month Audible free trial Who is eligible for the Audible free trial? The Audible free trial is available to Amazon Prime members. It's important to know that to take advantage of the free trial, this has to be your first experience with Audible — if you're already a member, or if you've taken part in a previous free trial as a Prime member, you won't be able to take part. However, if you haven't had an Audible membership for over a year you will be able to take part. Get a three month Audible free trial Not a Prime member? Don't worry, you can still take advantage of the usual 30-day free trial, which we still think is a pretty good deal. If you're after a good offer, read our guide to the best Audible deals this month. Sign up for a 30-day Audible free trial How to get a three month Audible free trial If you're a Prime Member, all you have to do is sign up to Audible today using your Amazon log in details to make the most of the three month Audible free trial. After the three months comes to an end, your Audible membership will automatically renew at £7.99 per month, but you can cancel it at any time. Get a three month Audible free trial Here at RadioTimes.com we have all the latest Technology information, from What is Sky Live to everything you need to know about how to buy the new Amazon Echo Pop. If you want to make the most of Prime Day we have all the advice for the big day in our guide to the best early Amazon Prime Day deals.
Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock brings her own Little Mermaid to Audible
The pop star's lived experience is woven into the classic tale.
Little Mix icon Leigh-Anne Pinnock is narrating a new adaptation of The Little Mermaid for Audible, which is available to listen to from today. This version of the fairytale has been adapted by Dina Gregory from the original work by Hans Christian Andersen, with elements of Pinnock's own life experience added to the story. Of course, given her astronomical success in the music business, it only makes sense that Pinnock's The Little Mermaid also contains fantastical musical elements, featuring original vocals from Anaiis, Kersha Bailey, Sairah Rowe and Nadine Samuels. The result of their efforts, combined with those of award-winning producers String and Tins, is described as a "magical underwater soundscape" by the audio book service. Pinnock said: "The Little Mermaid is one of the most iconic fairy tales and it has so many fans at every age. I felt personally drawn to this adaption from Dina, as I related to so many themes within the storyline. "My narration was inspired by both my own culture and experience and I wanted my community to be represented in this version of the classic tale. I hope listeners enjoy the retelling as much as I enjoyed narrating it!" The story takes listeners deep beneath the ocean waves to an underwater kingdom constructed of coral and amber, where the merpeople live in secret. There we meet the titular Little Mermaid, who runs away to the surface in pursuit of a new life, soon discovering a three-masted ship drifting in calm waters and the prince serving on its crew – but don't expect a simple romance here. Read more: The Little Mermaid trailer gives first look at Melissa McCarthy's Ursula Richard Armitage wants a TV adaptation of his new audiobook Gregory explained: "In the popular imagination, The Little Mermaid has morphed into a happy-ever-after fairy-tale despite the original story’s darker ending. "Never destined to marry the prince, this voiceless outsider is forsaken by a world that deems her 'other'. With Leigh-Anne Pinnock narrating this adaptation, I saw an opportunity to reclaim both Andersen’s vision and the little mermaid’s voice." She added: "As a biracial writer, I’m inspired by Leigh-Anne’s advocacy. Against the odds, she vaulted to pop stardom – only to discover an industry and fanbase often hostile to women of colour. Undaunted, she has used her experience to speak out against racism. "Who better, then, to give voice to a mermaid who, like Leigh-Anne, follows a dream, endures its trials, and grows stronger for it." View Green Video on the source website The Little Mermaid comes to Audible on Thursday 23rd March 2023. Get Audible for £3.99 per month for 4 months. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who to release special story for International Women's Day 2023
Louise Jameson and Tom Baker are reprising their Doctor Who roles for a new Big Finish audio special.
Louise Jameson is headlining a Doctor Who audio special to mark International Women's Day 2023. Jameson, who played companion Leela from 1977 until 1978, will write and star in The Eighth of March: A Ghost of Alchemy alongside Tom Baker, who'll reprise his role as the Fourth Doctor. In the audio adventure from Big Finish, Leela and the Fourth Doctor will meet renowned scientist Marie Curie (Holly Jackson Walters) on a trip to 1921 New York. "But the time travellers are not the only people interested in the famous scientist," Big Finish teases. "Sinister forces are gathering around her and the TARDIS crew will have to work their utmost to keep her safe on her historic journey through the United States." A Ghost of Alchemy will be the first story in The Eighth of March, a new boxset celebrating incredible Doctor Who heroines to be released on International Women's Day, 8th March 2023. "Marie Curie was just the most extraordinary and fascinating woman who saved many a life," writer and star Jameson said. "She was also genuinely very shy and didn’t like crowds or public speaking. It was really hard to pare down to the story that we have now." The audio special also features the voices of Penelope Rawlins (Mrs. W. B. Meloney), Susan Penhaligon (Florence Harding), Harry Myers (President Harding), Akshaye Khanna (Dr Rushton) and Nicholas Farrell (Mr Browman). Two stories will be available as a collector's edition CD boxset and download for £19.999 or download only for £16.99, with the second story being announced soon. Jameson last played Leela on screen in the 1993 Dimension in Time charity Doctor Who special alongside Sylvester McCoy, Colin Baker, Peter Davison, Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee. However, she has voiced the role for many releases from Big Finish, beginning with Zagreus in 2003 and including spin-off series Gallifrey. The Worlds of Doctor Who – The Eighth of March is available to pre-order from £16.99 at bigfinish.com. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer with episodes of the classic series also available on BritBox – you can sign up for a 7-day free trial here. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage and visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Paterson Joseph and Bill Nighy to play Sherlock Holmes and Watson
A new Sherlock Holmes Audible adaptation with an all-star cast? Sign us up.
It really is the season for all things crime and sleuthing-related, isn't it? With upcoming series like Lockwood & Co, You season 4 and Magpie Murders to look forward to, the appetite for mystery is in full force. Joining the offerings this January is brand new <a href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=71026X1569659&isjs=1&jv=15.3.0-stackpath&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiotimes.com%2Fnews%2Fsam-mendes-charles-dickens-audible%2F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fhz%2Faudible%2Fmlp%3Ftag%3Dradtim0b-21%26ascsubtag%3Dradiotimes-1690128&xs=1&xtz=0&xuuid=eececb0645b74febebff725ba3fb3d66&xcust=radiotimes-1690128&xjsf=other_click__contextmenu%20%5B0%5D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Audible drama Baker Street Four. The new adaptation of the beloved Sherlock Holmes tale will be told via an all-star cast, which includes Bill Nighy, Paterson Joseph and Celia Imrie. Based on the graphic novel series Les Quatre de Baker Street by Olivier Legrand, JB Djian and illustrated by David Etien, the Audible Original adaptation introduces Kiki May (Ted Lasso), Nathan Moses (Small Axe) and Charlie Brand as the Baker Street Irregulars – three young apprentices of Sherlock Holmes, who will be played by Paterson Joseph. We follow the trio as they assist the famous detective in the back streets of London’s East End with the help of their faithful cat Watson (Bill Nighy) and Sherlock’s beloved housekeeper Mrs Hudson (Celia Imrie). The apprentices are forced to take local crimes into their own hands while Holmes is off solving mysteries abroad, but how will it all end? The story tracks the Baker Street Irregulars as they pursue different cases, growing by the day as young detectives and as friends. Speaking about his new role in the Audible Original, Nighy said: “I'm very happy to be involved in a fresh and unexpected version of the Sherlock Holmes story. I enjoyed playing a cat. It's my first cat, if you can believe that. I hope everyone enjoys the series and I think it's the perfect way to introduce young people to the legend." View oEmbed on the source website Celia Imrie added: “The world of Sherlock Holmes remains a classic for so many reasons, and Baker Street Four really showcases this. It has humour, suspense and heart. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed working on this, especially with the young actors who brought so much energy to the production!" Paterson Joseph, who will be voicing the role of Sherlock Holmes and has most recently been seen in BBC One's Vigil and Noughts + Crosses, also said of the new role: “The wonder of recording sound, only, is the gift of imagination you can offer an attentive audience. "The energy needed to truly fill in the picture is rewarded like no other medium. It was a tremendous honour for me to be asked to play Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street Four in this Audible production – and I'd do it all again at the drop of me deerstalker.” The full cast of Baker Street Four also includes: Chipo Chung, Claudia Jolly, Connie Sweet, David Holt, David Robb, Finlay Paul, Harry Myers, Hazel Ellerby, Imogen Front, Joanna David, Jon Glover, Katja Quist, Michael Abayomi, Nikesh Patel, Preeya Kalidas, Robert Glenister, Roger Watkins and Sam Dale. View Green Video on the source website Baker Street Four will be available exclusively on Audible on Thursday 19th January 2023 – sign-up for your 30-day free Audible trial here. If you're looking for something to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Drama hub for more news and features. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Brian Cox and Daniel Kaluuya star in Oliver Twist audio adaptation
The new audiobook has been produced by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.
Audible has unveiled its brand-new all-star audiobook version of Oliver Twist, produced by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (Skyfall, 1917). It stars Brian Cox (Succession) as Fagin, Daniel Kaluuya (Nope) as Bill Sikes, Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as Nancy and Emilio Villa-Muhammad (The Man Who Fell to Earth) as Oliver. The stacked cast also includes Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Paapa Essiedu (The Capture), Julia Davis (Gavin & Stacey), Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), Patricia Allison (Sex Education), Diane Morgan (Motherland) and Lucian Msamati (Gangs of London). The audiobook is released today (30th November) – you can listen to it right here or sign up for a 30-day free trial of Audible here. Cox said: “Dickens was a genius storyteller and Oliver Twist may be his greatest ever work. Reimagining a character as complex and changeable as Fagin offers a real challenge for an actor, and I hope listeners enjoy our telling of this masterpiece.” View oEmbed on the source website Kaluuya added: "There are few villains as infamous or terrifying as Bill Sikes, and I really enjoyed getting the chance to record a new take on him for Audible. Keep the lights on – some of his scenes are really dark." Meanwhile, Mendes said: "Dickens was the ultimate storyteller, and hearing Oliver Twist come to life in such a compelling, 3D way feels exactly how he might have wanted it to be experienced. "The cast is fantastic, and I’ve never heard an audio production before that is so filmic. It’s cinema for the ears." The new audio drama tells Dickens's classic story, with young orphan Oliver born into a grim 19th century workhouse, yet later being evicted and eventually getting ingratiated into a gang of young pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger (Elijah Wolf) and Cox's Fagin. The audiobook features an original score from Dan Gillespie-Sells, and includes Foley recordings captured in Dickens’s former London house at 48 Doughty Street, in the rooms where he originally wrote the novel. Two more Audible Original adaptations of Charles Dickens classics are set to be produced by Mendes, with the second instalment in this trilogy being released next year. Other recent releases from Audible include Richard Armitage's debut audiobook Geneva, which also features Armitage's former Spooks co-star Nicola Walker. Sam Mendes' Oliver Twist is available now exclusively on Audible - sign up for a 30-day free trial of Audible here. Looking for something to watch? Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
David Tennant returns as Luther Arkwright for Big Finish adventure
The actor last played the role 18 years ago.
David Tennant will reprise his role as Luther Arkwright in a new Big Finish audio drama, which serves as a belated sequel to a cult favourite title released almost two decades ago. Based on the comic book created by Bryan Talbot, The Adventures of Luther Arkwright follows the eponymous character as he travels through parallel universes and battles the sinister Disruptors. Big Finish first tackled the high concept material back in 2005, but now the esteemed producers of audio content are returning for a sequel, which adapts Talbot's 1999 story Heart of Empire. Set 23 years after the original, this epic tale features the return of Luther himself and the introduction of his daughter, Victoria, to be played by Georgina Hellier (Industry). Along with Tennant, several other actors from the original Luther Arkwright audio book are returning, including India Fisher (as Queen Anne), Siri O'Neal (as Rose), Robert Jezek (as Karl), and Jez Fielder (as Harry Fairfax and Dr John Dee). Tennant said: “Luther Arkwright was introduced to me by Big Finish with the script of the first instalment. When I read it, I was captivated. There’s something very hypnotic about the world that Bryan Talbot creates. It was hugely appealing! "What a treat that we’ve gotten to revisit this world and these characters.” Bryan Talbot added: “After their great adaptation of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, I can’t wait to hear Big Finish’s production of the second story, Heart of Empire. I’m especially pleased that David Tennant is reprising his role as Luther Arkwright.” The new box set due for release in June 2023 will include two full-cast audio dramas, Part One: Daughter of Albion and Part Two: Cataclysm, with listener discretion advised due to adult content not suitable for younger listeners. Director and executive producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Bryan’s work with Heart of Empire. I first came across The Adventures of Luther Arkwright in a small comic shop whilst at university. "I was immediately caught up in the amazing world that Bryan created and the vivid characters that inhabited that world. It was truly ahead of its time." When Tennant first voiced the role of Luther Arkwright, he was yet to take on the Doctor Who gig that would make him a household name across the country. Fans are now eagerly awaiting his return in the 60th anniversary special. Earlier this month, he explained how the unexpected reprisal happened "by accident". The Adventures of Luther Arkwright: Heart of Empire is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition 2-disc CD box set (+ download for just £15.99) or digital download only (for just £12.99) from BigFinish.com. From November 2022, new pre-order prices will apply for unreleased box sets. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Richard Armitage wants a TV adaptation of his new audiobook
Armitage's audiobook Geneva is out now and also stars Nicola Walker.
Fresh from appearing in Harlan Coben's Stay Close On Netflix last year, Richard Armitage's latest project is another thriller but this time it's one that he's written himself. Armitage's brand-new audiobook, which he also stars in alongside Nicola Walker, is called Geneva. It tells the story of a Nobel Prize winning scientist and her husband who travel to Switzerland for a vital conference, and becoming wrapped up in the revolutionary work of the enigmatic Mauritz Schiller. From there, a high-stakes game ensues. Armitage spoke exclusively with RadioTimes.com about the project, and it seems audiences could be seeing a TV adaptation of the thriller in the future. When asked whether he has ever visited Geneva himself, Armitage revealed he actually went there to scout locations. He said: "I was writing initially from memory because I visited there a long time ago, I think in the early 2000s. And then I wanted to go in winter time but I got caught up in a film project so I couldn't go." View oEmbed on the source website He continued: "But I went at the first opportunity, I mean the book had been written but I went and did a research trip where I went to all of the locations and made sure all of the journeys were the correct length, and just sort of picked up some tiny little details that you can only get from visiting, you can't get it from Google Earth. "But it was brilliant, it was really exciting to stumble on things that I'm like, 'oh, that can be the cabin in the woods!'. And I found the location of where the Schiller Institute would be and so I did a bit of a location recce for myself, so when I come to make the TV show I'll know exactly where to go." Asked whether a TV adaptation is something he would want to pursue, Armitage said: "Absolutely! I mean as soon as I can get this under the nose of some people in high places, I will certainly sort of start gifting it to them for Christmas, like 'here’s my audiobook, happy Christmas!'." Alongside his live-action roles Armitage is known for voicing Trevor Belmont on Netflix's animated series Castlevania, which is set to continue with a sequel series currently in development called Castlevania: Nocturne. Geneva will be available exclusively on Audible in November 2022. www.audible.co.uk. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Richard Armitage: Spooks scene inspired Nicola Walker audiobook casting
Armitage's new audiobook Geneva is available now.
The Hobbit and The Stranger star Richard Armitage is no stranger to voice work, but his most recent audiobook is a project which is an entirely new venture for the actor - he is not only starring in the audio drama, but he has also written it. Armitage's audiobook is Geneva, an Audible exclusive thriller which follows Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sarah Schaffer and her husband Daniel, who become entangled in a high stakes game after travelling to Switzerland for a vital conference Sarah is voiced by Nicola Walker, with the project making for a Spooks reunion with Armitage, after the pair starred in that BBC show as Ruth Evershed and Lucas North. Armitage spoke about his new audiobook exclusively with RadioTimes.com, and it turns out that the pair's Spooks played an even bigger role in Walker's casting than it might have originally seemed. View oEmbed on the source website Armitage said: "It's interesting, because there were quite a few names being thrown around. And Audible were so brilliant to me, they said 'you can choose your reader'. But I also felt like, and I feel this about anything that I'm developing, I have to slightly step back from it because otherwise you just end up hiring your friends. And I wanted the best person for the role. "But when her name came up, it was literally in the same week that I had written a scene which in retrospect was a subliminal recall of a scene I've actually played with Nicola in Spooks where she's tied up and drugged at the end of Lucas North’s story. "And when I saw Nicola’s name on the page, I was like 'that's serendipity', because I'd literally just had her face in my head, accidentally. So I thought she was going to be perfect. And so I said 'I'd be happy with this selection', and then it just so happened that it was Nicola so I was really thrilled. "She's such an actor of gravity, I thought she'll be perfect for this role and she will make it her own. So I felt very honoured that she said yes." Armitage is also set to star in an upcoming Netflix series Damage, which also features Charlie Murphy and Indira Varma and is based on the 1991 novella of the same name from Josephine Hart. Geneva will be available exclusively on Audible in November 2022. www.audible.co.uk. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Sam Mendes partners with Audible for new Dickens audio dramas
Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, of American Beauty and Skyfall fame, is producing three exciting Charles Dickens audio dramas exclusively for Audible.
While you’re travelling between Two Cities, popping into an Old Curiosity Shop, or visiting a Mutual Friend, you might have an audiobook on. Audiobooks are a brilliant way to devour a book when you don’t have the time to sit down and read a physical one, as audiobooks can be consumed while you’re doing your weekly shop, on a jog, washing the pots, and just generally doing bits and bobs. The Amazon-owned audiobook service, Audible, is considered by some the Disney+ of audiobook services as it has some fantastic perks: signing up to Audible gets you unlimited listening to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks — alongside one new audiobook every month. Now, Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes is throwing his hat into the audiobook ring and has partnered with Audible to produce exclusive audio dramas of three of Charles Dickens’ classic tales. We have Great Expectations about this collaboration. Sign-up for your 30-day free Audible trial Which Charles Dickens books is Sam Mendes adapting for Audible? British director Sam Mendes, who is responsible for iconic movies such as 1917 and Spectre, is collaborating with Audible to produce audio dramas of Charles Dickens’ most popular books. ‘What’s an audio drama?’ we hear you ask. It’s a drama with no visual component, so it relies on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story. The first instalment in the collection is a reimagining of Oliver Twist. It will be released exclusively on Audible in November 2022, and a further two titles will follow in 2023. The series will be brought to life by an all-star British cast, and will be recorded in the city that inspired a lot of the author’s work: London. Speaking about the audio drama’s location, Sam Mendes said: “The London headquarters of Audible sit on the very streets where Charles Dickens walked, and from which he drew many of his astonishing array of characters. "It seems like a perfect marriage – the most prolific storytellers of our age, with the greatest storyteller of all time. I’m delighted to be working with Audible to bring some of my favourite Dickens novels to life, using the vibrant sounds of London to create an immersive sense of the city, and a fantastic collection of actors to create the timeless characters who inhabit it. "This will truly be a cinema for the ears — a chance to experience the extraordinary and kaleidoscopic world of Dickens in a whole new way.” If you're not yet an Audible subscriber, then do we have a treat for you. Check out our best Audible deals guide to bag yourself a free 30-day trial or get 50% off your membership for four months, if you know you'll need more than a month. Sign-up for your 30-day free Audible trial Which Charles Dickens books are on Audible? Although November isn't too far away to wait for Sam Mendes' reimagining of Oliver Twist, there are plenty of Charles Dickens audiobooks available on Audible to sink your teeth into right now. Here's a list of the titles and who they're narrated by: Great Expectations, narrated by Eddie Izzard A Christmas Carol, narrated by Hugh Grant Bleak House, narrated by Miriam Margolyes A Tale of Two Cities, narrated by Simon Callow The Old Curiosity Shop, narrated by George Hagan Hard Times, narrated by Alistair Maydon Dombey and Son, narrated by John Richmond Oliver Twist, narrated by Peter Wickham Bleak House, narrated by Sean Barrett and Teresa Gallagher A Christmas Carol, narrated by Tom Baker Little Dorrit, narrated by Anton Lesser Great Expectations, narrated by Martin Jarvis Our Mutual Friend, narrated by David Timson The Old Curiosity Shop, narrated by Anton Lesser Sign-up for your 30-day free Audible trial Fancy walking in Charles Dickens' footsteps? Check out our best London walking tours recommendations. For more savings, head over to our best Kindle deals and Sky Sports offers pages.
Richard Armitage to release debut book on Audible
First details are out on the brand new psychological thriller.
The debut fiction novel from Richard Armitage will be released exclusively as an Audible Original later this year, it was announced today. Known for his past collaborations with Peter Jackson on The Hobbit trilogy along with Harlan Coben on Netflix dramas The Stranger and Stay Close, the actor is now turning his hand to crafting his own story. Geneva is billed as a psychological thriller which follows Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sarah Schaffer and her husband, Daniel, who become entangled in a high stakes game after travelling to Switzerland for a vital conference. Uncertain of who they can trust, the couple soon begins to question everything they thought they knew about their work and their marriage, which places an extraordinary strain on their sanity. Richard Armitage said: "The process of creating an original story has been an exciting opportunity for me. Crafting a psychological thriller, springing from a fascination with science and technology, and deep love of this genre is a dream come true. I’m honoured that Audible have chosen their platform as a place for my debut as a writer." Previously, the Castlevania voice actor has worked with Audible as a narrator on several titles – including the best-selling Jackman & Evans series – with the service describing him as a "listener favourite". Aurelie De Troyer, Senior Vice President of International Content at Audible, added: "We’re proud to have a longstanding relationship with Richard as one of our most celebrated narrators. We are even prouder to be releasing his authorial debut – a fast-paced character-driven thriller we know will have our listeners hooked." Geneva will be available exclusively on Audible in November 2022: www.audible.co.uk. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.
Bridgerton and Doctor Who stars join Stephen Fry for new Sleeping Beauty from Audible
Phoebe Dynevor and Rochenda Sandall join the voice cast for this fairytale audiobook.
Stephen Fry is set to narrate a festive edition of Sleeping Beauty alongside Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor and Doctor Who's Rochenda Sandall, with RadioTimes.com able to share an exclusive featurette on how the audiobook's soundtrack was recorded. The festive reimagining of the classic fairytale is set for release on Thursday 2nd December, with Dynevor voicing Aurora and Fry lending his voice to her father King Lothar, who adopts the young princess and raises her as his own. Line of Duty star Sandall voices Aurora's mother, who takes revenge on the king by placing a curse on the princess and the kingdom, which is plunged into an enchanted slumber. Shortly afterwards, the woodcutter's son Peter – who is voiced by 1917's Adam Hugill – sets out on a journey to rescue his true love Aurora and break the curse. The audiobook is accompanied by a soundtrack performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, which is inspired by Tchaikovsky's classic ballet score and detailed in the exclusive clip featuring interviews with director Tamsin Collison and producer Jonathan Allen. View oEmbed on the source website Speaking about the audiobook, Phoebe Dynevor said: "As an actor, you are so used to working on every element of a character, from their characteristics, their movements, traits, expressions. "Having just your voice to convey every motion for the listener was a brilliant learning experience, a welcomed challenge and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the team on this project – especially having grown up with the story of Sleeping Beauty." Sleeping Beauty is available exclusively on Audible from Thursday 2nd December. Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.
Matt Smith voices Winston Smith in new 1984 audiobook
The House of the Dragon star is set to narrate a re-released version of the classic novel.
Matt Smith has lent his voice to a new audiobook – a re-released version of George Orwell's novel 1984. The House of the Dragon star voices Winston Smith in the upcoming audiobook, which is a re-release of the classic novel by cyber-security company Avast to highlight how online surveillance today is reminiscent of Orwell's Big Brother society. "Twenty Twenty-One demonstrates the similarities between our modern connected lives and many of the hyper-surveillance themes Orwell predicted over 70 years ago," the company writes. The audiobook is set for release on Spotify and Apple Podcasts from today and features the Doctor Who star reading Winston Smith's diary entries, which were first published back in 1949. "Nineteen Eighty-Four is a literary classic and Winston is a fascinating character, so to be able to bring the story into the modern day is an honour," Smith said in a statement. "Great literature maintains a universality over the course of time - particularly true in the case of this novel, which still feels extremely pertinent today," he added. "I’ve got involved in this project as I feel having digital freedom online is so important in today’s society. "In a world where we may feel required to share more of ourselves than ever before, it’s something we should endeavour to be really diligent about." The literary classic follows Smith, a government employee who is tasked with rewriting historical records whilst living under a totalitarian regime led by the mysterious Big Brother. When he begins a secret love affair with colleague Julia, he begins to question Big Brother's authority and tries to fight back. Twenty Twenty-One will be available to stream on Spotify and Apple Podcasts from Wednesday 1st December. Check out our full TV Guide or visit our Fantasy hub for more news.
Listen to an exclusive clip of JK Rowling's new audio book, The Christmas Pig
Get festive early with a Yuletide porker!
Yes, we know we haven't even had Halloween yet, but we can't resist thinking about Christmas already. After all, it was a strange one last year. As well as the turkey and presents, there will be all sorts of festive entertainment to look forward to, from TV specials to blockbuster films. Plus, there will be Christmassy audio books to enjoy, including JK Rowling's latest release, The Christmas Pig. If, like us, you have the patience of a gnat, you'll be pleased to hear that RadioTimes.com has secured an exclusive clip from the new story. The Christmas Pig is the tale of a little boy called Jack and his beloved childhood toy, Dur Pig (DP), which goes missing one Christmas Eve. Then something magical happens as his new toy, the Christmas Pig, comes to life and conjures up a daring plan to save DP's bacon (we couldn't resist...). According to the official information, the story is "A heartwarming adventure about one child’s love for his most treasured thing and how far he will go to find it. A tale for the whole family to fall in love with, from one of the world’s greatest storytellers." Check out our exclusive clip below: View oEmbed on the source website If you like the sound of the story, it's available to download on Audible right now. RadioTimes.com will keep you up to date with all the upcoming Christmas specials on TV, at the cinema and on your podcast apps, just watch this space. <a href="https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Christmas-Pig-Audiobook/B092NV1KQC/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Christmas-Pig-Audiobook/B092NV1KQC?qid%3D1634652410%26sr%3D1-26%26ref%3Da_search_c3_lProduct_2_6%26pf_rd_p%3Dc6e316b8-14da-418d-8f91-b3cad83c5183%26pf_rd_r%3DKN7Y1WWMA97XDDWZGV91&source=gmail&ust=1634742424712000&usg=AFQjCNHuVYoe8B9aTJQDa7kw5EtBnSVJnQ">The Christmas Pig by JK Rowling is available in audio exclusively on Audible now. If you're looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
David Tennant, Regé-Jean Page and Emma Corrin join cast of The Sandman on Audible
The audio series also features James McAvoy and and Michael Sheen.
Audible has announced further casting for The Sandman: Act II, including Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page, Emma Corrin (The Crown), and David Tennant. The audio drama series, based on the best-selling graphic novel series by Neil Gaiman, will adapt Volumes Four and Five (Season of Mists and A Game of You, respectively) for the upcoming sequel. The first instalment was a smash-hit, with a star-studded voice cast featuring Michael Sheen, who co-starred alongside Tennant in Good Omens, based on another Gaiman classic co-written with Terry Pratchett. Other returning members of the original voice cast include James McAvoy (X-Men: First Class, Split), Kat Dennings (Big Mouth, 2 Broke Girls) and Andy Serkis, while Gaiman himself provides the narration. The audio series sequel, which will be debuting on 22nd September on Audible, will be released prior to the upcoming Netflix live action adaptation. The Sandman cast for the drama has already been confirmed, including actor and comedian Asim Chaudhry as Abel, who last month spoke to RadioTimes.com about the "insane" scale of The Sandman series. "I play Abel and it's just such a great character to play," he said. "He's definitely got kind of comedic kind of tones to him. But there's a lot of kind of sadness to the character – you know, the fact that he gets killed all the time by his brother [Cain, played by Unforgotten's Sanjeev Bhaskar]. "And he kind of does it all with a happy face." He added, "It's really amazing. The scale of [the show] is just insane. It feels like a proper show – it feels like a big, big Netflix show. It's honour to be part of it, so I'm really excited." Chaudhry added that Gaiman was "so involved with everything", which he said is "really essential to keep the quality control up, because obviously it's his vision". The Sandman is available now from Audible.com/TheSandman. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.