Thrush Green: A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation
"Wonderful comedy drama adapted from the beloved novels featuring an all-star cast
Welcome to Thrush Green, a small and peaceful village in the Cotswolds, where everything and nothing happens. This wonderful, gentle comedy features and all-star cast including Adam Godley (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Anna Massey (Rebecca), Geoffrey Whitehead (Poirot) and Trevor Peacock (The Vicar of Dibley). Over two series we follow the highs and lows of village life in this 60s village.
In series one, a young doctor comes to Thrush Green on the day of the spring fair and causes a stir. A host of unforgettable characters, from the school mistress to the church sexton, show that village life is far from quiet and challenges, secret love affairs, and even trials can make the seemingly most peaceful of villages teem with intrigue and delight. In the second series, we return to Thrush Green our familiar cast of characters is mixed with some new faces. When a young woman arrives in a red mini with her son in tow, confirmed bachelor Harold is smitten. The vicar is battling with not only a crumbling rectory but also an unexpected crisis and who will take care of Dotty Harmer’s animals when she is taken ill?
Written in the 1960s by Dora Saint, under the pen name Miss Read, these charming stories are laced with gentle humour and subtle social commentary. If you are fan of Barbara Pym or E.M. Delafield, then this is the perfect listen for you. A treat from the archive not to be missed.
Cast and credits
Series 1
Written by Miss Read
Dramatised by Lesley Bruce
Directed by Clare Grove and Marylin Imrie
Doctor Lovell - Adam Godley
Dotty Harmer - Anna Massey
Ella Bembridge - Maggie McCarthy
Dimity Dean - Janet Maw
Dr Bailey - Terence Edmond
Mrs Bailey - Marlene Sidaway
Miss Fogerty - Marcia Warren
Miss Watson - Linda Basset
Charles Henstock - Ian Masters
Harold Shoosmith - John Rowe
Albert Piggott - Trevor Peacock
Nelly Tiling - Annette Badland
Mrs Butler - Ann Beach
Mrs Cooke - Colleen Prendergast
Willie/Mulloy - Paul Ritter
PC - Ben Crowe
Witness - Harry Myers
Miss Potter - Tilly Gaunt
Ray - Christopher Scott
Mrs White/Kathleen - Jillie Meers
Robert/Edward - Andrew Harrison
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24th May - 28th Jun 1999
Series 2
Written by Miss Read
Dramatised by Nick Warburton
Directed by Mary Peate and Marylin Imrie
Charles Henstock - Ian Masters
Ella Bembridge - Salina Cadwell
Dimity Dean - Janet Maw
Harold - Geoffrey Whitehead
Phil - Teresa Gallagher
Betty - June Barrie
Frank - Andrew Harrison
Anthony - Duncan Bell
Isobel - Dinah Stabb
Winnie - Marlene Sidaway
Dr Lovell - Adam Godley
Dotty Harmer - Anna Massey
Albert Piggott - Trevor Peacock
Nelly Tiling - Annette Badland
Molly - Alison Pettit
Ben - Tom George
Willie - Paul Ritter
Miss Potter - Tilly Gaunt
Ray - Christopher Scott
Mrs White/Kathleen - Jillie Meers
Jenny - Rachel Atkins
Percy - Geoffrey Greenhill
First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3rd Apr - 8th May 2000
©2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd"
Miss Read (Author), Adam Godley, Anna Massey, Annette Badland, Anny Tobin, Full Cast, Geoffrey Whitehead, Ian Masters, Janet Maw, John Rowe, June Barrie, Linda Bassett, Lynne Verrall, Maggie McCarthy, Marcia Warren, Teresa Gallagher, Trevor Peacock (Narrator)
Audiobook
