A very royal saga about The Crown and a very historic house

In this story of Crown House, the grand home of the Ministers, the bond is built between the Minister family and the House of Windsor in this tale of changing times and unvarying traditions. This is a tale of two families and a fresh era for the Minsters of Crown House, and the Royal Family of Windsor.

The series follow the birth of a royal baby and the growing closeness of William Minster and his wife Alice to the King and Queen. The life of Crown House's staff, as Jenny Webster, the housekeeper's daughter, watches the developments of the beloved Minsters and the saga unfolds between rich and poor, upper-class and lower-, old and young. Both above and below stairs find their lives changed by the passing years, as they are hit by scandal and heartbreak, accidents and loss, love and secrets.

Crown House is a moving story of change and upheaval, with an all-star cast including Jane Asher (Brideshead Revisited, Holby City), Martin Jarvis (Just William, Ring for Jeeves), Dinah Sheridan (The Railway Children, Genevieve), Gayle Hunnicutt (A Woman of Substance, Dallas), Richard Pasco (Mrs Brown, A Dance to the Music of Time), Geoffrey Matthews (Coronation Street, The Day of the Triffids) and many more. Written by Juliet Ace (The Archers, Young Victoria) and Peter Ling (The Avengers, Doctor Who)

From Peter Ling's Crown House novels, this drama series shines a light on a very different side of the Windsors, and is just the thing for listeners of Cromwell Vs The Crown, Flying the Flag, and Encounters with Victoria.

Cast and credits

Jenny - Jane Asher
Old Bea - Margaret Rawlings
Gina - Gayle Hunnicutt
Alice - Dinah Sheridan
Richard - Martin Jarvis
William - Richard Pasco
Nicholas - Dominic Rickhards
Lady Flora Kelso - Margaret Ward
Sir Charles - Geoffrey Matthews
Caroline - Cara Kelly
Edith - Barbara Atkinson
Polly Harvey - Polly James
Paul Weyman - John Pullen
Mrs Webster - Eva Stuart
Nursemaid - Diana Olsson
Hawkins - John Samson
Grace Duncan - Barbara Hunt
Scott Hanson - Ian Michie
Grace Duncan - Barbara Leigh-Hunt
Miranda - Andrea Kealy
Martin - Henry Power
Rollo Paton - Norman Bird
Thelma, Lady Furness - Shelley Thompson
Louie - Simon Cuff
Instructor - Philip Sully
Cockney Girl - Alice Arnold
Tram conductor - Richard Tate
Charles Lindbergh - Ed Bishop
Telephone operator - Caroline Gruber
Landlady - Zelah Clarke
Barman - Peter Craze
W T Carpenter - David Goudge
Seaman - William Simons
Radio announcer / Stoker - Michael Tudor Barnes

Written by Peter Ling and Juliet Ace
Produced by Graham Gauld

Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4:
30 October - 18 December 1988