John Wyndham: A BBC Radio Drama Collection

Mar 4, 2026 5:22 AM

Author:John Wyndham,Bill Nighy,Barbara Shelley,Peter Sallis,Full Cast

Bill Nighy, Sarah Parish, Barbara Shelley and Peter Sallis are among the cast in these six classic BBC Radio dramatisations.

John Wyndham’s quietly menacing post-apocalyptic tales are enduringly popular, and these gripping, atmospheric radio adaptations of his classic fiction are resonant with terror and suspense. In

The Day of the Triffids, first broadcast in 1968, most people have been left blind after a meteor shower, and lethal carnivorous triffids are roaming the land.

The Kraken Wakes, dramatised for radio in 1998, is a thrilling story of monsters from the deep, alien invasion and ecological disaster.

The Chrysalids, first broadcast in 1981, explores the dangers of being different, while the 1989 adaptation of short story Survival focuses on the lengths people will go to in order to survive.

The Midwich Cuckoos, broadcast in 2003, is a disturbing tale of a village sealed off from the world for a day, and subsequently taken over by terrifying, inhuman children.

Dramatised for radio in 1998, Chocky is a chilling tale of a boy who appears to be communicating with an invisible friend.

Also included is Beware the Stare! a half-hour BBC Radio 4 documentary looking at The Midwich Cuckoos in print and on screen.

Note: These are the BBC Transcription Services versions of The Day of the Triffids, prepared for

sale to overseas territories. At the time, 12 minutes of material was deleted from these episodes to bring down the running time. However, these deleted scenes have been recovered and are included as bonus extra content at the end of the final episode of The Day of the Triffids.

Reviews

BBC Audio's team gives these releases a hallmark of quality

—— Doctor Who Magazine

The narration is a delight, swerving from space jokes and naivety to childlike wisdom

—— Financial Times

I haven't read anything that has moved me this much since Wonder . . . The very best books are rare and powerful magic, as if they were conjured by the stars. See You in the Cosmos is one of these. Hero Alex Petroski is eleven years old, in search of himself and the universe. His extraordinary journey is relatable and timeless, and I wanted to stay forever in this funny, wise, beautiful world.

—— Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe

I am a sucker for road trip novels and this is one of the best and sweetest I've read in ages. Alex is an unforgettably lovely narrator, and his story is out of this world.

—— Robin Stevens, author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series

Falling in love with a new book: the very beautiful See You in the Cosmos . . . this is something special

—— Emily Drabble, BookTrust

Moving and hopeful . . . an unmissable adventure. One to watch.

—— The Bookseller

A touching debut, with a clever narrative device and a deeply affecting hero

—— Daily Mail

4.5 STARS

—— Sun

Cheng has captured a view of the cosmos through a child's eyes, and that is the book's real pleasure'

—— Daily Telegraph

I love this book - the characters , the story, but most of all, the voice . . . It's a story a story that changes the way you see the world

—— Holly Goldberg Sloan, New York Times bestselling author of Counting By 7’s

Alex Petroski has a big mind, big dreams, and a big heart. His story is full of the real kind of magic - friends well-met, surprising journeys, and heartbreak and hope. This is a beautiful book

—— Ally Condie, New York Times bestselling author of Matched

It's not always that we read a novel that so powerfully affirms our human capacity for grace and love and understanding

—— Gary D Schmidt, author of National Award finalist Okay for Now

Poignant and funny . . . propulsive . . . Alex's strong voice drives this compelling personal journey with resonant themes of family, friendship and resilience

—— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Featured in 'Best Books for Children's and Teens 2017

—— Independent Online

This is an original and highly compelling read; heart-breaking on occasions, but ultimately uplifting

—— Teach Secondary

A heart-warming story about a space-obsessed boy's quest for answers

—— Angels & Urchins

A poignant debut

—— Event Magazine

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