Author:Lucy Catherine,Full Cast,Aimee Ffion Edwards,Darragh Mortell
Beyond the forests, beyond the valleys, beyond the mountains... there's another world.
From the Red Book of Hergest, these are the tales of the Mabinogi. Tales of of romance, tragedy, comedy and fantasy, of a mythical pre-Saxon era of Medieval Wales: a land of magic, of dragons, fairies and giants.
Pryderi, Prince of Dyfed, heads to Harlech in North Wales to impress King Bran the Blessed of Gwynedd and win the hand of Princess Branwen. But what starts out as a straightforward journey with his companion, Brigid, quickly becomes upturned by strange magic and the threat of war with the Irish. Can they survive? And what mysteries yearn to be unravelled in the Otherworld?
The world we see, the world of the mountains and the valleys, the villages and the farms, is nothing more than a veneer. Our world is no more than a painted shroud, masking what lies beneath. For most of the living, the barrier between the worlds is impossible to breach. For very few, it is as easy to pierce as the still black waters of a mountain lake. Step into the Otherworld.
Starring Darragh Mortell (The Bill) and Aimee Ffion Edwards (Peaky Blinders, The Detectorists).
Award-winning writer Lucy Catherine (The Master and Margherita, Being Human, Vanity Fair) gives these stories a modern flavour while remaining true to the vivid magic of Celtic mythology.
Cast and credits:
Brigid - Aimee Ffion Edwards
Pryderi - Darragh Mortell
Arawn - John Cording
Roisin - Fiona O'Shaughnessy
Bran the Blessed/Pwyll - Robert Pugh
Manawydan/Dewi - Matthew Gravelle
Branwen - Rhian Blythe
Matholwch - Stephen Hogan
Efnysien - Richard Elfyn
Nysien - Rhodri Meilir
Pwca/Wyn - Sion Pritchard
Deryn - Saran Morgan
Mam/Rhiannon - Eiry Thomas
Adapted by Lucy Catherine.
Sound design by Nigel Lewis.
Directed by James Robinson and John Norton.
A BBC Wales and BBC Radio 3 Commission.
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
(p) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
Utterly gorgeous. A proper good pick-me-up of a book
—— Ruth JonesAnother totally original, thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying book from Clare Pooley. Full of original characters and wisdom, I absolutely loved it
—— Katie FfordeA glorious triumph of a novel; warm, funny and moving, with an unforgettable cast of characters
—— Rosie WalshInsightful, funny and full of warmth and relatable characters. A brilliant read
—— Sarah MorganA gloriously entertaining and completely addictive read. The People on Platform 5 will be sure to steal your heart. Clare Pooley's writing is astute, wickedly funny, clever and charming. I adore this book
—— Hazel PriorThis book tackles so many interesting themes, all with Clare's trademark humour, wonderful writing, and vibrant, loveable characters - Feel-good fiction at its best. It almost made me miss the commute
—— Sophie Cousens, author of This Time Next YearA joyous and uplifting story about unexpected friendships, and the chance connections that can change our lives
—— Debbie JohnsonAn uplifting and heart-warming book that champions friendship and community
—— Libby PageI loved meeting the people on platform 5 - a delightful story about connection and friendship in a disconnected world
—— Marianne Cronin, author of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and MargotA 1st class journey. Just wonderful
—— Beth Morrey, author of Saving MissyA magnificent, heart-warming novel celebrating the power of human connection - it's an absolute joy
—— Freya Sampson, author of The Last LibraryUplifting, joyful & funny, yet also poignant, perceptive & clever
—— Tracy ReesThis utterly joyful novel takes you on an unforgettable journey with characters you wish you could meet in real life... I loved The People on Platform 5 even more than The Authenticity Project - it's glorious
—— Eva CarterThis book is bursting with the kindness of strangers, and I was bursting with hope by the end of it
—— Jenny BaylissClare Pooley is the queen of feel-good fiction. She takes relatable situations and characters and somehow makes them magical. The People of Platform 5 is funny, tender and true-to-life while also being thought-provoking. It was magnificent and a joy to read
—— Phaedra PatrickThe People on Platform 5 is nothing short of sheer and utter delight. It presents the best of humanity - the sweet and bashful kindness and generosity that lives in all of us. I can't think of a more joyful book!
—— Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A For AuntiesHeartwarming, funny, a delicious dive into the profound and ridiculous modern world in which we live. Clare Pooley reminds us why we need each other
—— Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling authorPooley delivers not only acerbic, enchanting Iona but a compelling, tangled cast of quirky, complicated characters so engaging, it's enough to make you miss crowded commuter trains
—— Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling authorThis feel-good ensemble story will bring joy to readers who loved Anxious People and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine-not to mention fans of quirky London-set fare such as Ted Lasso...a warm, fun pick-me-up of a book
—— Mary Laura PhilpottClare Pooley has found a delightful way to bring home the point that we need each other
—— Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling authorLeaving you with that fuzzy feeling you want from a feel-good book
—— Woman & HomeEntertaining and uplifting
—— Good HousekeepingFilled with delightful characters... this heart-warming book explores relationships and the dilemmas of everyday life
—— CandisTackling many relevant issues, it's a heart-warming read
—— HeatPoignant, totally joyful, this is a great read
—— FabulousA feel-good read, with great characters to care about, it takes current issues seriously but adds plenty of humour
—— Choice[It leaves] the reader with that fuzzy feeling you want from a feel-good book. Fans of her previous hit, The Authenticity Project, will not be disappointed
—— Woman's WeeklyA feel-good tale about the power of real-life connections
—— SunYou can always rely on Pooley to deliver not just wonderful, lively characters but a story that leaves you feeling uplifted and hopeful
—— CultureFly