New Radio 4 show and BBC Sounds podcast

Ranting news reporter Jonathan Pie is to make his first radio series, to be initially released as a BBC podcast.

The broadcaster has ordered a ten-part series from the ever-angry alter-ego of actor Tom Walker, which will be released  on BBC Sounds before airing on Radio 4.

Call Jonathan Pie  is based around him hosting a late-night phone-in show, while listeners will also hear Pie’s frequent clashes with his production team, as well as BBC senior management, behind the scenes.

The BBC also say that for the first time, listeners will get insight into

Pie’s personal life as he battles with his ex-wife and his agent

Julia McKenzie, comedy and entertainment commissioner for BBC Radio 4, said: ‘I’ve long been a fan of Tom’s acerbic creation Jonathan Pie, and I’m excited to bring his distinctive satirical flavour to BBC Radio 4.

‘Tom’s writing is crisp, sharp and deliciously coruscating of anyone and everyone, and the characters around him are equally canny. You’ll find yourself asking: did he really say that?’

Walker added: ‘It’s really exciting to see Pie interact with such an array of other characters for the first time, in his new podcast for the BBC.  It brings him to life in a way that fans will not have seen before.

‘For others, this part sitcom, part spoof phone-in show, will be a perfect introduction into Pie’s world.’

The ten-part boxset will drop on Friday June 9 on BBC Sounds, with a Radio 4 broadcast at a date to be announced this summer.

The BBC blurb says: ‘More used to interviewing vapid politicians with their prepared lines, Pie will find he’s a fish out of water in his attempts to deal with the general public and their "barely sentient" opinions - which they’re all too willing to Share with him. Pie takes no prisoners, skewering callers from all sides of the political spectrum. 

‘This sitcom, Pie’s first radio series, offers an opportunity for him to direct his anger towards everything from "women’s issues" to cancel culture, the NHS, identity politics and the BBC itself.’

The cast also includes Lucy Pearman, Aqib Khan, Nick Revell  and Dan Abelson  – and as the callers Bryony Corrigan, Emma Thornett, Dan Abelson, Adam Byron, Ellie Dobing 

Written by: Tom Walker 
Produced by: Alison Vernon-Smith of Yada Yada Productions
Commissioned by: Julia McKenzie, comedy and entertainment commissioner, BBC Radio 4 
Production coordinator: Ellie Dobing
Sound engineer: Julian Mayers

Published: 17 May 2023