Charles Paris: A Second BBC Radio Collection

Bill Nighy’s performance as Charles Paris is a masterclass in deadpan charm, balancing the character’s self-destructive tendencies with moments of quiet vulnerability. The radio format lends the stories a raw, intimate feel, with Nighy’s delivery making even the most mundane scenes feel alive. Front’s writing is sharp and witty, with a knack for creating memorable side characters—like the perpetually exasperated Frances (Suzanne Burden) and the eccentric supporting cast. The pacing is brisk, with each episode resolving in a satisfying, if slightly messy, way. The only critique? Some of the plots feel a little too reliant on coincidence, but that’s part of the charm. If you love a protagonist who’s as much a victim of circumstance as he is a perpetrator, this is a delightful listen.