Murder On Mars

A SCI-FI WHODUNNIT coming to BBC Radio 4!

Do you like murder mysteries? Do you like science fiction thrillers? Would you like a murder mystery science fiction thriller?

(If your answer is no, we cannot be friends.)

I’m super-duper excited to talk about MURDER ON MARS, a sci-fi whodunnit I’ve written for BBC Radio 4! The very first people are living in a Martian colony… but at least one of them won’t be living for much longer, yikes.

I’ve talked about my love of murder mysteries before, but this is my first ‘stab’ (chortle) at an original murder mystery for radio. And that feels very special, especially as someone who inhales a PAUL TEMPLE serial at least once a year - usually around Christmas, I don’t know why, they feel quite festive to me…

This show has a gorgeous ensemble cast, headed by Nisha Nayar and Luke Newberry as our oddball detectives, Rita Siddiqui and Jaz Hickson. And there are five thrilling half-hour episodes - so you can expect lots of twists and turns and yes, some juicy cliffhangers! Spacesuits and magnifying glasses at the ready.

The recording was joyous. It was extremely different from the other processes I’ve experienced before - this was old-school, with actors choreographed in the space, and Foley artists (no relation) working wonders with all kinds of props and gizmos. The studio was kitted out with all sorts of rooms and textures and gadgets, and the gang did an amazing job at transporting us off-world. I think you’re really going to enjoy the soundscape they created.

Episode 01 kicks off on 14th November, on BBC Radio 4, BBC Sounds and various podcast feeds. This is my first ever broadcast credit! So that’s COOL. I hope you enjoy getting drawn into the murky politics of the first Martian colony, and if you like to try and solve these crimes yourself… wellllll, I hope there are a couple of false clues that throw you off the scent. Red herrings for the red planet , delicious.