Main content

Redacted by Hugh Costello

4 Extra Debut. A civil servant dedicated to open government finds his wife's name on an incriminating document. Stars Nicholas Murchie.

Twice a year, thousands of confidential state files are released to the press and public - files that detail the workings of the British government of 30 years ago.

If you want to know how Margaret Thatcher reacted to Islamic terror in Lebanon or how the Cabinet responded to the AIDS crisis then these are the documents you're waiting for.

But some of those files will be disfigured by a black marker pen - they'll be Redacted. Secrets too sensitive, even thirty years on, will remain in the shadows.

Jonathan is a 'sensitivity reviewer', the senior civil servant with the marker pen. It's normally a pretty dreary job, but just occasionally a long-forgotten document sparks his interest.

When Jonathan spots his wife's name at the bottom of an urgent memo to the Prime Minister, it lands him with the toughest moral dilemma of his life.

Starring Greta Scacchi and Nicholas Murchie.

Written by Hugh Costello.

Monica ...... Greta Scacchi
Jonathan ...... Nicholas Murchie
Fiona ...... Lauren O'Neil
Shofi ...... Ashley Kumar
Kitty ...... Alice Kerrigan
Justin ...... John Dougall
Derek ...... Christian Patterson
Lucas ...... David Reakes

Director: Alasdair Cross

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in August 2017.

Available now

44 minutes

Last on

Tue 13 Jan 2026 01:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Monica Greta Scacchi
Jonathan Nicholas Murchie
Fiona Lauren O'Neil
Shofi Ashley Kumar
Kitty Alice Kerrigan
Justin John Dougall
Derek Christian Patterson
Lucas David Reakes
Writer Hugh Costello
Director Alasdair Cross

Broadcasts

  • Thu 10 Aug 2017 14:15
  • Thu 19 Nov 2020 14:15
  • Mon 12 Jan 2026 06:00
  • Mon 12 Jan 2026 11:00
  • Mon 12 Jan 2026 17:00
  • Tue 13 Jan 2026 01:00

Opening Lines

Opening Lines

John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.

The Shakespeare Sessions

The Shakespeare Sessions

Immerse yourself in Shakespeare鈥檚 world