Audible, a leading provider of spoken-word entertainment, launches Raj! a new seven-part satirical sitcom created by comedian and playwright Meera Syal (Yesterday, Goodness Gracious Me, Anita and Me), written by Mark Evans (The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, That Mitchell and Webb Look) and produced by BBC Studios that pushes the genre into new territories at an unexpected time period.   

Set in 19^th Century India, the series explores the amusing clash of cultures and personalities under the rule of the British Crown – with comical scenes involving cheating at cricket, using gold for paying taxes and betraying a local Maharajah to a warlord – all brought to life by an incredible cast, featuring Meera Syal herself and acclaimed comic actor Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders, Shrek 2).

When the useless Henry, played by Jonny Sweet (Johnny English Strikes Again, Chickens) and his formidable mother, the Dowager Duchess of Scathing tongue (Jennifer Saunders), arrive in a remote province of India, Henry is excited to be the new Governor, despite having no real idea of how to do so – unless you count talking English very loudly and slowly to the locals. The Maharajah, played by Amit Shah (The Hundred-Foot Journey, Final Score) and his mother the Rajmata (Meera Syal) have plans in store for this unwelcome British presence, which will ultimately turn the lives of all involved upside down.

Raj! joins a host of original comedy podcasts released by Audible in recent months. Other highlights include Women Unlocked which reunites some famous, brilliant, funny women, including Sandi Toksvig, London Hughes and Sara Pascoe, for a remote catch-up, where they mull over the highs and lows of the past year and French & Saunders: Titting About which sees the iconic comedy pair quite literally ‘tit about’ with six topics, from useful tips on airport shopping to naming their top-three vegetables.

Raj! is available to download from May 25^th, free for Audible members, or free to download with Audible’s 30-day trial: www.audible.co.uk

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For more information, please contact Emily Burke or Rob Jones at PrettyGreen

Emily.burke@itsprettygreen.com / Robert.jones@itsprettygreen.com

Notes to Editors:

Episode Descriptions:

Episode 1: A Message to India

Naïve enthusiast Henry Snebworth arrives in India with his imposing mother Lady Scathingtongue to be the new governor. His first task is to meet the local Maharajah. His second is to betray the Maharajah to a neighbouring warlord.

Episode 2: All That Glitters

Henry must collect taxes for the province or be sent home in disgrace, and the Rajmata has discovered a new gold mine up in the hills. Could the gold be used to pay the British taxes? Not if she has anything to do with it.

Episode 3: A Bridge Not Far Enough

The General swears he will never reveal the secret of Henry’s paternity, but subtlety is not his strong suit. Henry has promised Sunil an evening with Janya but in her absence will he settle for McRuff in a dress?

Episode 4: Prisoners!

Sunil is furious with Henry, which is awkward as they’ve been imprisoned in a cave together by Imran Afridi. Luckily their mothers have come to rescue them, but unluckily they too have been captured and put in the cave next door.

Episode 5: My Kingdom for a Leg

The General has been wounded and will die without a doctor. The nearest one is in a village high in the mountains, but it’s a village with a secret, and one that could put Sunil and Henry in even greater danger.

Episode 6: War Minus the Shooting

Afridi’s army is at the gates of the town. Can a brutal battle be avoided? The Rajmata uses her cunning to convince Afridi that there may be a more peaceful way to end the conflict. A cricket match!

Episode 7: The Breezes of War

After Henry cheats at cricket war is inevitable. Sunil takes charge of his army, while Henry ponders his own plans for the battle. Should he stand and fight, or take the contents of the safe and run?

About Audible 

Among the acclaimed performers who have narrated works of literature for Audible are Zachary Quinto, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lily Collins, Emma Thompson and Jesse Eisenberg. Audible Studios has won a Grammy Award, for its production of Janis Ian’s memoir Society’s Child, and has also been recognised with the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year, for Colin Firth’s performance of Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair. Audible invented and commercialised the first digital audio player in 1997 and has since been at the forefront of the explosively growing audiobook download segment. On any given day, Audible listeners average about two hours of listening to Audible content. Audible members download nearly 4 Billion hours of content annually.

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios Production makes a range of much-loved programmes in Scripted, Entertainment & Music, Factual and Factual Entertainment.  The BBC Studios Audio team make a wealth of audio content ranging from BBC Radio 4 classics such as The News Quiz and Just a Minute to podcasts including Spotify’s Sorted with the Dyers and Rose and Rosie: Parental Guidance and The Sink, Eddie Hearn: No Passion No Point and Inside Inside No. 9 for BBC Sounds.