The End of the Line

After her recent break-up, Sally has had a difficult Christmas.  The last thing she needs is stranger danger in the form of Christmas past, present, and future.    Carol was played by Isaura Barbé-Brown. Holly was played by Laura Bay. Mary was played by Polly Kemp. The train manager was played by Kwame Darko. Sally was played by Zara Day. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

On the red carpet, in front of the world's press, Carly is asked an extremely intrusive question before seeking sanctuary in a toilet cubicle. Carly was played by Evan Walker. The episode was written by Helen Cattle and directed by Mark Heywood.

Helena tries to give some advice to a younger acupuncturist and ends up reflecting on her own decision about motherhood and all the patients she's helped to get pregnant. Helena was played by Olu Adaeze. The episode was written by Anna Bernard and directed by Mark Heywood.

As she waits for the results of her disciplinary hearing, police officer Roz reflects on how the decision will influence her ability to be a mother. Roz was played by Sarah Sharman. The episode was written by Dee Chilton and directed by Mark Heywood.

Ellie riffs on free school meals for hungry kids at a spoken word performance night. As she does she argues that whether you have kids or not, none of them should go hungry. Ellie was played by Lauryn Redding. The episode was written by Aoife Smyth and directed by Mark Heywood.

After an encounter with yet another internet troll, Juliana reflects on the reality of being a young white Afrikaner. Juliana was played by Saria Steyl. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Reading the news, Amy recalls the horror of having to wait three weeks until she was old enough to have an abortion, and how she has kept this secret from everyone. Amy was played by Georgia Nicholson. The episode was written by Helen Cattle and directed by Mark Heywood.

Year 2 teacher Rosie reflects on being asked what's wrong with her because she doesn't have kids. By a Year 2 student. Rosie was played by Emma Zadow. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Nervous since her usually spontaneous friend pre-arranged a night out, Kelly suspects that her friend's good news will be the end of their relationship. Kelly was played by Liv Austen.  The episode was written by Helen Cattle and directed by Mark Heywood.

Simone stares at the bathroom ceiling after falling. As she waits for her husband to come home and help her, she passes the time by telling a spider on the ceiling about how hard it would be for her to be a mum. Simone was played by Selina Kaur. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Essex girl Chelsea breaks her own rule and goes back with a guy after a first date. As they get high, he quizzes her about her plans for the future. Chelsea was played by Alexandra Donnachie.  The episode was written by Michelle Payne and directed by Mark Heywood.

Mia summons up the strength to tell her doctor that she's had enough. She wants action. Fed up with PCOS she wants a full hysterectomy. Mia was played by Elinor Machen-Fortune. The episode was written by Hannah Wales and directed by Mark Heywood.

Martha reflects on how differently her friends treated her when she became a step mum. Martha was played by Amy Harris.  The episode was written by Emma Pitt and directed by Rachael Walsh.

As she cares for her sick mother, Shivani reflects on her own life choices and what it is like to be the daughter of a reluctant parent. Shivani was played by Ruchika Jain.  The episode was written by Kim Fleet and directed by Mark Heywood.

We are back for a third series.  Over the next few months, we'll bring you brand-new writing, incredible performances, and 13 wonderful characters. Here is a peak at what to expect.

Bethany finds her diary from years ago and reminisces about a pros and cons list she wrote to help her decide if she wants to have kids. Bethany was played by Lorraine Horgan.  The episode was written by Claire McGowan and directed by Mark Heywood.

After yet another question about having kids, Danielle ponders how people would react if she told them what she really thought. Danielle was played by Kate Winter. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Live on-air social media influencer Kayden struggles to keep a lid on her emotions as she reads out messages of hate she received.  Kayden was played by Jill Jordan. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

At the pinnacle of her long and successful military career, Jenny, a senior Naval Officer, reflects upon the effects that cultural expectations of women, in and out of uniform, have had on her. Jenny was played by Helen Belbin. The episode was written by Dee Chilton and directed by Mark Heywood.

Lynn's imagination runs wild as her friend drones on about being pregnant. Lynn was played by Angela Dixon. The episode was written by Kim Fleet and directed by Mark Heywood.

Naomi digs deep to speak the dark thoughts she's lived with her whole life. Naomi was played by Jennifer Martin. The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Unsure of whether her mum can hear her, Lina gives an update on how her film was received by family and friends in Palestine, and why she rejects an outdated view on duty. Lina was played by Sarah Agha.    The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood. 

Celeste bursts with pride as she watches Erika head off to her prom. Celeste was played by Kim Tatum.    The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood. 

As she waits for her grandmother's flight to arrive, Chinara reflects on what the next three months have in store.   Chinara was played by Honey Gabriel.   The episode was written and directed by Mark Heywood.     

After an encounter with a stranger, Maxine reflects on why same-sex couples with a child have to be asked which of them is the "real" mother.   Maxine was played by Hannah Genesius.   The episode was written by Emily Morgan and directed by Mark Heywood. 

As Siân prepares for her late husband's funeral, she looks back at their life together. She recalls their first meeting, their joint decision not to have children, and how all they ever wanted was each other.  She also has some choice words for anybody tempted to ask if she now regrets that choice as she faces a future on her own. Siân was played by Dame Harriet Walter.   The episode was written by Helen Cattle and directed by Mark Heywood. 

During her regular radio show, DJ Sarah answers questions from her listeners concerning a video she made about women who freeze their "lady eggs".   As her listeners report it is clear that it's not all plain sailing. She launches an impassioned plea for the world to "stop making money from our bits."   Sarah Story played herself.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood. 

Ahead of the launch of series two, we delve into the archives and dust off an interview with the show's creator, Mark Heywood, and Romy Park who plays MONA in episode 8.  It's a fascinating insight into the inspiration for the show.

Midway through an arranged date, Claire freaks out in the bathroom as she releases that for the first time in her life she can make her own decisions - the problem is, she doesn't know what she wants.  Claire - played by Siobhan Athwal.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.   

As she reflects on her sister's imminent wedding, Dawn slips into a stream of consciousness as she debates who to take as her plus one.     Dawn - played by April Kelley.  Written by Tom Taplin.  Directed by Mark Heywood. 

Stacey pays her mum a birthday visit and reflects on the prediction a school teacher made over a decade ago.  She hopes her mum would have been proud of her, even had the prediction come true.   Stacey - played by Aoife Smyth. Written by Aoife Smyth and Mark Heywood.  Directed by Mark Heywood    

Lauren reflects on the wedding conversation that changed her life, and how she never dated anyone that made her feel that she wanted to be a mom.  So instead, she's in love with being Lauren.   Lauren - played by Nicole Schaeffer. Story by Nicole Schaeffer and Mark Heywood.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Mona asks why people question her ability to teach children when she doesn't have kids of her own, and why she is determined to be honest with her students, especially when they live in a world that hands out medals just for showing up.   Mona - played by Romy Park. Story by Romy Park and Mark Heywood.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

As Svetlana waits for the regular weekly call from her mother, she ponders why her mum is always trying to set her up with a boy from back home, and whether the kindest thing she can do for the child she doesn't have is to not bring her into the world.   Svetlana - played by Lilia Nova. Story by Lilia Nova and Mark Heywood.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

After receiving the news that a close friend is pregnant, Megan imagines the next ten years of her life and the inevitable questions she will be asked about when she too will have a child.  A child she is adamant that she doesn't want.   Megan - played by Victoria Emslie. Story by Victoria Emslie and Mark Heywood.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

After several months off after a traumatic incident, Bryony has a difficult return to work at the restaurant during her first shift back.  She wonders why people think it is OK for strangers to ask her personal questions just because she is serving them their dinner.  We learn about her heartbreaking experience.   Bryony - played by Leah Gaffey. Written by Helen Cattle. Directed by Mark Heywood.

Mary looks back on her life and reflects on the two questions she gets asked most often.  She ponders the hypocrisy of language as it relates to gender, and asks why nobody ever asks a parent if they regret having children.  Completely at peace with her life choices, she is glad that she lives in her world, and no-one else's.   Mary - played by Polly Kemp. Story by Polly Kemp and Mark Heywood.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.  

Skylar confides in her journal after a disastrous evening during which her date left, mid-burger when she told him she didn't want kids. She considers setting up her own child-free members club as she reflects on how bad a date has to be for a guy to leave half his burger, and what the reaction would be a woman did something similar.   Skylar - played by Sivan Raphaely. Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Louise ponders the news that her sister's diagnosis reveals the same mental health issue that affected their mother.  Reeling from the news that it may also impact her too, Louise wonders what sort of mother that would make her if she did have kids of her own, especially if that means passing it on to them.  She also considers whether the kindest thing she could do would be to let her husband find happiness and children elsewhere.   Louise played by Clare-Hope Ashitey. Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

Sally has ended her relationship with her partner because he wants kids, and she isn't sure if she does – and either way she wants to be sure.  On her way home for Christmas, she reflects on what her family and friends will make of her decision.  As she does so, she recalls what he said about being an only child and that if he didn't have kids, it would be “THE END OF THE LINE” for his family name.   Sally - played by Zara Day. Story by Zara Day and Mark Heywood.  Written and directed by Mark Heywood.

The End of the Line is a major new audio drama featuring "powerful stories about how we treat women who don't have kids."  Based on true stories and real people.  The first six episodes will be available on every major podcast platform from Wednesday 29th July 2020.