The End of the Line

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 b...

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.  Wr...

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 Mar...

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...

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...

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.