Serial Thrillers: The Adventure Serial on British Radio pb

‘The BBC seems bent on turning the children into a new kind of drug addict for … serial thrillers …’ (The Times – 17 December 1946)

Following the end of the Second World War, a new form of radio entertainment would explode across Britain – the adventure serial. Whether solving murders, foiling conspiracies or journeying into space, the heroes of these radio serials would be the idols of an entire generation of post-war radio listeners. Dick Barton, Paul Temple, Dan Dare and Jet Morgan were once among the most famous names in British fiction. However, today they are almost forgotten.

With detailed episode guides and behind-the-scenes stories, it is now once again possible to relive the excitement of one of radio’s most addictive formats and enjoy again the exploits of its most daring adventurers.

With a special introduction by Nicholas Parsons

‘I recommend it to anyone who is interested in these heroes of radio.’ Steve Winders, Bear Alley

‘If you were a British radio fan in the late 40’s through to the mid 50’s (as I was) this is the book for you. It brings back memories of the Paul Temple, Dick Barton, Dan Dare and Journey Into Space radio serials. it describes behind the scenes background information as well as storylines and production details. A throroughly enjoyable read for British Old Time Radio fans.’ Cliff Lamb, Amazon

301pp. 6×9-format paperback.
ISBN 978-1-84583-248-3
Published 27 June 2025

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charles Norton was born in Leicester and since 2008, has mostly worked as a writer, director and producer for the BBC. Between 2016 and 2020, he produced and directed a number of Doctor Who animated dramas for BBC Studios and BBC America, including ‘The Macra Terror’, for which he won a Royal Television Society Award. In 2023 he directed and produced the five-part series, Dad’s Army – The Missing Episodes for BBC Studios and UKTV. He has also produced numerous DVD and Blu Ray projects for BBC Studios, (Quatermass and the Pit, The Morecambe and Wise Show, The Likely Lads etc.) and has worked on a number of documentaries for the BBC’s Inside Out series, as well as BBC Two and BBC Four.

Charles Norton was also a producer on a variety of titles for BBC Audiobooks between 2008 and 2015, including Dick Barton – Special Agent, Paul Temple, Sexton Blake and Hancock’s Half Hour. Serial Thrillers is one of two books written by him, currently available from Telos Publishing. The other is Now on the Big Screen (2013). He has also written for The Guardian, The Times, BBC History Magazine, SFX Magazine, History Today, TV Zone, Starburst and Doctor Who Magazine.

His first novel 1913 is due to be published by Northodox Press in 2026.