The Architects: The complete series 1 and 2

Arch-Brutalist Sir Lucien founded his architectural practice on a commitment to brutalist concrete in all its forms. But fashion has been a cruel mistress, and four decades later things are not going well for Sir Lucien and his loyal(ish) employees. With no money and no commissions, times are tough – but it’s onwards and upwards (and upwards again) for the staff, as they go all out to win new contracts, deal with nightmare clients and fight to get their ambitious projects past the planners.

In the pilot episode, architects Sarah (Laura Solon) and Dan (Ben Willbond) contemplate escape from a malfunctioning multi-storey car park in Esher and the pure aesthetic of the open sandwich.

Series 1 finds Sir Lucien (Geoffrey Whitehead) trying to overcome his creative block by visiting a spa in Baden Baden – accompanied by reluctant colleague Tim (Alex Carter). Back at the practice, the other partners are juggling ambition, principles and scary Americans – and dreaming of taking minimalism to the max.

In Series 2, Sir Lucien and Partners chase a lucrative airport contract, head to Watford to restyle a Premier League footballer’s mansion, design a building with a great big turret (possibly) and decide to go into house building – negotiating marshland, unexploded bombs and homicidal relatives en route...

Written by Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths, this caustic, satirical comedy also stars Dominic Coleman, Ingrid Oliver, Anna Crilly and Aisling Bea.

Written by Jim Poyser and Neil Griffiths

Directed by Toby Swift

Pilot

Sarah – Laura Solon

Dan – Ben Willbond

Sir Lucien – Geoffrey Whitehead

Rasmus – Ewan Bailey

Tim – Tim Downie

Mayoress – Joanna Brookes

Car Park Attendant – Ben Crowe

Series 1 and 2

Matt – Dominic Coleman

Sarah – Ingrid Oliver/Anna Crilly

Sir Lucien – Geoffrey Whitehead

Tim – Alex Carter

Hayley – Aisling Bea

Gregory Nettles/Mr Douglas – Sean Murray

Mr Russell/Gentle Energy MD – Steve Toussaint

Nurse/Amanda/Helene/Planning Officer – Carolyn Pickles

Lotte – Georgie Fuller

Snadaker/Dave – Stephen Critchlow

Mr McCoy – Harry Myers

Justin – Ben Crowe

Dawn – Susie Riddell

Murray – Peter Forbes

Noel – David Hounslow

Ella – Rhiannon Neads

Danny – Richie Campbell

Sean – Jude Akuwudike

John/Darvo/Council Receptionist – Ian Conningham

Computer Caddie/Tony – Sam Dale

Jemima – Hannah Genesius

Bob – David Acton

Jane/Lucy – Jane Slavin

First broadcast BBC Radio 4: 27 March 2013, (Pilot), 14 March-4 April 2014 (Series 1), 2-23 February 2015 (Series 2)