The Wandsworth Way
A brand-new radio drama series, produced by Theatre503 and Riverside Radio. Imagine The Archers, but set in South West London.
The Wandsworth Way is bringing the borough’s stories to life throughout our London Borough of Culture year with a 40-part weekly drama produced by award winning local broadcaster Riverside Radio, in collaboration with the home of new writing in Wandsworth, Theatre503.
The series promises to be an entertaining, heartfelt and down to earth drama packed with unforgettable characters, sharp writing, and real community spirit. The Wandsworth Way project is a unique chance for local people to get involved in storytelling and performance. The storyline is being crafted by multi-award-winning South London writer James Fritz in collaboration with 30 local emerging writers.
At the heart of the story is Tash Defoe, a world-famous author returning to Wandsworth after years away, played by Nadine Wild-Palmer, and Mike Hardy, a fiercely proud local cabbie, played by Russell Barnett. When their worlds collide in unexpected ways, they find themselves travelling across the borough, both literally and emotionally, as they rediscover what “home” really means. The rest of the story's characters are being brought to life by a community cast of local performers.
The Wandsworth Way is forming part of a wider training programme for residents in the borough, offering hands-on experience in writing, acting and radio production. By featuring local writing and acting talent, the project will authentically represent the borough's diverse voices, celebrating Wandsworth’s role as London Borough of Culture 2025. The show is exploring themes of connection, unity, healing, nourishment, and sustainability, with actors and writers gaining valuable experience through monthly recording sessions. The project aims to create a truly inclusive, community centred production that reflects the heart of Wandsworth.
The directing is in the safe hands of Lead Director Pam Fraser-Solomon, who has previously directed more than a hundred hours of audio drama, and has produced for TV several episodes of the soap operas EastEnders and Holby City.
Each episode of The Wandsworth Way is being carefully pulled together by Sound Designer Farokh Soltani, who is intertwining the sounds of the borough as the backdrop for the series. The catchy beats of a theme tune created by Joey Cook introduces each episode.
The first episode aired on Sunday 29th June at 5pm on Riverside Radio, with new episodes every Sunday until April 2026. You can listen online at riversideradio.com, on DAB Digital Radio, via your smart speaker ("Play Riverside Radio"), the Riverside Radio app, and wherever you get your podcasts.
For more information and to listen in visit thewandsworthway.com.
