EARWORM, a 45 minute radio drama written by Simon Passmore and directed by Sasha Yevtushenko. Click here to stream it live today (Wednesday 11th March 2015) at 2.15pm, or to catch it on iPlayer after broadcast.

The story:

Tasked with producing an item for a television show about Britain's worst film director, researcher Mia goes in search for the fabled horror film Earworm and its creator. Urban myths surround this little known video nasty, with rumours that cast and crew suffered unexplained accidents during production, its director went into hiding after destroying all known copies of the film, and that its soundtrack is capable of affecting the viewer in sinister ways. Spurred on rather deterred by the myths, Mia seeks out the film's secret, and in doing so, puts herself in danger.

What the critics say:

"The suspense is so skilfully layered that when a clip from the film’s soundtrack is played I was genuinely unsettled — it’s radio’s equivalent of The Ring!" - Jane Anderson, The Radio Times

Cast and crew:

Mia - Chloe Pirrie

Josh - Shaun Mason

James - Justin Salinger

Lena - Jane Slavin

Charlie - Ian Conningham

Craig - David Acton

Lois - Bettrys Jones

Bookseller - Paul Heath

Producer - Jude Akuwudike

Nurse - Roslyn Hill

Writer - Simon Passmore

Director - Sasha Yevtushenko

Don't miss this fast-paced thriller on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday 26th March at 2:30pm, starring Claire Foy, Blake Ritson and Charlie Cox; directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

This taut, character-driven conspiracy thriller, writhing with twists and heavy on menace, will be compelling Saturday afternoon entertainment.

David and Helen, a professional couple in their mid-twenties, are shocked when Jamie, an old friend from university, dies unexpectedly. At the funeral, they meet Mark, another mutual friend. Mark implies that he works for Special Services, and tells them that Jamie, a high-flying investment banker, may have killed himself - and that his bank has been under investigation. Did Jamie contact the couple before he died? As Mark teases out information, Helen begins to suspect he is not entirely innocent. Mark's questions turn into threats, and people start getting hurt. David and Helen find they must expose a murder before it's too late.

The lead roles are played by three top young British actors; Claire Foy (THE PROMISE, LITTLE DORRIT), Charlie Cox (STARDUST, DOWNTON ABBEY) and Blake Ritson (UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS, ROMANTICS and the lead in Radio 4's four-week serial THE FAR PAVILIONS, Feb 2011).

Simon Passmore has had a string of recent successes on radio with ACCOMPLICES, OFFSHORE and GOING TO GROUND.