91Èȱ¬

The long-running drama series from GF Newman returns with its second series, based on the characters from the multi-award winning writer's best-selling crime novel The Corrupted.

Spanning six decades, it plots the course of one family against the back-drop of a revolution in crime as the underworld extends its influence to the very heart of the establishment, in an uncomfortable relationship of shared values.

At the start of the 60s Joey Oldman, a Russian Jew, acquires crafty Arnold Goodman as his solicitor, and buys shares in the civil engineering firm owned by the corrupt Minister of Transport, Ernest Marples.

Prospering with the help of venal bankers, and growing more devious, he and his wife Cath join Macmillan's Tory Party. They strive without success to keep their son Brian free of the influence of Jack Braden (Cath’s nephew) as he takes their 'firm' from running illicit clubs, where they entertain politicians and judges, to armed robbery. All the while Jack and Brian struggle to keep free of the police, and further entanglements with both the law, the Kray twins and the Richardsons.

This is aided by various corrupt policemen, until one very corrupt policeman, Tony Wednesday, and one achingly straight policeman, John Redvers, Brian's cousin, arrive on the scene.

Recognising just how dangerous Tony Wednesday is, Joey Oldman forms a pact with him to save Brian and at the same time dispose of the dangerously irrational Jack following the demise of both the Kray and the Richardson gangs.

Things don't all go to plan when Joey finds himself embroiled in corruption so deep that even his lawyer struggles to help them all survive. To make matters worse - the sinister and powerful husband of a Tory activist, with whom Joey is having an affair, seeks an exacting revenge.

Written by GF Newman

Produced and Directed by Clive Brill

A Brill Production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4

And starring Toby Jones as Joey Oldman and Ross Kemp as the narrator.