EPISODE · Sep 23, 2022 · 33 MIN
One Five Seven Years: 3. Jacob
from Limelight · host BBC Radio 4
Imagine you could live for two lifetimes. Would you want to? How would it change you and those you love? What would you do with all those extra years? What second chances might you get? Would this be a blessing or a curse?This world is an alternative version of our own. Except in this world, a minority of people are discovered to have Extended Life Syndrome (ELS). The condition might give an "Elser" two decades in their thirties, two in their forties, double the time in their fifties, and so on. Little is understood of the biological factors that govern ELS except that it affects a random selection of people. It is the ultimate lottery of genetics, crossing class, race, culture and gender.And if a simple test existed to check your DNA for this double life, would you take it? Would you want to know?Now think again. Would you?Jacob has ELS and is serving life for a murder he committed when he was nineteen. But how many years are enough years for justice to be served?Written by Marietta KirkbrideCast: Jacob ….. Robert Emms Miles ….. Ben Crowe Mum …..Sirine Saba Psychiatrist ….. Asif Khan Lawyer ….. Jessica Murrain Inmate ….. Simon DarwenOther voices played by the castSound Design ….. Adam Woodhams and Steve Bond Theme Music ….. Ioana Selaru and Axel KacoutiéAcademic Consultants ….. Tamas David-Barrett & James Fasham Executive Producer ….. Sara DaviesSeries created by Marietta Kirkbride Directed and Produced by Nicolas JacksonAn Afonica production for BBC Radio 4
What this episode covers
Imagine you could live for two lifetimes. Would you want to? How would it change you and those you love? What would you do with all those extra years? What second chances might you get? Would this be a blessing or a curse?This world is an alternative version of our own. Except in this world, a minority of people are discovered to have Extended Life Syndrome (ELS). The condition might give an "Elser" two decades in their thirties, two in their forties, double the time in their fifties, and so on. Little is understood of the biological factors that govern ELS except that it affects a random selection of people. It is the ultimate lottery of genetics, crossing class, race, culture and gender.And if a simple test existed to check your DNA for this double life, would you take it? Would you want to know?Now think again. Would you?Jacob has ELS and is serving life for a murder he committed when he was nineteen. But how many years are enough years for justice to be served?Written by Marietta KirkbrideCast: Jacob ….. Robert Emms Miles ….. Ben Crowe Mum …..Sirine Saba Psychiatrist ….. Asif Khan Lawyer ….. Jessica Murrain Inmate ….. Simon DarwenOther voices played by the castSound Design ….. Adam Woodhams and Steve Bond Theme Music ….. Ioana Selaru and Axel KacoutiéAcademic Consultants ….. Tamas David-Barrett & James Fasham Executive Producer ….. Sara DaviesSeries created by Marietta Kirkbride Directed and Produced by Nicolas JacksonAn Afonica production for BBC Radio 4
NOW PLAYING
One Five Seven Years: 3. Jacob
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jul 17, 2026 ·18m
Jul 3, 2026 ·38m