W F Howes to release Townsend's 'iconic' Adrian Mole series with 'all-star' cast

W F Howes will publish new audio versions of Sue Townsend’s eight Adrian Mole books with an "all-star" cast of narrators with actors Matthew Horne, Joe Thomas, Kris Marshall and Isaac Rouse. 

The complete audiobook series will be released in autumn 2023 to mark the 40th anniversary year of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾. The "iconic" series follows Adrian on various misadventures and daily dramas alongside his "dysfunctional" family. W F Howes says new listeners can "look forward to modern, refreshed" audio editions of the book. 

Rouse, who recently featured in the Netflix series "Get Even", will narrate the first two instalments in the series with Thomas, known for his role as Simon Cooper in "The Inbetweeners", narrating the third and fourth titles. Adrian Gray will voice the fifth novel Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years with Horne, who played Gavin Shipman in "Gavin and Stacey" narrating the sixth title and Marshall, star of "My Family" and "Love Actually", voicing the final instalment. 

Laura Smith, acquisitions manager at W F Howes, commented: "Leicester-born Sue Townsend was one of the most influential writers of her generation. Her Adrian Mole books have captivated readers across the country ever since The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ first hit shelves and became an instant bestseller. Full of acerbic wit, political satire and cultural commentary, these books remain as relevant as ever."