Fresh from her role as a secret assassin in Prime Video's Ride Or Die, Hannah Waddingham is showing her amazing range in something completely different: a romance based on a book by Jilly Cooper.
First published in 1981 as part of short story collection Lisa & Co, this is the first time A Pressing Engagement has been recorded as an audiobook.
Set in London in 1978, it's the story of Hester – a secretary stuck in the monotony of administrative work, whilst her older boyfriend, Julian, refuses to commit. When Hester is offered a role assisting with an exciting film producer, she sees a chance for everything to change. But leaving means breaking her boss's heart – until she hatches a plan: fake an engagement. The catch? Her supposed fiancé, childhood friend Nico, has no idea.
The cast alongside Hannah Waddingham includes Rhea Norwood (Heartstopper), Corey Mylchreest (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story), Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), Vivian Oparah (Rye Lane) and Bessie Carter (Bridgerton).
Work on the production started before Dame Jilly’s passing in October 2025, with the bestselling author herself involved in early development. It's been adapted for audio by Dare Aiyegbayo, a scriptwriter on the Disney+ hit show Rivals.
"It is bittersweet to see this glorious adaptation of A Pressing Engagement launch after Jilly’s passing," said Felicity Blunt, Dame Jilly Cooper’s agent. "But she would have been orgasmic to know that more of her characters have been brought so perfectly to life. Jilly was a romance writer for the ages and this Audible production delivers all her hallmark naughtiness, joy, humour and yearning."
