The Prospect

Newly-elected MP Bobby Khan navigating the corruption and tricky world of politics, power and community life. Bobby Khan has a bright future ahead of him. Young, charismatic and ambitious, he’s recently got married to his long-term girlfriend Lucy, and has just won an important by-election in the Northern constituency of Floxton West. As an Asian MP, he hopes to improve race relations in his community and bring people together – but when a white DJ is found beaten to death, and a Muslim constituent is arrested for his murder, Bobby faces pressure from the accused’s family to get involved. Then his cousin Wasim is imprisoned on terrorism charges, and Bobby’s idealism is shattered as he becomes embroiled in a series of personal and political dilemmas. Two years later, the dust has settled, and Bobby is a rising star in Westminster, with his sights set on a ministerial position. But a family bombshell and a blackmailer turn his life upside down once more – and when he backs an animal-testing laboratory in his constituency, he finds himself facing a violent backlash... Nitin Ganatra and Zubin Varla play Bobby in this thrilling tale of politics, power, corruption and betrayal. Among the stellar cast are Vincent Ebrahim, Bhasker Patel, Barbara Marten, Christopher Bisson, Gillian Kearney, Nicola Stephenson and Sacha Dhawan. Content Warning: Contains strong language and deals with themes of racism Production credits Series 1 written by Avie Luthra and Gary Brown Series 2 written by Mike Harris, Jon Sen and Avie Luthra Produced and directed by Pauline Harris Cast Bobby Khan – Nitin Ganatra/Zubin Varla Elizabeth – Barbara Marten Imran – Vincent Ebrahim/Bhasker Patel Wasim – Christopher Bisson Terry – John McArdle Ayesha – Archie Panjabl Lucy – Gillian Kearney/Nicola Stephenson Paul Deacon – David Fleeshman Rashid Choudry – Amer Nazlr Rhobina Choudry – Rani Moorthy Craig Williams – Sam Curtis Jerome – Aaron Cobham Newsreader – Mark Edwardson Martha Kearney – Herself Harry/Hanif – Sacha Dhawan DI Brown/Pathologist – Seamus O’Neill Mike Winters – Michael Feast Barry – Lee Boardman Isabella – Fiona Clarke David/Geraint – James Quinn Sara – Millie Rose Kinsey Shazia/Woman – Balvinder Sopal Ali – Darren Kuppan Graham – Jonathan Keeble Karl – Graeme Hawley Minister – Malcolm Raeburn Helen – Christine Brennan News reporter – Shari Vahl School children from St Mary's Church of England Infant and Junior School, Manchester Fraud adviser: Shari Vahl Political adviser: Andrew Russell Music consultant: Philip Tagney First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 May-8 June 2007 (Series 1), 31 July-14 August 2009 (Series 2) © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd