"John Banks is one of the UK's most prolific audiobook narrators, working for the likes of Big Finish, Audible, Random House and Games Workshop.

He is a true multi-voice, creating everything from monsters to marauding aliens.

He is also an accomplished stage and TV actor."

audible.co.uk 2018

Hello...

...I'm John Banks - welcome to my website.

The majority of my working life has been spent in the theatre with companies including
York Theatre Royal, Cheltenham Everyman, Sheffield Crucible, Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange and the National Theatre in London.

Television work includes Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and 'Allo, Allo!'. I have also worked on a number of radio drama and comedy productions with the BBC.

Since March 2009, I have enjoyed playing a huge variety of characters in more than 270* audio-drama stories with Big Finish Productions, together with The Black Library/Games Workshop, details of which can be found in the postings below.


There are also details listed here of the 214* audio books & stories I've recorded since March 2013,
including the unabridged New Revised Standard Version of The Bible, for companies including audible.co.uk, Hachette, Audible Studios, Podium Audio Publishing, HarperCollins, RNIB, W.F. Howes, Little Brown Group, Penguin Random House, Games Workshop, Orion, Fantom Films & Ladbroke Audio.

(*figures at April 2021)

I hope you find something of interest here and come back soon for further updates.


For all posts, reviews and audio samples, please scroll down...

The Runewar Saga: Book 2

The Runewar Saga: Book 2
The Crown of Fire & Fury

The Botanist

The Botanist
Washington Poe Series: Book 5

Skaven Deathmaster

The Babel Books

The Babel Books
The Fall of Babel - click image above for link to audible

Doctor Who: Back To Earth

Throne of Light: Dawn of Fire Book 4

Throne of Light: Dawn of Fire Book 4
Release Date: 13th November 2021

Soul Wars

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Thursday 23 December 2021

That's a wrap... !

Indeed it is a wrap; the year's work is now completed and the festivities - or the catch up on sleep - can finally begin. I know, for many, 2021 has been a difficult time and the global pandemic doesn't look as though it's coming to an end any time soon. Audiobooks and audio drama may turn out to be a welcome diversion and escape from the challenges of getting by during these very strange times - for all of us!

Here are details of my final two audio projects for this year, though I assure you, next year is, even now, looking incredibly busy; the audible.co.uk web site is already listing details of an audiobook I have not yet recorded and which isn't scheduled for release until June! It's the fifth M.W. Craven novel, 'The Botanist', and I'm really looking forward to starting work on it, though there's an awful lot to do between now and then.

As I was saying:

First to mention is Path of The Ranger Book 8:

  

The Turquoise Queen

A great danger has arisen in the north of the realm. Soldiers and Magi cannot defeat it. Will the Snow Panthers be able to?

While Lasgol and his comrades carry out their duties as Rangers, a shadowy danger gathers strength in the Frozen Territories and threatens the kingdom. Thoran sends his Ice Magi and his armies to fight against it.

The Snow Panthers are summoned to carry out a risky and complicated mission to obtain an object of power that will help destroy the evil that is on its way across the northern mountains to the capital. This is not the only danger our friends will have to face, since the Dark Rangers and the Zangrians continue to pose an ever-present threat, both to the realm and the Panthers.

Will they manage to secure the precious magical object they seek? Will the kingdom survive the evil that's on its way from the north, as well as the Dark Rangers and the Zangrians? Will Lasgol and his friends survive?

 
Written by Pedro Urvi, Produced by Emily Derr & Performed by John Banks
 
Audiobook: 12 hours - 51 minutes 
 
 
©2021 Pedro Urvi (P)2021 Podium Audio 
 
 
And the second release, also from Podium Audio, the first of a new series:
 

The Runewar Saga: The Throne of Ice & Ash

A throne in peril, a tragic betrayal, two heirs struggling to save their land, and a prophesied war threatening to engulf the world....


Bjorn, youngest heir to the Mad Jarl of Oakharrow, has always felt more at ease with a quill than a sword. Yet when calamity strikes his family, he must draw a blade and lead a company of warriors into the cold, deadly mountains in pursuit of a mysterious foe. Though he seeks vengeance, an ancient power stirs within him, and the whispers of prophecy beckon him toward an ominous destiny....

Aelthena, Bjorn’s sister, was born with the aptitude to lead, and she’s eager to prove it. But her society’s rules for women, and her love for her brother, restrain her efforts to command. As she walks the fine line between ambition and virtue, enemies of both mankind and myth rally against Oakharrow, and even her allies question her right to rule....

The Runewar is rising and it begins with the fall of a throne.

A harrowing tale of the struggle for power and the dawning heroes who rise above it, The Throne of Ice & Ash is book one of the Norse high fantasy series The Runewar Saga.

 

Written by J.D.L. Rosell, Produced by Hannah Grenfell & Performed by John Banks
 
Audiobook: 12 hours - 4 minutes 
 
 
©2021 J.D.L. Rosell (P)2021 Podium Audio 
 
* * * * *
 
And that really is 'a wrap' folks! Many thanks for visiting this website during 2021 and I sincerely hope you'll be checking in again in 2022.
 
In the meantime, may I wish you a very Happy Christmas, a relaxing and peaceful holiday season and a fabulous New Year! 
 
with my very best wishes, that's...
 

...all for now; more just as soon as it happens! 

 

Dalek Universe 2

Kragnos Broken Realms

Age of Sigmar Dominion

The Moggotkin of Nurgle

Kragnos Broken Realms

Dawn of Fire Book 1: Avenging Son

The Lore of Direchasm

Direchasm

A C'tan Shard Rises 3

Indomitus: Necrons 2

A Lord Among the Stars 1

Angels of Death Preview

Ultramarines

Psychic Awakening

Warcry: Death or Glory

Warhammer 40,000

Flight. Redefined.

Reviews & comments:

The Malazan Empire

Over the course of this 8 book series, the amazing John Banks has had to create and voice 648 distinct characters!

Neil Gardner - producer

The Door In The Wall & War of The Worlds

Not often I buy another version of an audiobook I own, but after hearing John Banks' narration of The Door in the Wall by Ladbroke Audio, I had to buy their version of The War of the Worlds. Banks has a great reading voice.

Andy Frankham-Allen - writer

The Books of Babel: Senlin Ascends, Arm of The Sphinx & The Hod King

Mr. Banks does superb work, and I recommend the audiobooks wholeheartedly!

Josiah Bancroft - writer

Mervyn Stone: The Axeman Cometh

John Banks is a voice genius...

Nev Fountain - writer

Mervyn Stone... played by the note-perfect John Banks.

Matt Hills - Reviews in Time and Space

Dr. Who: The Sleeping City

I also must draw attention to John Banks who is an exceptional voice artist and in this one story performs more characters that I can count. ... it is listening to episodes like this one that really do let his talents shine through.

Tony Jones - Red Rocket Rising

Highlander:

...playing several parts, was the brilliant Big Finish regular John Banks - it was as if there were about 40 different actors in the other booth.

James Moran - writer

I went for the best of the best and brought in voice artiste extraordinaire John Banks.

Paul Spragg - producer

Vienna:

...also features the mind - bogglingly versatile and reliable John Banks

Jonathan Morris - writer

Dead Funny:

The acting is first rate… wonderfully played by John Banks as Richard – his impersonation of Eric Morecambe is worth the admission money alone.

Beverly Greenberg: Bolton Evening News

Mr. Happiness:

This early and unfamiliar play by David Mamet is a character study of a 1930s radio counsellor, dispensing suave advice to his devoted listeners. John Banks brings out the wry comedy of this – comedy quite unappreciated by the character – with a clever range of gesture and vocal tone.

Jeremy Kingston: The Times


All My Sons:

This is a beautifully crafted piece ...and it affords a wonderful opportunity for John Readman* to do his All-American Boy act as Chris Keller. This most polished and well observed performance as the blighted son of a blighted father must rank as one of his finest accomplishments yet. ( * see Profile)

The Stage

The Ordeals of Sherlock Holmes

Kudos should also go to John Banks. Lestrade can be a thankless part, but Banks rose to the challenge, playing a pivotal role in this decades long arc.

Raissa Devereux - SciFiPulse

The Judgement of Sherlock Holmes

John Banks is multi-tasking, both as the superb Lestrade and also the villainous and no doubt moustache twirling Sebastian Moran. They sound completely different and I bow to his talent.

Sue Davies - SFcrowsnest


Further reviews and comments are included with specific postings throughout the site.

The War Doctor

The War Doctor
December 2015