Wondery announces new limited series: The Price of Paradise

The Price of Paradise, the latest UK original limited series from Wondery and Forest Sounds, is the astonishing true-life story of two women; the Brit who buys her own private island on the stunning Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua and the local human rights lawyer who fights to protect it, triggering a tumultuous chain of events captured in a tale blending adventure, aspiration and true crime.

Hosted by Alice Levine (British Scandal, My Dad Wrote a Porno), the story charts back to 2000 when Jayne Gaskin, a mother of three from Hampshire, stumbles across a new website called tropicalislands.com. One advert catches her eye – for a beautiful private island, just off the coast of Nicaragua, with a surprisingly affordable price. Jayne decides to take the plunge and follow her dream of freedom - trading her village home for an off-grid paradise, complete with swaying palm trees and crystal-clear waters.

It isn’t long before a production company joins them for the ride, to film their journey for a new reality TV series - No Going Back - for British broadcaster Channel 4. Soon, Jayne’s island escapade will gain national attention and thrust Jayne into the centre of a brutal tabloid scandal.

Because paradise is not all it seems. When they arrive, Jayne discovers her new island is at the centre of a centuries-old land dispute. The local Indigenous population say the islands house resources that are vital for their survival, from fish to fresh water. The area is also home to endangered Hawksbill turtles, whose nesting sites are being threatened.

Local human rights lawyer, Maria Acosta, launches a legal battle to reclaim the islands for the local indigenous population. But both Jayne and Maria’s lives are about to turn upside down, when this battle over paradise spirals into a deadly war. One that ends in kidnapping, murder and an ongoing quest for justice that continues to this day.

Jessica Radburn, Head of International Podcast Content at Wondery said: “The Price of Paradise is the tale of two women whose dreams collide, in a clash over aspiration and culture, with both resonance and lessons for today. Listeners will be transported to a tropical utopia where island life is not all it seems and a picture-perfect backdrop hides a tale of secrets, betrayals and corruption. Most of all it’s a compelling story full of plot-twists – laced with tragedy as well as moments of humour – expertly told by our brilliant host Alice Levine through a gripping script, cinematic soundscape and eye-witness contributor accounts, many speaking for the first time.”

The Price of Paradise is produced by Forest Sounds and Wondery. This is the latest in Wondery’s UK original slate which includes award-winning series British Scandal, Legacy, Terribly Famous, The Spy Who and Ghost Story, which recently hit #1 (Apple Podcasts) in the UK, US and several countries across the globe. Other UK originals from Wondery include Hooked on Freddie, Stolen Hearts, Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera and Who Killed Daphne? Wondery also confirmed two UK partner deals with world class UK podcast talent for Brydon & and RedHanded.