Tarquin Hall is a writer and journalist who has lived and worked in much of South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He is the author of "Mercenaries, Missionaries, and Misfits: Adventures of an Underage Journalist"; "To the Elephant Graveyard"; "Salaam Brick Lane: A Year in the New East End"; and the Vish Puri series of mystery novels.

Sam Dastor studied English at Cambridge and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His early theatrical experience includes a spell at the National Theatre under Sir Laurence Olivier and time spent acting in the West End. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, he has been seen in "Timon of Athens", "Tales from Ovid", and a world tour of "A Servant to Two Masters". His many television appearances include "I, Claudius"; "Yes, Minister"; "Mountbatten"; "Julius Caesar"; and "Fortunes of War". He has also appeared in the films "Made", "Jinnah", and "Such a Long Journey", recorded over a thousand broadcasts for the BBC, and narrated numerous audio books.