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BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation

The Forsytes: The Complete Series

Jessica Raine stars in all four BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of John Galsworthy's Forsyte novels.

John Galsworthy (1867 – 1933) was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga (1906–1921) and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932.

Jessica Raine stars in all four BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of John Galsworthy's Forsyte novels. 
 
An irresistible family saga of love, money and betrayal, The Forsytes: The Complete Series encompasses four acclaimed BBC Radio 4 productions of Galsworthy’s perennially popular epic, spanning 50 years from 1886 to 1936. 
 
The Forsytes sees wealthy Soames Forsyte questioning his relationship with his beautiful wife Irene. As evidence of her betrayal emerges, the family is torn apart and scandal unleashed. In The Forsytes Continues, it is 1920 and Soames would do anything for his sparkling daughter, Fleur. But when she falls in love with the wrong man, how can he stop history repeating itself? The Forsytes Returns picks up Fleur’s story four years later, as she vows to put her past behind her and settle down. But those around her are intent on stirring up trouble. The Forsytes Concludes introduces young Dinny Cherrell, Fleur’s cousin. Unbeknown to both, their lives will be paralleled in ways neither could have predicted... 
 
Starring Jessica Raine, with a cast including Joseph Millson, Juliet Aubrey, Jonathan Bailey, Ben Lambert and Sarah Ridgeway, this compelling drama delves behind the Edwardian façade to reveal Galsworthy's wonderful wit, observation and insight into human nature.

John Galsworthy

Full Cast

Dirk Bogarde

Diana Quick

Amanda Redman

Michael Williams

Maurice Denham

Sophie Thompson

Alan Howard

Michael Hordern

4 Full Cast BBC Radio Dramatisations

An epic BBC radio adaptation of John Galsworthy's complete Forsyte Chronicles, narrated by Dirk Bogarde and with an all-star cast 
 
'Hallmarked with elegance and craftsmanship' The Evening Standard 
 
First broadcast in 1990, this monumental adaptation of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning novel series was a radio event. It was the most expensive drama serial ever produced, featured one of the biggest, most star-studded casts and dominated the Radio 4 schedules for over 5 months, attracting over a million listeners each week.Comprising all nine books in Galsworthy's Forsyte Chronicles, it spans 50 years - from 1886 to 1936 - and tells the irresistible story of an upper-class dynasty torn apart by a terrible feud. 
 
Wealthy, privileged and successful, the Forsytes seem to have it all. But the disastrous marriage of Irene and Soames Forsyte, and the dire consequences of one night and the next foggy day, are to split the family for generations. As the sins of the father are visited upon the children, the younger Forsytes - from Soames' daughter Fleur to her cousin Dinny Cherrell - find themselves doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past as they experience both the pain and the promise of love. Beset by emotional disasters, domestic dramas and society scandals, can the various members of this sprawling family ever find lasting happiness? 
 
This sweeping tale of passion, power and money stars a host of outstanding actors, including Dirk Bogarde, Alan Howard, Michael Hordern, Diana Quick, Michael Williams, Maurice Denham, Amanda Redman and Sophie Thompson. 
 
Cast and credits 
Written by John Galsworthy 
 
The Forsyte Chronicles 
Galsworthy - Dirk Bogarde 
Old Jolyon - Michael Hordern 
Soames Forsyte - Alan Howard 
Irene - Diana Quick 
Young Jolyon - Michael Williams 
James - Maurice Denham 
Aunt Ann - Fabia Drake 
Aunt Hester - Rachel Kempson 
Aunt Juley - Renee Asherson 
June - Angela Pleasence 
Philip Bosinney - Michael Cochrane 
Swithin - David March 
Roger/Justice Bentham/Sir Luke Sharman/Adrian Cherrell - John Moffatt 
George/Monsieur Profond - Christopher Good 
Nicholas - John Gabriel 
Emily - Maxine Audley 
Winifred - Fiona Walker 
Montague Dartie/Elderson - Donald Gee 
Francie - Susan Sheridan 
Mrs Macander/Mme Lamotte/Smither/American woman - Jo Kendall 
Young Chankery - Charles Simpson 
Waterbuck, QC/Timothy/Mr Settlewhite/Hilary Cherrell - David King 
Annette - Shelley Thompson 
Holly - Elizabeth Mansfield 
Val - Dale Rapley 
Jolly - Paul Downing 
Dreamer/Francis/Francis Wilmot/Hubert Cherrell - Simon Treves 
Polteed/Gradman/Cuthbert Mothergil/Editor/Foskisson/Blore - Brian Miller 
Doctor/Lord Charles Ferrar/Lionel Cherrell/Neil Wintney/Mr Instone - James Greene 
Fleur - Amanda Redman 
Other Cast: Gary Cady, Gary Bond, Tara Dominick, Vincent Brimble, Nicholas Gilbrook, Sue Broomfield, Paul Daneman, Philip Sully, Stephen Garlick, John Bull, Danny Schiller, Belinda Lang, Jack May, Ben Onwukwe, David Bannerman, Ian Lindsay, Stuart McGuigan, Michael Kilgarriff, Catherine Furshpan, Christopher Scott, Garard Green, Mary Allen, Sophie Thompson, Dorothy Tutin, Peter Marinker, Moir Leslie, Danielle Allan, Paul Rattigan, Jack Klaff, Lois Burgess, Miranda Foster, Peter Howell, Aubrey Woods, Jody McDonald, James Warwick, David Yelland, Matthew Solon, Elizabeth Kelly, William Wortley, Henry Power, Leonard Fenton, Jenny Howe and Nigel Carrington 
 
Dramatised by David Spenser, Shirley Gee and Elspeth Sandys 
Directed by Janet Whitaker, Anthony Cornish and Sue Wilson 
Series producer: Janet Whitaker 
Pianist: Mary Nash 
 
First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 September 1990-2 March 1991 
 
©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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