The quintessential dramatisations of Homer’s two masterpieces, with exceptional casts including Derek Jacobi, Christopher Eccleston, Tim McInnerny and Benedict Cumberbatch

Attributed to the Greek poet Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey are among the greatest and most influential works of the past 3000 years, often claimed as the cornerstones of Western literature. For as long as these epics have existed, they have been retold, but these unmissable BBC dramas breathe new life into the classic stories, adding an extra dimension with stunning casts and specially composed music. Vivid, visceral and action-packed, they will transport you to the battlefield of Troy, and take you on a fantastic journey with the wandering king of Ithaca...

The Iliad – In pursuit of the beautiful Helen, stolen by the Trojan prince Paris, an Achaean battle fleet has sailed from Greece. For nine years the army of the Achaeans has lain siege to Troy, but still the great city stands – and in the ranks, failure breeds resentment and feuding. When the great warrior Achilles is humiliated by his leader, Agamemnon, he refuses to take any further part in the fight. But when the Trojan hero Hector kills his closest friend, Patroclus, he rampages back into battle to take a terrible revenge… Derek Jacobi narrates Homer's gripping tale of fury, grief, love and war, dramatised by Tom Holland and starring Christopher Eccleston, Iain Glen, Imogen Stubbs and Andrew Sachs.

The Odyssey – The Trojan War is long over, but Odysseus is still struggling to get home. After a decade of fighting and a further ten years battling storms and calamities, the Gods have decided that it is time for him to return to Ithaca. But Poseidon still wants revenge… As Odysseus is freed from the coils of Calypso, who had held him prisoner for seven years, we hear the incredible tale of his seafaring adventures, and his encounters with enchantresses, nymphs, monsters, prophets and ghosts. And we learn of his faithful wife Penelope who waits for him, besieged by suitors, and their son Telemachus who has a quest of his own… This stunning production won Gold at the 2005 Spoken Word Awards and was acclaimed Best Audio Drama at the 2009 Audie Awards. Tim McInnerny stars as Odysseus, with Amanda Redman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bertie Carvel, Adjoa Andoh and Frances Barber.

The Iliad
Homer – Derek Jacobi
Achilles – Christopher Eccleston
Hector – Iain Glen
Agamemnon – Bill Wallis
Helen – Imogen Stubbs
Chryses – Clive Mantle
Athena/Andromache – Suzanna Hamilton
Hero/Hecuba – Mia Soteriou
Odysseus – Michael Elwyn
Priam – Andrew Sachs
Paris – Tom Espiner
Menelaus – John MacKay
Thetis – Jacqueline Tong
Zeus – Michael Fenton Stevens
Patroclus – Jamie Glover
Apollo – Chris Donnelly
Dramatised by Tom Holland
Produced and directed by Viv Beeby and Jeremy Howes

The Odyssey
Odysseus – Tim McInnerny
Penelope – Amanda Redman
Telemachus – Benedict Cumberbatch
Athena – Janet McTeer
Zeus – John Wood
Eurycleia – Mary Wimbush
Hermes – Bertie Carvel
King Alcinous – Geoffrey Whitehead
Queen Arete – Cheryl Campbell
Princess Nausicaa – Alice Hart
Calypso – Adjoa Andoh
The Cyclops – Barrie Rutter
Antinous – Danny Webb
Eurymachus – Jonathan Keeble
Amphinomus – Chris Pavlo
Eurylochus – Ewan Bailey
Polites – John Rowe
Elpenus – Stephen Hogan
Eurybates – Philip Fox
Antiphus/Shipmate – Jon Glover
Eumaeus – Ioan Meredith
Circe – Frances Barber
Ghost of Anticleia – Joanna McCallum
The Sirens: Elena Ferarri, Belinda Sykes, Harriet Williams
Dramatised by Simon Armitage
Directed by Janet Whitaker

© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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