Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20090906 | 20090912 (R4) | Dramatisation by Robin Brooks of James Boswell's biography of Samuel Johnson, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Johnson's birth. Young Boswell comes to London to seek out his hero. He wants to write a biography of the great man 'in scenes', with Johnson's conversation cast as dialogue. Nothing quite like this has ever been attempted before. Samuel Johnson - Kenneth Cranham James Boswell - Paul Higgins King George - David Hargreaves Louisa - Lizzy Watts Joshua Reynolds - Matt Addis Oliver Goldsmith - Stephen Hogan Lady Di - Annabelle Dowler Davies - Philip Fox Young Boswell heads to London, keen to write his hero Johnson's biography. |
| 02 | 20090913 | 20090919 (R4) | Dramatisation by Robin Brooks of James Boswell's biography of Samuel Johnson, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Johnson's birth. Boswell visits Johnson only intermittently, but relies on him more and more. Johnson meets Hester Thrale, who becomes his devoted friend and confidante, and the most important person in his life. Samuel Johnson - Kenneth Cranham James Boswell - Paul Higgins Hester Thrale - Annabelle Dowler David Garrick - David Hargreaves Mrs Desmoulins - Susan Jameson Joshua Reynolds - Matt Addis Dilly - Stephen Hogan Wilkes - Philip Fox Boswell relies on Johnson more and more. Hester Thrale becomes Johnson's devoted friend. |