Earthsea

Tales of wizards, dragons and magic by Ursula K Le Guin.

Episodes

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
0101Shadow2015042720161231 (BBC7)
20170101 (BBC7)
20181005 (BBC7)
Ursula K Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set on the magical archipelago rich with wizards and dragons. Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra.

Based on the novels A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin. Adapted by Judith Adams.

Hungry for power and knowledge, the young wizard Ged tampers with long-held secrets and releases a terrible shadow into the world. Meanwhile, Tenar is taken away from her home and family to become Arha, the guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan.

Published between 1968 and 1972, the first three books of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore) are re-told across six intertwined episodes. Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Ged and Tenar. Ged is a boy from the island of Gont, born with innate magical talent and a reckless nature, who releases a terrible shadow into the world and must risk everything in order to restore the balance. Tenar, a girl from the island of Atuan, is taken from her home and family to become Arha, the Priestess Ever Reborn, guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan. Deep within the Tombs, Ged and Tenar encounter one another and seek a way of bringing peace to the troubled archipelago.

Ged - James McArdle

Tenar - Aysha Kala

Young Ged - Kasper Hilton-Hille

Young Tenar - Nishi Malde

Ogion - Paul Hilton

Manan - Zubin Varla

Thar - Souad Faress

Father - David Hounslow

Boy - Adam Thomas-Wright

Oarsman - Mark Edel-Hunt

Witch - Jessica Turner

Serret - Lucy Hutchinson

Shipmaster - Stephen Critchlow

Original music by Jon Nicholls.

Sound design by Caleb Knightley.

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

Ged tampers with long-held secrets to release a terrible shadow into the world.

0102Schooling2015042820170107 (BBC7)
20170108 (BBC7)
20181008 (BBC7)
Ursula K Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set on the magical archipelago rich with wizards and dragons.

Based on the novels A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin. Adapted by Judith Adams.

The young mage Ged is sent to the school for wizards on Roke Island but his pride and recklessness prove fatal. Meanwhile on Atuan, Tenar struggles to understand her role as guardian of the ominous Tombs. Her first official task will fill her with horror.

Published between 1968 and 1972, the first three books of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore) are re-told here across six intertwined episodes. Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Ged and Tenar. Ged is a boy from the island of Gont, born with innate magical talent and a reckless nature, who releases a terrible shadow into the world and must risk everything in order to restore the balance. Tenar, a girl from the island of Atuan, is taken from her home and family to become Arha, the Priestess Ever Reborn, guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan. Deep within the Tombs, Ged and Tenar encounter one another and discover a way of bringing peace to the troubled archipelago.

Ged - James McArdle

Tenar - Aysha Kala

Young Ged - Kasper Hilton-Hillie

Young Tenar - Nishi Malde

Manan - Zubin Varla

Kossil - Souad Faress

Doorkeeper - Stephen Critchlow

Nemmerle - Sam Dale

Raven - Ayesha Antoine

Jasper - Richard Linnell

Vetch - Jack Kane

Hand - David Acton

Herbal - Mark Edel-Hunt

Gensher - David Hounslow

Dragon - Jessica Turner

Original music by Jon Nicholls

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

Sent to Roke island's school for wizards, Ged's pride and recklessness prove fatal.

0103Lookfar2015042920170114 (BBC7)
20170115 (BBC7)
20181009 (BBC7)
Ursula K Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set on the magical archipelago rich with wizards and dragons.

Based on the novels A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin. Adapted by Judith Adams.

At Roke School, Ged released a terrible shadow into the world when he recklessly cast a spell for summoning the dead. It nearly cost him his life then and now it hunts him wherever he goes. He must make a choice: keep running or turn around and become hunter himself.

Ged - James McArdle

Tenar - Aysha Kala

Ogion - Paul Hilton

Vetch - Will Howard

Dragon - Jessica Turner

Pechvarry - Mark Edel-Hunt

Ship's Master - Sam Dale

2nd Ship's Master - Stephen Critchlow

Raven - Syesha Antoine

Skiorh - David Hounslow

Jessel - Chris Pavlo

Original music by Jon Nicholls

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

The terrible shadow he has released hunts Ged wherever he goes, so he must make a choice.

0104The Ring2015043020170121 (BBC7)
20170122 (BBC7)
20181010 (BBC7)
Ursula K Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set on the magical archipelago rich with wizards and dragons.

Based on the novel The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin. Adapted by Judith Adams.

When Tenar is chosen as high priestess to the ancient and nameless Powers of the Earth, everything is taken from her - home, family, even her name. She is now known only as Arha, the Eaten One, and guards the shadowy, labyrinthine Tombs of Atuan. Then Ged comes to steal the Tombs' greatest hidden treasure, the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. Tenar's duty is to protect the Ring, but Ged possesses the light of magic and tales of a world that Tenar has never known. Will she risk everything to escape from the darkness that has become her domain?

Ged - James McArdle

Tenar - Sysha Kala

Manan - Zubin Varla

Kossil - Souad Faress

Willow - Jessica Turner

Penthe - Ayesha Antoine

Original music by Jon Nicholls

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

Tenar encounters Ged, a wizard come to steal their greatest treasure.

0105Dragonfly2015050420170128 (BBC7)
20170129 (BBC7)
20181011 (BBC7)
Ursula K Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set on the magical archipelago rich with wizards and dragons.

Based on the novel The Farthest Shore by Ursula Le Guin. Adapted by Judith Adams.

It's now over 20 years since the action of The Tombs of Atuan, and magic has gone out of Earthsea. Mages have forgotten their spells and the springs of wizardry have running dry. Ged, Dragonlord and now Archmage of Earthsea, sets out with a young prince to seek the source of the darkness.

Ged - Shaun Dooley

Tenar - Vineeta Rishi

Arren - Will Featherstone

Sailor - Jude Akudwudike

Doorkeeper - Stephen Critchlow

Summoner - Sam Dale

Sopli - Chris Pavlo

Hare - David Acton

Woman - Syesha Antoine

Egre - David Hounslow

Woman - Jessica Turner

Original music by Jon Nicholls

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

Twenty years on, the magic had gone out of Earthsea. Ged seeks the source of the darkness.

0106 LASTThe Other Earthsea2015050520170204 (BBC7)
20170205 (BBC7)
20181012 (BBC7)
Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set on the magical archipelago rich with wizards and dragons.

Based on the novel The Farthest Shore by Ursula Le Guin. Adapted by Judith Adams.

A strange plague is spreading over Earthsea and the springs of wizardry are drying up. Driven to seek out the source of the trouble, Archmage Ged has embarked on a perilous journey with young prince Arren. Their travels have taken them to a land cursed with a strange soul sickness, as they seek the man behind this darkness.

Ged - Shaun Dooley

Tenar - Vineeta Rishi

Arren - Will Featherstone

Cob - Toby Jones

Nilgu - Noma Dumezweni

Orm Ember - Ayesha Antoine

Original music by Jon Nicholls

Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko.

Earthsea is in danger. The springs of wizardry are drying up.

0201A Bad Thing2018101520200731 (BBC7)
20220731 (BBC7)
On the island of Gont, Tenar saves a remarkable young girl from certain death. She also makes a dangerous enemy.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga starring Nina Wadia.

Published between 1968 and 2001, the five novels and short story collection of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea) are re-told across 12 episodes. The first three novels were re-told in series 1.

Series 2 takes in Tehanu, The Other Wind and the short story Dragonfly.

As a girl, Tenar, was taken from her home and family on the island of Atuan to become Arha, the Priestess Ever Reborn, guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan. Deep within the Tombs, Ged and Tenar met and became unlikely allies, escaped from Atuan, and brought peace to the troubled archipelago. Now in her late middle age, widowed and with grown up children, Tenar runs a farm on the island of Gont. She has not seen Ged for many years.

Ged was born on Gont, with innate magical talent and a reckless nature. He trained in wizardry on the island Roke, where he released a terrible shadow into the world and then risked his life to restore the balance. He grew to become Archmage on Roke and the greatest wizard on all of Earthsea. When the evil wizard Cob attempted to cheat death and live forever, Ged found him and closed the breach between life and death. In doing so, he lost his powers of magic.

Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Tenar and Ged.

Based on the novel Tehanu and adapted in six-parts by Judith Adams.

Tenar . . . Nina Wadia

Ogion . . . Michael Bertenshaw

Tehanu . . .Laura Elphinstone

Therru . . . Rosie Boore

Moss . . . Elizabeth Counsell

Aspen . . . John Lightbody

Handy . . . Ryan Early

Therru's father . . . Stephen Hogan

Clearbrook . . . Sean Murray

Kalessin . . . Emma Handy

Senini . . . Lauren Cornelius

Apple . . . Kerry Gooderson

Fisherman . . . Ryan Whittle

Original music by Jon Nichols.

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2018.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set in a magical world rich with wizards & dragons.

0202Tenar2018101620200803 (BBC7)
20220807 (BBC7)
Ged returns to the island of Gont on the back of a dragon. Meanwhile, the curse afflicting Tenar gathers force.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga - based on the novel Tehanu adapted by Judith Adams.

Published between 1968 and 2001, the five novels and short story collection of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea) are re-told across 12 episodes.

Series 2 takes in the action of Tehanu, The Other Wind and the short story Dragonfly from Tales of Earthsea.

Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Tenar and Ged.

Tenar . . . Nina Wadia

Ged . . . Robert Glenister

Therru . . . Rosie Boore

Moss . . . Elizabeth Counsell

Aspen . . . John Lightbody

Fan . . . Sean Murray

Courtier . . . Ryan Whittle

Courtier . . . Stephen Hogan

Original music by Jon Nichols.

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2018.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set in a magical world rich with wizards & dragons.

0203Tehanu2018101720200804 (BBC7)
20220814 (BBC7)
On the run, Tenar and Therru find shelter on the royal ship.

But it will take a dragon to finally rid them of their foes.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga - based on the novel Tehanu adapted by Judith Adams.

Published between 1968 and 2001, the five novels and short story collection of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea) are re-told across twelve episodes.

Series 2 takes in the action of Tehanu, The Other Wind and the short story Dragonfly from Tales of Earthsea.

Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Tenar and Ged.

Tenar . . . Nina Wadia

Ged . . . Robert Glenister

Tehanu . . . Laura Elphinstone

Therru . . . Rosie Boore

King Lebannen . . . Steven Robertson

Moss . . . Elizabeth Counsell

Aspen . . . John Lightbody

Kalessin . . . Emma Handy

Handy . . . Ryan Early

Therru's father . . . Stephen Hogan

Apple . . . Kerry Gooderson

Sailor . . . Sean Murray

Spark . . . Joseph Ayre

Original music by Jon Nichols

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2018.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set in a magical world rich with wizards & dragons.

0204The Mender2018101820200805 (BBC7)
20220821 (BBC7)
Alder, a man tormented by his dreams, seeks out the reclusive Archmage on the island of Gont.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga - based on the novel The Other Wind adapted by Judith Adams.

Published between 1968 and 2001, the five novels and short story collection of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea) are re-told across twelve episodes.

Series 2 takes in the action of Tehanu, The Other Wind and the short story Dragonfly from Tales of Earthsea.

Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Tenar and Ged.

Tehanu - Laura Elphinstone

Ged - Robert Glenister

Azver - Narinder Samra

Alder - Tom Vanson

Thorion - Sam Dale

Woman - Elizabeth Counsell

Sailor - Ryan Early

Fishwife - Emma Handy

Lily - Lauren Cornelius

Doorkeeper - Stephen Hogan

Original music by Jon Nichols.

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2018.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set in a magical world rich with wizards & dragons.

0205The Princess2018101920200806 (BBC7)
20220828 (BBC7)
Dragons threaten the Inner Isles. Tenar and Tehanu have arrived on Havnor to give counsel to the King. The threat is far greater than they first thought.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga - based on the novel The Other Wind adapted by Judith Adams.

Published between 1968 and 2001, the five novels and short story collection of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea) are re-told across twelve episodes.

Series 2 takes in the action of Tehanu, The Other Wind and the short story Dragonfly from Tales of Earthsea.

Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Tenar and Ged.

Tehanu - Laura Elphinstone

Tenar - Nina Wadia

Azver - Narinder Samra

King Lebannen - Steven Robertson

Alder - Tom Vanson

Seserekh - Sabrina Sandhu

Tesla - Sean Murray

Kalessin - Emma Handy

Oak - Stephen Hogan

Lady Iyesa - Lauren Cornelius

Sailor - Ryan Early

Original music by Jon Nichols.

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2018.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga set in a magical world rich with wizards & dragons.

0206 LASTChildren Of Fire And Earth2018102220200807 (BBC7)
20220904 (BBC7)
Kalessin, the eldest of dragons, brings a message to the people of Havnor.

At last, the King and his council know what they must do: travel to the beating heart of all of Earthsea.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga - based on the novel The Other Wind adapted by Judith Adams.

Published between 1968 and 2001, the five novels and short story collection of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea cycle (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, The Other Wind and Tales from Earthsea) are re-told across twelve episodes.

Series 2 takes in the action of Tehanu, The Other Wind and the short story Dragonfly from Tales of Earthsea.

Set on a vast archipelago of islands, where magic is a central part of life, they tell the stories of Tenar and Ged.

Tehanu - Laura Elphinstone

Tenar - Nina Wadia

Azver - Narinder Samra

King Lebannen - Steven Robertson

Alder - Tom Vanson

Ged - Robert Glenister

Seserekh - Sabrina Sandhu

Thorion - Sam Dale

Tesla - Sean Murray

Doorkeeper - Stephen Hogan

Original music by Jon Nichols

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Made for BBC Radio 4 Extra and first broadcast in October 2018.

Ursula Le Guin's enduring fantasy saga in a magical world rich with wizards and dragons.