Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Financial Scandal | 20131230 | A young woman in a 19th-century Cheshire town, having been snubbed and discarded in marriage, does something truly radical. When the family bank is in danger of a run, she pledges her whole private fortune to save it. But instead of merely underwriting it, in return she insists on running the bank herself, as a single woman, in defiance of all convention. Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883. Sometimes called 'the feminist Trollope', Oliphant is an unjustly-neglected British writer of the 19th-century, famed for her perceptive, ironic psychology, and her strong female characters. Dramatised in five parts by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster - revealing a flawed and fascinating heroine, reborn for radio. Margaret Oliphant - Penelope Wilton William - Adam Nagaitis Lady Ellen Vernon - Jasmine Hyde Mr Rule - Philip Jackson Hester Vernon - Lyndsey Marshal Harry Sellon - Ben Crowe Harp played by Ruth Faber. Director: Jonquil Panting First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013. A tale of banks and bankers, credit and discredit, and a woman who does something radical. The tale of a 19th-century woman who runs her own bank |
| 02 | Cousin Edward | 20131231 | Penelope Wilton and Lyndsey Marshal star in this high Victorian tale of a woman who runs her own bank. Hester rejects another offer of marriage which is in effect a merger attempt from a rival bank. To ward off further threats, she invites her disgraced cousin Edward Vernon and his spoilt wife back, to front the business of the bank with local businessmen. A young woman in a 19th-century Cheshire town, having been snubbed and discarded in marriage, does something truly radical. When the family bank is in danger of a run, she pledges her whole private fortune to save it. But instead of merely underwriting it, in return she insists on running the bank herself, as a single woman, in defiance of all convention. Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883. Dramatised by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster. Margaret Oliphant - Penelope Wilton Hester Vernon - Lyndsey Marshal Harry Sellon - Ben Crowe Farrington - Patrick Brennan Mildmay Vernon - Paul Stonehouse Miss Vernon-Ridgeway - Sarah Thom Miss Matilda Vernon-Ridgeway - Liza Sadovy Edward Vernon - Joseph Kloska Lady Ellen Vernon - Jasmine Hyde Labourer - Adam Nagaitis Director: Jonquil Panting First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013. When Hester is offered a merger to cancel her debts, she finds a neat but risky solution. The tale of a 19th-century woman who runs her own bank |
| 03 | Lady Ellen | 20140101 | Penelope Wilton and Lyndsey Marshal star in this high Victorian tale of a woman who runs her own bank. Hester Vernon, having invited her disgraced cousin to be her junior in the bank, finds his ambition for growth hard to control and there is also his wife - Lady Ellen - to take into account. Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883. Dramatised by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster. Margaret Oliphant - Penelope Wilton Hester Vernon - Lyndsey Marshal Lady Ellen - Jasmine Hyde Catherine Vernon - Lizzy Watts Edward Vernon - Joseph Kloska Director: Jonquil Panting Hester reckons without the influence of her wayward cousin Edward's vapid wife Ellen. The tale of a 19th-century woman who runs her own bank |
| 04 | In The Balance | 20140102 | Penelope Wilton and Lyndsey Marshal star in this high Victorian tale of a woman who runs her own bank. Grieving for his young wife, Edward Vernon can no longer resist secret speculation with the assets of the bank. When the market crashes and his scheme is discovered, he offers to run away with his cousin Hester, rather than face their ruin. Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883. Dramatised by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster. Margaret Oliphant - Penelope Wilton Hester Vernon - Lyndsey Marshal Edward Vernon - Joseph Kloska Mr Rule - Philip Jackson Miss Halifax - Stephanie Racine Miss Letitia - Liza Sadovy & Sarah Thom Clerk - Adam Nagaitis Clerk - Patrick Brennan Despatch Rider - Joe Sims Old Merridew - Robert Blythe Director: Jonquil Panting Hester does not want to see it, but here it is - the other side of Edward's picture. The tale of a 19th-century woman who runs her own bank |
| 05 | Farewell To Vernon's? | 20140103 | Penelope Wilton and Lyndsey Marshal star in this high Victorian tale of a woman who runs her own bank. Hester has not run away with her cousin, but once again Vernon's Bank is facing a run in the morning, and Hester is part of the negotiations to shore it up. But this time, she loses her position, as local businessmen create a joint stock bank, and exclude her from its board. Conclusion of Margaret Oliphant's novel first published in 1883. Dramatised by Kate Clanchy & Zena Forster. Margaret Oliphant - Penelope Wilton Hester Vernon - Lyndsey Marshal Mr Rule - Philip Jackson Farrington - Patrick Brennan Mapplethorpe - Adam Nagaitis Mrs Merridew - Stephanie Racine Harry Sellon - Ben Crowe Mildmay Vernon - Paul Stonehouse Catherine Vernon - Lizzy Watts Director: Jonquil Panting First broadcast in January 2014. Once again, Mr Rule is facing a run on the bank, which could close Vernon's forever. The tale of a 19th-century woman who runs her own bank |