Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20080211 | 20080212 (R4) | Early life in 1930s Shanghai was like a stage set. |
| 02 | 20080212 | 20080213 (R4) | The years at Lunghua Camp were nearly perfect for an adventurous lad. |
| 03 | 20080213 | 20080214 (R4) | In London, Ballard meets Mary and is mesmerised by the This Is Tomorrow art exhibition. |
| 04 | 20080214 | 20080215 (R4) | Tragedy turns the author into a lone father. |
| 05 LAST | 20080215 | 20080216 (R4) | Ballard's thoughts return to Shanghai as he strikes gold with Empire of the Sun. |