Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20080811 | Robert Forrest's thriller and love story set in the court of the Empress Sadako in 10th-century Japan. Within the palace walls, a series of disturbing crimes throws the court into confusion and unrest. Sei Shonagon's brilliance and wit is called upon for more than her Empress's amusement. Shonagon ...... Ruth Gemmell Narimasa ...... John Rowe Empress ...... Laura Rees Tadanobu ...... Benedict Cumberbatch Saisho ...... Caroline Martin Emperor ...... Richard Madden Yukinari ...... Mark Bazeley. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 02 | 20080812 | Robert Forrest's thriller and love story set in the court of the Empress Sadako in 10th-century Japan. In the snow-covered palace, the thefts are moving in a slow spiral towards the inner chambers of the Emperor, the Sun God himself. Shonagon ...... Ruth Gemmell Yukinari ...... Mark Bazeley Empress ...... Laura Rees Tadanobu ...... Benedict Cumberbatch Saisho ...... Caroline Martin Emperor ...... Richard Madden Tozammi ...... Colette O'Neil. The thefts are moving in a slow spiral towards the inner chambers of the Emperor. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 03 | 20080813 | Robert Forrest's thriller and love story set in the court of the Empress Sadako in 10th-century Japan. Shonagon has been appointed guide and assistant to Lieutenant Yukinari as he investigates a series of thefts within the palace walls. Her lover Tadanobu is uncomfortable about the nature of the contract between the pair. Shonagon ...... Ruth Gemmell Narimasa ...... John Rowe Tadanobu ...... Benedict Cumberbatch Tozammi ...... Colette O'Neil Yukinari ...... Mark Bazeley. Shonagon has been appointed guide and assistant to Yukinari as he investigates the thefts. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 04 | 20080814 | Robert Forrest's thriller and love story set in the court of the Empress Sadako in 10th-century Japan. The Demon Shiki is discovered sitting on the throne itself, suggesting that the supernatural is at work within the palace walls. Meanwhile, Shonagon and Yukinari continue to search for some human motive behind the escalating crimes. Shonagon ...... Ruth Gemmell Yukinari ...... Mark Bazeley Tadanobu ...... Benedict Cumberbatch Emperor ...... Richard Madden Narimasa ...... John Rowe. The Demon Shiki is discovered, suggesting that the supernatural is at work. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |
| 05 | 20080815 | Robert Forrest's thriller and love story set in the court of the Empress Sadako in 10th-century Japan. The palace criminal is discovered, but exposing him may cost Shonagon and Yukinari their lives. Shonagon ...... Ruth Gemmell Yukinari ...... Mark Bazeley Empress ...... Laura Rees Tadanobu ...... Benedict Cumberbatch Narimasa ...... John Rowe Emperor ...... Richard Madden. The criminal is discovered, but exposing him may cost Shonagon and Yukinari their lives. Classic and contemporary original drama and book dramatisations |