Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | Eel | 20211221 | 20240430 (R4) | Ian (played by Mark Rylance) has gone to work for neighbouring landowner Theo Buckhurst as Liv (Sophie Okonedo) prepares to sell up to Wildscapes – but nature, as ever, has a different plan, and a major flood event is forecast to engulf Fleggwick. The third in the series of Steve Waters' seasonal dramas follows the life of a fictional wetlands nature reserve, over the period of one year. Storm clouds are well and truly established over the nature reserve Liv has inherited from her father. The oncoming flood will bring a pulse of salt water into the Fen, threatening countless fresh water species. And with plans to sell Fleggwick also complete, the future looks decidedly insecure in this otherwise beautiful corner of Norfolk. Song of the Reed is recorded on location at RSPB's Strumpshaw Fen. The story is informed by the sounds of the reserve as well as the real work and science of conservation taking place in the face of rapid environmental change in the wetlands of Norfolk, and everywhere. Liv - Sophie Okonedo Ian - Mark Rylance Tam - Ella Dorman Gajic Kay - Molly Naylor Theo - Tom Goodman-Hill Nikki - Karen Hill Charlie - Jimmy Rutherford Voice of the Reed - Christine Kavanagh Other parts played by staff and volunteers at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen Written by Steve Waters Music by Michael Somerset Ward with Rebecca Hearne Cello played by Liz Hanks Produced and Directed by Boz Temple-Morris A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4 Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance return in seasonal drama set on a Norfolk nature reserve. Third in a series of seasonal dramas following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year, starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance. |
| 04 | Bittern | 20220321 | 20240507 (R4) | Conclusion of this seasonal drama following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year. Starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance. Ian (Mark Rylance) returns to Fleggwick for the first time since suffering serious injuries during the winter's flood and finds it as beautiful and full of life as ever, but still endangered as Liv (Sophie Okonedo) struggles to find a way to keep the Reserve going. This is the fourth and final episode of an innovative drama, with instalments recorded on location at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk every three months, documenting the extraordinary wetlands habitat as it changes through the seasons. This episode features the Bittern as its special guest star – a characterful bird known for its booming call. Song of the Reed, by Steve Waters, is informed by the sounds of the reserve as well as the real work and science of conservation taking place in the face of rapid environmental change in the wetlands of Norfolk, and everywhere. Cast: Liv - Sophie Okonedo Ian - Mark Rylance Tam - Ella Dorman Gajic Kay - Molly Naylor Theo - Tom Goodman-Hill Nikki - Karen Hill Sadegh - Zaydun Khalaf Voice of the Reed - Christine Kavanagh Other parts played by staff and volunteers at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen Written by Steve Waters Music by Michael Somerset Ward with Rebecca Hearne Sound design by Alisdair McGregor Produced and Directed by Boz Temple-Morris A Holy Mountain production for BBC Radio 4 Conclusion of remarkable drama following the life of a nature reserve over one year. Conclusion of the seasonal drama following life on a wetlands nature reserve in Norfolk over one year. Starring Sophie Okonedo and Mark Rylance. |