Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boris Godunov: Ghosts | 20160918 | By Mike Walker "Petty thieves hang, great ones escape." Or so goes the Russian saying. Did Boris Godunov have Ivan the Terrible's son killed in order to steal the throne? And what did he do when the murdered boy came back from the dead - leading an army to steal it all back? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars surveys the Time of Troubles, a period that saw the crown change hands 5 times in just 22 years. Boris Godunov . . . . . Shaun Dooley Director: Sasha Yevtushenko Shaun Dooley is Boris Godunov in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | ||
| Boris Godunov: Ghosts | 20160918 | 20160924 (R4) | By Mike Walker "Petty thieves hang, great ones escape." Or so goes the Russian saying. Did Boris Godunov have Ivan the Terrible's son killed in order to steal the throne? And what did he do when the murdered boy came back from the dead - leading an army to steal it all back? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars surveys the Time of Troubles, a period that saw the crown change hands 5 times in just 22 years. Boris Godunov . . . . . Shaun Dooley Director: Sasha Yevtushenko Shaun Dooley is Boris Godunov in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| Ivan The Terrible: Absolute Power | 20160911 | 20160917 (R4) | Following years of tumultuous reign, Tsar Ivan IV abruptly leaves Moscow and announces his abdication. Russia is without a Tsar and thrown into chaos, with the boyars unable to rule and in fear of an uprising. They beg Ivan to return. His condition is simple: Absolute Power. Are they right to accept? Was it ever really a choice? Mike Walker's full-blooded drama chronicles the fearsome reign of the first Tsar of All Russia. Ivan IV . . . . . David Threlfall Written by Mike Walker Director: Sasha Yevtushenko Originally part of a season of programmes to mark the centenary of the Russian Revolution in October 2017. Series One takes in the reigns of Ivan IV (aka The Terrible), Boris Godunov and Peter The Great. Series Two chronicles the reigns of Catherine the Great; Alexander I and the Napoleonic Wars; and Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs. Series Three takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, the Soviets, and Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016 David Threlfall is Ivan the Terrible in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. Following years of tumultuous reign, Tsar Ivan IV abruptly leaves Moscow and announces his abdication. Russia is without a Tsar and thrown into chaos, with the boyars unable to rule and in fear of an uprising. They beg Ivan to return. His condition is simple: Absolute Power. Are they right to accept? Was it ever really a choice? Mike Walker's full-blooded drama chronicles the fearsome reign of the first Tsar of All Russia. Ivan IV . . . . . David Threlfall Written by Mike Walker Director: Sasha Yevtushenko Originally part of a season of programmes to mark the centenary of the Russian Revolution in October 2017. Series One takes in the reigns of Ivan IV (aka The Terrible), Boris Godunov and Peter The Great. Series Two chronicles the reigns of Catherine the Great; Alexander I and the Napoleonic Wars; and Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs. Series Three takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, the Soviets, and Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016 David Threlfall is Ivan the Terrible in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik | 20171105 | By Mike Walker In June 1941, when news came through that the Nazis had taken Minsk, 300 miles into Soviet territory, Joseph Stalin retired to his dacha. And there he stayed for three days - refusing to answer the telephone or to see anyone. What was he doing, at a time when his country needed him most? Had he suffered a mental breakdown? Was he unable to face up to his gross miscalculation that Hitler would not start a war on two fronts? Or did he fear arrest? And was this an act of cunning, to test the loyalty of his inner circle? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Joseph Stalin and the invasion of the Soviet Union. The guitarist was Colin Guthrie. Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko. Where was Joseph Stalin when the Soviet Union was attacked? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | ||
| Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik | 20171105 | 20171111 (R4) | By Mike Walker In June 1941, when news came through that the Nazis had taken Minsk, 300 miles into Soviet territory, Joseph Stalin retired to his dacha. And there he stayed for three days - refusing to answer the telephone or to see anyone. What was he doing, at a time when his country needed him most? Had he suffered a mental breakdown? Was he unable to face up to his gross miscalculation that Hitler would not start a war on two fronts? Or did he fear arrest? And was this an act of cunning, to test the loyalty of his inner circle? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Joseph Stalin and the invasion of the Soviet Union. The guitarist was Colin Guthrie. Directed by Sasha Yevtushenko. Where was Joseph Stalin when the Soviet Union was attacked? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| Lenin: Tears | 20171029 | In 1917, the Romanov dynasty came to an end and the Soviet era began. Lenin's first priority on returning from exile and joining the provisional government was to get Russia out of the First World War, but not all of his fellow- revolutionaries agreed. And as the Duma wavered, the Bolsheviks seized their opportunity for complete power. By Mike Walker Director Alison Hindell For the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Radio 4's ambitious chronicle of Russian leaders reaches the present day. The final season takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, Stalin and finally, Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the rulers of Russia reaches the Soviet era and Lenin. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | ||
| Lenin: Tears | 20171029 | 20171104 (R4) | In 1917, the Romanov dynasty came to an end and the Soviet era began. Lenin's first priority on returning from exile and joining the provisional government was to get Russia out of the First World War, but not all of his fellow- revolutionaries agreed. And as the Duma wavered, the Bolsheviks seized their opportunity for complete power. By Mike Walker Director Alison Hindell For the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Radio 4's ambitious chronicle of Russian leaders reaches the present day. The final season takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, Stalin and finally, Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the rulers of Russia reaches the Soviet era and Lenin. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| Nikolai II: Three Hundred Years | 20171022 | In 1913, the Romanov dynasty celebrated three hundred years since they had claimed the Russian throne. Despite social unrest, public festivities were enjoyed and Tsar Nikolai II believed he held the hearts of the people. But four years later, following disastrous military campaigns in the First World War, and with a populace fired by revolutionary rhetoric, his grudging attempts to move with the times were not enough and he was forced to abdicate. By Mike Walker. Director Alison Hindell For the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Radio 4's ambitious chronicle of Russian leaders reaches the present day. The final season takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, Stalin and finally, Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. Mike Walker's epic chronicle continues with the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | ||
| Nikolai II: Three Hundred Years | 20171022 | 20171028 (R4) | In 1913, the Romanov dynasty celebrated three hundred years since they had claimed the Russian throne. Despite social unrest, public festivities were enjoyed and Tsar Nikolai II believed he held the hearts of the people. But four years later, following disastrous military campaigns in the First World War, and with a populace fired by revolutionary rhetoric, his grudging attempts to move with the times were not enough and he was forced to abdicate. By Mike Walker. Director Alison Hindell For the centenary of the Russian Revolution, Radio 4's ambitious chronicle of Russian leaders reaches the present day. The final season takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, Stalin and finally, Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. Mike Walker's epic chronicle continues with the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| Peter the Great: Queen of Spades | 20161002 | By Mike Walker Peter the Great returns from a grand tour of Europe full of ideas of modernisation. Distracted with the building of his new capital of St Petersburg, and the passion of Catherine, the only woman to meet his match, he ignores his opponents who don't want to be dragged into the eighteenth century. But when his own son Alexei declares his colours, Peter is forced to take action. Peter ..... Elliot Cowan Director Alison Hindell Elliot Cowan is Peter the Great in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | ||
| Peter the Great: Queen of Spades | 20161002 | 20161008 (R4) | By Mike Walker Peter the Great returns from a grand tour of Europe full of ideas of modernisation. Distracted with the building of his new capital of St Petersburg, and the passion of Catherine, the only woman to meet his match, he ignores his opponents who don't want to be dragged into the eighteenth century. But when his own son Alexei declares his colours, Peter is forced to take action. Peter ..... Elliot Cowan Director Alison Hindell Elliot Cowan is Peter the Great in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| Peter The Great: The Gamblers | 20160925 | 20161001 (R4) | By Mike Walker Moscow, 1682 and clan rivalry forces the accession of two joint tsars: one, Ivan, is feeble-minded and the other is Peter, a child of ten years old. Sophia, their half-sister, proclaims herself regent and in so doing becomes the first woman to rule Russia, with the Streltsy, the tsar's regiment of ruthless musketeers, on her side. But under-estimating Peter as he grows up could prove a dangerous mistake. Peter - Will Howard Sophia - Christine Bottomley Young Menshikov - Justin Davies Nikita - Simon Armstrong Lefort - Carl Prekopp Brandt / Golitsyn - Steffan Rhodri Natalya - Claire Cage Gordon / Dolgoruky - Brendan Charleson Young Peter - Isaac Rouse Menshikov - Sion Pritchard Ivan / Nachaev - Jonathan Green Eudoxia - Kirsty Oswald Director Alison Hindell In the run-up to the centenary of the Russian Revolution in October 2017, Radio 4's ambitious chronicle of Russian rulers continues. 11 plays, in three seasons, from Ivan the Terrible, contemporary of Elizabeth I, to Russia's current Premier, Vladimir Putin, TSAR continues the full-blooded, 'more is more' tradition established in Plantagenet and The Stuarts for Radio 4. Series One takes in the reigns of Ivan IV (aka The Terrible), Boris Godunov and Peter The Great. Series Two (Spring 2017) will chronicle the reigns of Catherine the Great; Alexander I and the Napoleonic Wars; and Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs. Series Three (Autumn 2017) takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, the Soviets, and Putin. The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko. Will Howard is the young Peter the Great in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| The Shield and the Sword | 20171112 | By Mike Walker Mike Walker's ambitious chronicle of the Russian Tsars concludes with a drama that surveys the reign of Vladimir Putin. As with Putin's beloved espionage serial The Shield and the Sword, at the heart of this story stands a spy who lives a hundred lives to protect one life: his true identity. Weaving together many interconnected stories, some true and others fictional, the drama goes in search of the true identity of the enigmatic Russian President, whose leadership has lasted almost 18 years. We tell stories from Putin's childhood, the early days in the KGB, his relationship with outgoing President Yeltsin, the battle with the oligarchs, the fallout from the Kursk tragedy, as well as the accusations of corruption and authoritarian repression. Does each new story shed further light on the mystery, or leads us further into the labyrinth? Thirteen stories about the current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | ||
| The Shield and the Sword | 20171112 | 20171118 (R4) | By Mike Walker Mike Walker's ambitious chronicle of the Russian Tsars concludes with a drama that surveys the reign of Vladimir Putin. As with Putin's beloved espionage serial The Shield and the Sword, at the heart of this story stands a spy who lives a hundred lives to protect one life: his true identity. Weaving together many interconnected stories, some true and others fictional, the drama goes in search of the true identity of the enigmatic Russian President, whose leadership has lasted almost 18 years. We tell stories from Putin's childhood, the early days in the KGB, his relationship with outgoing President Yeltsin, the battle with the oligarchs, the fallout from the Kursk tragedy, as well as the accusations of corruption and authoritarian repression. Does each new story shed further light on the mystery, or leads us further into the labyrinth? Thirteen stories about the current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars. | |
| 01 | Catherine The Great: Husbands Lovers And Sons | 20170430 | 20170506 (R4) | Did the young Catherine foresee the consequences of staging a coup d'退tat against her husband the Tsar? Or did she want him dead from the start? Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues. Catherine The Great came to Russia as a 15-year-old girl from Prussia and became one of Russia's most renowned monarchs, transforming the country into one of the great powers of Europe. Catherine II - Samantha Spiro Paul I - Kenneth Collard Peter III - Anton Lesser Petya - Joe Sims Panin - Robert Blythe Grigory Orlov - David Sturzaker Pugachev - Simon Ludders Praskovya - Sanchia MacCormack The Midwife - Georgie Glen Alexander - Joel MacCormack The Councillor - Finlay Robertson Producers: Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko Samantha Spiro is Catherine the Great in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. |
| 02 | Alexander I: Into The Woods | 20170507 | 20170513 (R4) | Alexander never wanted to be Tsar. Before his accession he told friends that he hoped to retire into private life abroad. Life, however, had other plans. Starting with his own father's ill-fated reign, and his subsequent murder. How complicit was Alexander in all of this? And then came the greatest threat Russia had ever seen: the new French Emperor. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues with the story of Alexander I, the Tsar who took on Napoleon Bonaparte and won. Alexander I - Joel MacCormack Pavel I - Kenneth Collard Petya - Joe Sims Napoleon - Charlie Anson Arakcheyev - Nathaniel Martello-White Elizabeth - Maeve Bluebell Wells Katya - Sarah Ridgeway Pahlen - David Sturzaker Sperensky - Simon Ludders Talleyrand - Robert Blythe Bennigsen - Finlay Robertson The French Actor - Tom Forrister Director Sasha Yevtushenko |
| 03 | Alexander Ii: The People's Will | 20170514 | 20170520 (R4) | In 1861, Alexander II liberated 23 million Russian serfs, four years earlier than the abolition of slavery in the USA. But 20 years later, the tide of revolutionary thinking is rising and dissatisfaction with the regime has led to terrorist cells making several assassination attempts on the Tsar's life. One cell in particular, The People's Will, is determined to succeed this time but in the struggle between autocracy and radical socialism there can be only one winner. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars continues. Alexander - Joseph Millson Dvorzhitsky - Kenneth Cranham Sofia - Alexandra Roach Petya - Joe Sims Nesselrode - Michael Bertenshaw Grinevitsky - Tom Forrister Kostya - Philip Fox Rysakov - John Norton Katya - Joanna van Kampen Perovsky - Simon Ludders Sasha - Samuel James Director Alison Hindell A BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2017. Joseph Millson plays Alexander II in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars. |