Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 06 | In The Beginning | 20160106 | Heaven and her slave companion find themselves prisoners of a nomadic tribe in the desert. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 01 | 07 | A Tale Of Two Cities | 20160113 | While the sultan dreams of victory, Gregor is in pursuit of missing slave girl Sarah. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 01 | 08 | The Purge | 20160120 | Increasingly insecure and fearful for his life, the sultan begins a purge of the palace. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 01 | 09 | Jaws Of Victory | 20160127 | Convinced of victory by the prophet child, the sultan is ready to destroy Maya. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 01 | 10 | Sword Of Faith | 20160203 | The people of Tumanbay await news of the sultan's great victory. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 01 | The Last Boat | 20170425 | As refugees scramble to escape the city, Gregor swears an oath to the new rulers. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 02 | The Kill | 20170502 | Under the rule of the followers of Maya, Tumanbay has become a place of fear. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 03 | Rats | 20170509 | Gregor's niece Manel is sent by her rebel comrades into the desert on a mission to kill. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 04 | Healing The Sick | 20170516 | Slave trader Ibn seeks justice from the new regime's religious courts. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 05 | Kiss My Fingers | 20170523 | Threat of plague brings Barakat into conflict with Effendi Red. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 06 | Holy Father | 20170530 | Following a series of murders, Barakat's hold over Tumanbay is complete. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 07 | Take My Hand | 20170606 | Manel goes to the swamps in search of her enslaved father, General Qulan. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 02 | 08 | We Are Three | 20170613 | As the rebel army approaches the city, Gregor must confront the truth about his past. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 03 | 01 | Tree Of Sorrows | 20190204 | Tumanbay is recovering from a brutal occupation by the followers of Maya. Manel (Aiysha Hart), daughter of Tumanbay’s greatest commander, now sits on the throne. Her chief adviser and lover is the mysterious traveller Alkin (Nathalie Armin), who she once tried to kill. The city has been plundered for much of its wealth and, desperate for allies, a marriage has been arranged between Manel and Herod (Amir El-Masry), the feckless son of a powerful provincial governor. Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 03 | 02 | Two Moons | 20190211 | As Tumanbay prepares for a royal wedding, the return of a certain prominent palace official offers hope for new alliances. While the kite flyers of Tumanbay risk their lives for new adventure, Heaven (Olivia Popica), whose father was executed during the occupation, attempts to rebuild the family slave business and goes on a voyage to distant shores to purchase slaves, accompanied by one of her father’s business associates, the self-serving Bavand (Peter Polycarpou). Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 The return of a certain prominent palace official offers hope for new alliances. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 03 | 03 | The Blind Man | 20190218 | Weakened by occupation, an offer of friendship and protection comes from the Balarac, a formidable group of priest warriors led by the blind Grand Master Amalric (Anton Lesser). But protection comes at a price the city can ill-afford. While General Qulan leaves to build an army, in the palace Gregor (Rufus Wright), the Sultana’s chief spy-master, finds himself in a desperate struggle for power and influence with his adversaries - Alkin (Nathalie Armin) the Sultana’s confident and lover, and Cadali (Matthew Marsh) the ambitious ex-vizier. Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 Tumanbay faces a new enemy in the form of a formidable group of priest warriors. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 03 | 04 | Dark Enterprises | 20190225 | Having bought off the armies of the Balarac with its last reserves of gold, Tumanbay seems secure once more. But there is treachery lurking in the shadows in the form of Cadali, the recently returned vizier, who has his own ambitions to take over the empire. Meanwhile, the prophet boy Frog (Finn Elliot) is a stowaway on the Balarac’s ships, his mission to kill their leader, the blind Grand Master (Anton Lesser), who he believes is destined to harm the girl he loves. Heaven and Bavand, returning from a slave purchasing voyage, encounter a ship caught on the rocks. It is an encounter that will change Heaven’s fortunes. Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 Cadali, the recently returned vizier, begins a plot to take over the empire. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 03 | 05 | Accidental Hero | 20190304 | General Qulan (Christopher Fulford) travels to the provinces in the hope of raising an army to defend Tumanbay and encounters Fatima (Tara Fitzgerald), a provincial governor’s wife, who has a score to settle with the great commander. In Tumanbay, a coup is underway and Sultana Manel (Aiysha Hart) and her lover Alkin (Nathalie Armin) face a grim future. Meanwhile, the slave merchant Heaven (Olivia Popica), having been captured by the Balarac at sea, is recruited as reader to the blind Grand Master (Anton Lesser), a position that gives her access to ancient scrolls that appear to unlock profound secrets to the world. Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 A coup is underway and Sultana Manel and her lover Alkin face a grim future. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 03 | 06 | Fatima | 20190311 | The return of General Qulan (Christopher Fulford) with an army from the provinces offers hope of stability to the city recovering from a recent coup. But with it has come Herod’s ambitious mother, Fatima (Tara Fitzgerald), a new player in the fight for power. Meanwhile, the slave merchant Bavand (Peter Polycarpou) has found his way back to Tumanbay. With debts to pay, he turns to his one remaining asset, his daughter Matilla (Humera Syed). Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 The arrival of Herod's mother, Fatima, introduces a new player in the fight for power. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Cast: |
| 03 | 07 | Hostage Of Fortune | 20190318 | After his failed bid for power, Cadali (Matthew Marsh) flees across the desert with his son, Selim (Farshid Rokey) while Fatima, set on revenge for her murdered son, sends spymaster Gregor (Rufus Wright) to bring Cadali back. Meanwhile, the prophet boy Frog (Finn Elliot) has returned to the city and to the girl he loves, Matilla (Humera Syed) believing he has changed her fate. Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 After the failed coup, Fatima is set on revenge for her murdered son. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Cast: |
| 03 | 08 | The Coming | 20190325 | The eighth and final episode of series three. Matilla, having murdered her abusive husband returns with Frog to her family home to try to rescue her brother and escape the city. Meanwhile the treacherous Cadali (Matthew Marsh), now a captive of the priest-like Balarac, is returned to Tumanbay as a gift. As the city welcomes the Balarac in, a new uncomfortable alliance seems to be forming. Or is it a deadly game of deception? Cast: Tumanbay is created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt. Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 The Balarac return with a gift. A new uncomfortable alliance or a deadly game? Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Cast: |
| 04 | 01 | Palace Of The Blind | 20200525 | Series 4 of this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Once the greatest city on earth, Tumanbay has fallen into the hands of two opposing warlords: the Grand Master Amalric (Anton Lesser), leader of a fearsome religious order of knights; and Fatima (Kirsty Bushell), ambitious wife of a provincial governor who exerts total control over the weakened young Sultana Manel (Aiysha Hart). Manel’s uncle, the spymaster Gregor (Rufus Wright) has been banished to the furthest deserts, after having claimed to have seen the Sultana’s murdered lover, Alkin. Gregor is convinced Alkin’s return from the dead heralds the end for Tumanbay and he must do everything in his power to get back to save it. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 An audio drama on an epic scale. One empire, three rulers and a banished spymaster. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. An audio drama on an epic scale. One empire, three rulers and a banished spymaster. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 04 | 02 | Glass Souls | 20200601 | The world's greatest artist, the missing Hafiz, a deadly hobby. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. The great artist Piero has arrived from across the seas with his assistant Angel. He has been commissioned by the Empire’s self-styled “Queen Mother” Fatima (Kirsty Bushell) to create a great work glorifying her rule. But after a period of brutal occupation, Tumanbay is no longer the gleaming city it was - and tensions and suspicions abound. The blind Grand Master Amalric (Anton Lesser), leader of a fearsome religious order of knights, has his own plans for the city - plans that involve the religious figurehead, the Hafiz. But the Hafiz has gone missing. The only person who can find him is spymaster Gregor (Rufus Wright) who is languishing in the Palace of the Blind, a place in the desert where unwanted officials and rulers are exiled. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 The world's greatest artist, the missing Hafiz, a deadly hobby. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 04 | 03 | Pronounced 'a Killer' | 20200608 | Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright, Rob Jarvis and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. The artist Piero begins work on a great painting of Fatima, the self-styled Mother of the Empire. Meanwhile, his assistant Angel attempts to secure the promised payment for the commission and discovers all is not what it seems in Tumanbay. An assassin has arrived for another type of commission and takes up residence in the same lodging house as former spymaster Gregor who has returned to the city from exile. Frog and his friend Dumpy attempt to break Matila out of jail. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 An assassin, a bird in a cage, the spymaster's return. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. An assassin, a bird in a cage, the spymaster's return. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 04 | 04 | Feels Like Old Times | 20200615 | Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright, Rob Jarvis and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Having returned to the city, spymaster Gregor (Rufus Wright) rebuilds his network of informers, and sets about tracking down the missing Hafiz. In the palace, whilst Fatima (Kirsty Bushell) plots to extends her power, Sultana Manel (Aiysha Hart) has found a kindred spirit in the artist assistant Angel (Steffan Donnelly). Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 An investigation, a secret affair, a perfect murder. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. An investigation, a secret affair, a perfect murder. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 04 | 05 | The Watchers | 20200622 | Mother of the Empire, a hidden tunnel, the ancient garden. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright, Rob Jarvis and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Frustrated at the Balarac's continued presence in Tumanbay, Fatima (Kirsty Bushell) lays down a challenge to their leader, the blind Grand Master (Anton Lesser). Former spymaster, Gregor (Rufus Wright) is on the trail of the missing Hafiz with the help of talkative assassin, Aquila (Rob Jarvis). Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 Mother of the Empire, a hidden tunnel, the ancient garden. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. |
| 04 | 06 | Secret Garden | 20200629 | The riddle of the barber, poison times two, you remind me of my sister. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright, Rob Jarvis and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Convinced she has secured the Balarac’s withdrawal from the city, the murderous Fatima turns her attentions to the throne and how to get it. Meanwhile, Gregor (Rufus Wright) with the help of the Skyrats and his new side-kick, the assassin Aquila (Rob Jarvis), searches for a secret garden in the city where he believes the Hafiz may be hiding. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 |
| 04 | 07 | Menagerie Of All Life | 20200706 | The great wheel, dead and not dead, an unnatural wedding. Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. The murderous governor’s wife Fatima has taken control of the palace. The sultan Manel has been exiled to a madhouse in the desert. And former spymaster Gregor discovers a terrible secret in the passageways beneath the city about the worlds he lives in. Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright, Rob Jarvis and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 |
| 04 | 08 | The Fires | 20200713 | The city prepares for a spectacular celestial event – fires falling from the sky. While self-proclaimed Mother of the Empire, Fatima, sees it as an opportunity to glorify her new reign, for the Balarac it is the signal to enact a dreadful plan. Meanwhile Frog must save Matilla, the girl he loves, from the gallows and a prophesy that she will die at the hands of "the blind man". Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this gripping extended finale to this epic series from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden The tomb of the Martyrs, the gallows, the aqueduct\u2026 Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Series 4 conclusion of this engrossing, historical fantasy Epic saga by John Dryden and Mike Walker, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt. Anton Lesser, Aiysha Hart, Rufus Wright, Rob Jarvis and Kirsty Bushell lead an impressive ensemble cast in this engrossing, historical fantasy from creators John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker. Cast: Original Music by Sacha Puttnam Sound Design by Eloise Whitmore Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden A Goldhawk production for BBC Radio 4 |