Bernardine Evaristo: A BBC Radio Collection

Synopsis

Full-cast dramatisations and original plays and stories from the award-winning author.Bernardine Evaristo won the Booker Prize 2019 with her novel, Girl, Woman, Other and the one-off Women's Prize Outstanding Contribution Award in 2025. The author of ten books, her 2013 novel Mr Loverman was adapted into a BBC 1 drama series in 2024, winning two BAFTAS. She has received over 90 awards and honours and is Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University of London. Featured here are some of her most innovative works, as well as an illuminating documentary about her life and career.The Emperor’s Babe – Set in AD 211, this drama adaptation of Evaristo’s 2001 verse novel, follows Zuleika, of Nubian heritage, who grows up wild and adventurous in Roman London and has a dangerous affair with the Roman emperor, Septimius SeverusHello Mum – Fourteen-year-old Jerome grows up on a rough housing estate and makes a mistake that has disastrous consequences. Now he needs his mother to understand why - and what the world looks like through his eyes. A powerful tale adapted from Evaristo’s 2010 novellaMadam Bitterfly and the Stockwell Diva - Feisty South Londoner, Charmayne, is determined to make it big in Hollywood – no matter what it takes…A wickedly comical take on the hierarchy of colour, told in verseMedea – Mapping the Edge – Three writers: Amanda Dalton, Alison Fell and Evaristo, wrote three versions of the Medea myth featuring characters from Greece, Yemen and Yorkshire, which were integrated into a stunning and unique single drama. Originally staged as a promenade theatre production by Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, with WilsonWilson Company. Dalton adapted it for radioOn Top of the World – A woman's feelings of alienation and isolation lead her to the frozen landscape of the beautiful ArcticLondon Choral Celestial Jazz – Bernardine Evaristo reads her own experimental verse short story, inspired by Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, and featuring four very different Black women who navigate the high-octane, adrenaline-charged streets of contemporary LondonProfile: Bernardine Evaristo –A radio documentary about Bernardine Evaristo and her lifeOriginal Text copyright © Bernardine Evaristo 2001 (The Emperor’s Babe), 2003 (Madam Bitterfly and the Stockwell Diva), 2005 (On Top of the World), 2010 (Hello Mum), 2014 (London Choral Celestial Jazz), 2003 (Medea – Mapping the Edge) text copyright © Amanda Dalton, Alison Fell and Bernardine EvaristoContent Warning: contains strong language and deals with themes of racismWritten by Bernardine EvaristoThe Emperor’s BabeZuleika – Michelle AsanteFelix – Paul ChahidiAlba – Alex TregearValeria – Hannah WoodTranio – Rick WardenSeverus – Terence AndersonHello MumJerome – Anthony WelshAdrian/Boy – Damson IdrisKimisi – Nadine MarshallDelmar – Malachi KirbyKeith – Jude AkuwudikeDexter – Alex Lanipekunwith Robert Blythe, Joe SimsMadam Bitterfly and the Stockwell DivaCharmayne – Petra LetangSonia – Sharon Duncan-BrewsterHortense – Dona CrollRhona – Stephanie TurnerKeisha – Clare PerkinsPrincipal – Martin HyderMedea – Mapping the EdgeMildred – June BroughtonYoung Mildred – Tassia MessimerisJamal – Sushil ChudasamaGerald – Martin PirongsNadia – Sara PowellJason – Danny SewardMaddy – Lexi StraussTexan – Deka WalmsleyNarrator – David FleeshmanOn Top of the WorldRead by Adjoa AndohLondon Choral Celestial JazzRead by Bernardine EvaristoProfile: Bernardine Evaristo© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd