Ovid’s Modern Metamorphoses

Synopsis

Ten contemporary reimaginings of Ovid’s iconic tales, with star-studded casts including Toby Jones, Shaun Dooley and Robert GlenisterThe Roman love poet Ovid has influenced writers past and present, with his witty, sexy tales inspiring authors from Shakespeare to Ezra Pound. Included here are ten scintillating retellings that take a fresh look at his classic works, viewing these ancient stories from a modern perspective.New Metamorphoses, themed around the topics of desire, seduction and transformation:In Zeus and Semele, by Sebastian Baczkiewicz, paparazzo Harry gets in over his head when he is welcomed into the glamorous world he feeds on.And in Hattie Naylor’s Echo and Narcissus, Mat joins a gym, while Debbie becomes mesmerised by the boy across the road.Myrrah by Colin Teevan sees a teenage girl gripped by a terrible passion,and in Callisto by Nick Warburton, a photographer faces a dilemma when he captures a photo he never intended to take.Meanwhile, Phaethon by Katie Hims revolves around a family reunion and a promise that cannot be broken…Transformations continues with the leitmotifs of fluidity, change and the different aspects of love:Ceyx and Alcyone centres on the King of Trachis, who is determined to travel by ship to visit the Oracle. But the winds at sea are capricious and cruel, and a storm is coming…Pygmalion tells of a sculptor who, alone and broken, becomes enamoured of one of his own statues. Will the goddess of love be kind, and bring her to life?In Orpheus and Eurydice, when his beloved wife is killed by a snake, Orpheus travels to the realm of the dead in a desperate bid to bring her back.Byblis and Cannus sees a young girl falling hopelessly in love with her own brother…And in Baucis and Philemon, an elderly couple find their lives changed when they receive two unexpected guests.And two bonus programmes: In Our Time: Ovid and Ovid: Changing Times.With thanks to Keith Wickham of the Radio Circle for supplying the audio recordings.Cast and CreditsZeus and SemeleStarring Toby Jones, Daniel Cerqueira, Robert Glenister, Lyndsey Marshal, Peter MannWritten by Sebastian BaczkiewiczProduced and directed by Jessica DrumgooleEcho and NarcissusStarring Toby Jones, Carl Prekopp, Laura Molyneux, Burn Gorman, Harry Myers, Deborah Findlay, Gbemisola IkumeloWritten by Hattie NaylorProduced and directed by Sasha YevtushenkoMyrrhaStarring Toby Jones, Gerard McSorley, Marcella Plunkett, Niall Buggy, Derbhle Crotty, Jonathan Forbes, Ben Crowe, Chris Pavlo, Liz Sutherland, Peter Marinker, Kate BinchyWritten by Colin TeevanProduced and directed by Jeremy MortimerCallistoStarring Shaun Dooley, Joannah Tincey, Rachel Atkins, John Rowe, Anna Bengo, Ben OnwukweWritten by Nick WarburtonProduced and directed by Tracey NealePhaethonStarring Toby Jones, Rosie Cavaliero, Vincenzo Nicoli, Paul Hilton, Steven Webb, Robert Madge, Liza SadovyWritten by Katie HimsProduced and directed by Marc BeebyTransformationsWritten by Lucy CatherineDirected by Marc BeebyStarring Jim NortonCeyx and AlcyoneFeaturing Clare Corbett, Philip Bretherton, Neil McCaul, Isabella Inchbald, Tayla Kovacevi-Ebong, Abby AndrewsPygmalionFeaturing Rupert Holliday Evans, Gary Duncan, Abbie Andrews, Isabella InchbaldOrpheus and EurydiceFeaturing Tom Forrister, Madeline Hatt, Neil McCaul, Philip Bretherton, Isabella Inchbald, Clive HaywardByblis and CannusFeaturing Abbie Andrews, Adam Fitzgerald, Isabella Inchbald, Ellie Darvill, Kath WeareBaucis and PhilemonFeaturing Sheila Reid, John Rowe, Clive Hayward, Tayla Kovacevi-EbongIn Our Time: OvidPresented by Melvyn BraggWith Maria Wyke, Gail Trimble and Dunstan LoweProduced by Simon TillotsonOvid: Changing TimesPresented by Tom HollandProduced by Mark Rickards© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd