The Egoist & The Adventures of Harry Richmond

Synopsis

BBC Radio 4 adaptations of George Meredith’s classic tragicomic novel and his picaresque romantic comedyNovelist and poet George Meredith is widely regarded as the last great Victorian author. He influenced writers including Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson and Henry James, and was nominated for the Nobel Prize seven times. This BBC collection features dramatisations of his most famous novel, The Egoist, and his witty bildungsroman The Adventures of Harry Richmond.The Egoist – Self-absorbed aristocrat Sir Willoughby Patterne wants a wife – and naturally assumes that whoever he chooses will want him. But when his chosen fiancée, Constantia, elopes, he is forced to look for another potential bride. Torn between the sentimental Laetitia and the strong-willed Clara, he finally pins one down to an engagement – only to find that she, too, has doubts… James Wilby stars as Sir Willoughby, with Keeley Hawes as Clara, in this satirical look at the Victorian marriage market.The Adventures of Harry Richmond – On a cold morning in February 1846, Richmond Roy arrives at Riversley Grange to claim his infant son, Harry, from the child’s grandfather, Squire Beltham. It is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery for the young boy, as he is rescued and abandoned by his charismatic father, escapes from a London boarding school, embarks on a Grand Tour of Europe and succumbs to the charms of a German princess… This lively coming-of-age tale stars James Aubrey, Anthony Newlands, Sebastian Shaw, Gina Bellman, Joanna David and Maev Alexander.First published 1871 (The Adventures of Harry Richmond), 1879 (The Egoist)Production creditsWritten by George MeredithThe EgoistSir Willoughby – James WilbyClara Middleton – Keeley HawesMrs Mountstuart-Jenkinson – Hannah GordonLaetitia Dale – Nickie RainsfordVernon Witford – Simon LuddersHorace de Craye – Robert PattersonDr Middleton – Bill WallisCrossjay – Leo BrightmoreLady Busshe – Lawmary ChampionLady Culmer – Christine PritchardConstantia – Anna NorthDr Corney – Giles ThomasLady Patterne – June BarrieMr Dale – Paul NicholsonCrossjay – Leo BrightmoreDramatised by Jane DaunceyDirected by Alison HindellFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-3 May 1998The Adventures of Harry RichmondHarry Richmond – James AubreySewis – Brian CarrollRichmond Roy – Anthony NewlandsSquire Beltham – Sebastian ShawHarry, as a boy – Howard TaylorAunt Dorothy – Gwen WatfordJanet, as a girl – Katherines HughesTemple, as a boy – David WilsonFlo – Jacqui BurinAmy – Jo Manning WilsonJoe Double – Ronald BaddileyCapt Welsh – Haydn JonesClara Goodwin – Roberta SymesColonel Goodwin – Garard GreenOttilia, as a girl – Gina BellmanThe Margravine von Rippau – Brenda BruceBurgomeister – Milo SperberMiss Sibley/Frau von Dittmarsch – Elaine MitchellPrincess Ottilia – Joanna DavidMrs Waddy – Margot BoydCaptain de Witt – Michael DeaconLady Wilts – Petra DaviesAnna Penrhys – Liza FlanaganJanet Ilchester – Maev AlexanderMr Burgin – James ThomasonMr Peterborough – Jonathan ScottBaroness Turckems – Hilda KrisemanPrince Ernest – George PravdaProfessor von Karsteg – Steve PlytasPrince Otto – Philip SullyLieschen – Tammy UstinovCountess Czezedy – Eva StuartKiomi/Lady Sampleman – Josie KiddAugustus Temple – John BullMarquis of Edbury – David McAlisterYachtsman – Gregory de PolnayAdapted by D.G. BridsonDirected by John CardyFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 June-15 July 1979© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd