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Episode 1

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4 Extra Debut. The story of the fortunes and misfortunes of the lusty and resourceful 18th century heroine. Stars Jessica Hynes and Ben Miles.

Daniel Defoe, once more in need of ready money, finds inspiration for a new book when he meets Elizabeth Atkins in Newgate gaol.

She tells him her stranger-than-fiction story; of how she was born in prison to a petty thief and of how she loved and bargained her way from rags to riches, from prostitution in the streets of London to prosperity on a Virginia plantation, and then lost it all again.

Defoe interprets it all in his characteristic manner, blending fact with fiction, and re-inventing his interlocutor as the lusty and resourceful Moll Flanders.

Dramatised in two parts by Nick Perry who plays fast and loose with this 18th century classic, melding fiction and reality in a manner inspired by Daniel Defoe.

Moll Flanders ...... Jessica Hynes
Daniel Defoe ...... Ben Miles
Mr Mist ...... Brian Protheroe
Lady Cholmondley ...... Elizabeth Bennett
Jemmy ...... Blake Ritson
Nurse ...... Claire Perkins
Young Moll ...... Alex Jarett
Rob ...... Nick Underwood
Lucy ...... Kirsty Oswald
John ...... Tom Forrister
Robin ...... Sam Rix
Gaoler ...... Sean Baker

Harpsichord played by Peter Ringrose.

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko.

First broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in July 2016.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 13 May 2020 03:00

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Credits

Role Contributor
Moll Flanders Jessica Hynes
Daniel Defoe Ben Miles
Mr Mist Brian Protheroe
Lady Cholmondley Elizabeth Bennett
Jemmy Blake Ritson
Nurse Claire Perkins
Young Moll Alex Jarett
Rob Nick Underwood
Lucy Kirsty Oswald
John Tom Forrister
Robin Sam Rix
Gaoler Sean Baker
Author Daniel Defoe
Adaptor Nick Perry
Director Sasha Yevtushenko

Broadcasts

  • Sat 9 Jul 2016 14:30
  • Sat 20 Jan 2018 14:30
  • Tue 12 May 2020 10:00
  • Tue 12 May 2020 15:00
  • Wed 13 May 2020 03:00

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