The Betrothed

A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation

By: Alessandro Manzoni

Narrated by: Hiftu Quasem, Ian Dunnett Jnr, Paul Higgins, Joel MacCormack, Owen Whitelaw, Maureen Beattie, Ewan Bailey, Jonathan Forbes, Sandy Grierson, Chloe Pirrie, Tunji Kasim, full cast

A full-cast dramatisation of Italy’s iconic novel

The Betrothed is a sweeping epic, packed with the passion of Les Misérables, the power of War and Peace and the action of Ivanhoe. Set in 17th century Italy, this is the ultimate story of love, faith, justice and power.

Engaged couple, Renzo and Lucia must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to be together. Lombardy, their region of northern Italy, is under Spanish occupation, and when the Spaniard Don Rodrigo blocks their union, in an attempt to have Lucia for himself, the couple are forced to resist his plots. Their love is thwarted at every turn by the hazards of war, bread riots and the machinations of a nameless crime lord. This gripping listen chronicles their unforgettable romance through tyranny, war, famine and plague. Renzo and Lucia are tested again and again, but can their union endure? Performed by a full cast, this stunning saga is masterfully brought to life and available to download for the first time as a complete listen.

First published in 1827 as I Promessi Sposi, this icon of Italian literature as well as the country’s most popular novel, has never been out of print. Groundbreaking in its day, and hugely influential to succeeding generations, Alessandro Manzoni’s masterpiece has long been considered one of Italy’s national treasures. It is so integral to contemporary Italian culture every schoolchild reads it to this day. If you liked Les Misérables, War and Peace or Ivanhoe, then you will love The Betrothed. This is a must listen for any fan of classical literature. The Betrothed is a story that has, thought the centuries, been celebrated by writers, artists and composers such as Verdi, Primo Levi, Natalia Ginzburg, Umberto Eco and Pope Francis.

A bona fide canonical classic hiding in plain sight - The Wall Street Journal

Cast and credits

Written by Alessandro Manzoni

Adapted by Eileen Horne

Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane

Lucia - Hiftu Quasem
Renzo - Ian Dunnett Jnr
Father Abbondio - Paul Higgins
Gabriel/Servant Boy - Joel Maccormack
Griso/Officer - Owen Whitelaw
Nibbio/Ambrogio - Tunji Kasim
Agnese - Maureen Beattie
Brother Cristoforo - Ewan Bailey
Nameless /Old Friar - Jonathan Forbes
Rodrigo/Boss/Boatman/Traveller - Sandy Grierson
Gertrude/Gilda - Chloe Pirrie

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 5th - 12th November 2023

©2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd