Shardlake: The Complete BBC Radio Collection

Six BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisations

By: CJ Sansom

Narrated by: full cast, Jason Watkins, Justin Salinger, Bryan Dick, Mark Bonnar, Robert Glenister, Sam Dale, Sean Baker, Emily Wachter, Jessica Hardwick

The complete collected dramatisations of C. J. Sansom's historical mystery series.

Set during the reign of Henry VIII, these six stunning dramas follow the adventures of hunchbacked lawyer-detective Matthew Shardlake as he navigates the dangerous world of Tudor England, solving crimes and seeking out murderers.

Dissolution - Winter, 1537. When a king's commissioner is brutally murdered at Scarnsea monastery, Thomas Cromwell sends Shardlake to investigate. Can he catch the killer before he strikes again?

Dark Fire - Summer, 1540, and Shardlake is embroiled in two urgent cases: tracking down a batch of Greek Fire, an ancient weapon of mass destruction, and defending an orphan girl accused of murder. Accompanied by Cromwell's man, Barak, he must race against time to save Elizabeth's life - and Cromwell's skin.

Sovereign - Autumn, 1541. As the king embarks on a Royal Progress to York, Shardlake and Barak arrive in the city on a secret mission for Archbishop Cranmer. But soon they are caught up in a murder investigation - and a daring plot to bring down the royal family....

Revelation - Spring, 1543. With London rocked by religious turmoil, Shardlake must complete two vital assignments: help a teenage boy imprisoned in Bedlam for his heretical ravings, and prevent a serial killer from completing his unholy mission.

Heartstone - Summer, 1545, and Shardlake and Barak are drawn into two murky mysteries: one involving 'monstrous wrongs' committed against a ward of the court, the other involving the troubled past of Bedlam inmate Ellen Fettiplace. Meanwhile, across the Channel, the French fleet is preparing to attack....

Lamentation - 1546. Henry VIII lies dying, and his Protestant and Catholic factions are vying for power. As heretics are burned at the stake, the Queen rashly decides to write a compromising confessional book - and when it is stolen, she turns to Shardlake. His investigations lead him from London's backstreet print shops to the heart of the royal court....

Jason Watkins and Justin Salinger star as Shardlake, with Bryan Dick as Barak, Mark Bonnar and Robert Glenister as Cromwell, Sam Dale and Sean Baker as Cranmer and Emily Wachter and Jessica Hardwick as Queen Catherine Parr.

Written by C. J. Sansom.

Dramatised by Colin MacDonald.

Produced and directed by Kirsteen Cameron, David Jackson Young and Bruce Young.

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

unique

Outstanding performances bring these stories to life. If you've seen Six, the musical, you might wonder which Katherine Parr is accurate, the virtuous queen portrayed here or the wild child in Six.

Can’t wait for the last one!

I really enjoyed this BBC radio collection of the Shardlake series. CJ Sansom‘s Shardlake series of books is my absolute favorite and I was thrilled to see that the BBC had put them on the radio. All we need now is for the BBC to make it into a mini series and it will be complete! I was a little disappointed that only six of the books were covered. The last one he wrote, Tombland, was not included. Maybe it will be in the future?

Love this series

I've loved this series from start to finish and I truly hope that "Tombland" gets similar treatment as an audio mystery drama!!

Gripping and well realized

Shardlake is a totally compelling character: a complex man who yet possesses the only real morality in a wickedly fun world of court intrigue, delinquent abbeys, Bedlam and heresy.

I feel like I sort of lived through the Protestant revolution (in England) by listening to this. I mean this as a compliment.

Also ! An incredible cast and production. Great sound design.

Not totally sure about the depiction of gay / lgbtq characters. There is a cool trans Joan-of-arc-like soldier.

Overall - very fun mystery thriller!

Great production

This was a great production. The BBC radio play elements added a great deal to the already masterful storytelling.

when you work from home

doing mindless dribble this helps yo pass the time whilst keeling your ADHD brain occupied.

Interesting and terrible time to be alive

Bought and read books as I listen to stories, which were remarkably easy to follow. The description of the political and religious actions, the environment in which people endured, although in a fictional book, was based on historic activities. Hard to imagine existing at time.

Worth the Credit

Beautiful voice acting & sound engineering. Similar to The Name of the Rose. I hope they adapt the latest book