Arthur

Ben Whishaw and Philip Glenister star in these six plays telling the story of the fabled 5th Century king. Britain, 493 AD. When 17-year-old stable boy Arran is visited by Merlin, he is forced to confront his true origins and seize his destiny. Pulling the sword from the stone, he is proclaimed King Arthur – but the tribal leaders refuse to acknowledge him, and the country is plunged into civil war. With Merlin’s help, Arthur travels to the Sacred Grove, where the Lady of the Lake presents him with the magical sword Excalibur. Seven years later, Arthur holds court at Camelot, ruling as King with his Queen, Gwenfar, by his side. The kingdom is at peace – but this fragile stability cannot last, and Arthur’s attempts to usher in a new golden age are thwarted by rebellion, betrayal, treason and his own fatal human weakness… Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Steve May, these gripping plays take in all the famous Arthurian legends, from Lanslot’s tryst with Gwenfar to the quest for the Holy Grail. Ben Whishaw and Philip Glenister star as Arthur, with Ian McDiarmid as Merlin, Jane Lapotaire as Morgan, Eve Myles as Gwenfar and Andrew Scarborough as Lanslot. Production credits Written by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Steve May Directed by Gordon House Produced by Gordon House and Jeremy Mortimer Music by Zbigniew Preisner, with additional music by Lucinda Mason Brown Cast Morgan – Jane Lapotaire Arthur – Ben Whishaw/Philip Glenister Merlin – Ian McDiarmid Young Morgan – Eve Best Gaura – Pam Ferris Ector – James Laurenson Keir – Nicholas Boulton Bryce – Christian Rodska Kerwyn/Vespan – Stephen Hogan Soldiers – Damian Lynch, Robert Hastie & Jason Chan Bedvere – Shaun Dooley Lot – Clive Russell Rhyannon – Emily Wachter Aidan – Phillip Fox Young Gwenfar – Alice Ford Gwenfar – Eve Myles Leodegrance – Phillip Joseph Bors/Servant – Robert Hastie Maura – Alex Tregear Lanslot – Andrew Scarborough Elaine – Kaye Wragg King Pellyn – Gerard McDermott Mordred – Stuart McLoughlin Galhot – Liam Garrlgan Ossa – Damian Lynch First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 October-26 November 2004 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd