The Egoist & The Adventures of Harry Richmond

BBC Radio 4 adaptations of George Meredith’s classic tragicomic novel and his picaresque romantic comedy Novelist 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 credits Written by George Meredith The Egoist Sir Willoughby – James Wilby Clara Middleton – Keeley Hawes Mrs Mountstuart-Jenkinson – Hannah Gordon Laetitia Dale – Nickie Rainsford Vernon Witford – Simon Ludders Horace de Craye – Robert Patterson Dr Middleton – Bill Wallis Crossjay – Leo Brightmore Lady Busshe – Lawmary Champion Lady Culmer – Christine Pritchard Constantia – Anna North Dr Corney – Giles Thomas Lady Patterne – June Barrie Mr Dale – Paul Nicholson Crossjay – Leo Brightmore Dramatised by Jane Dauncey Directed by Alison Hindell First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-3 May 1998 The Adventures of Harry Richmond Harry Richmond – James Aubrey Sewis – Brian Carroll Richmond Roy – Anthony Newlands Squire Beltham – Sebastian Shaw Harry, as a boy – Howard Taylor Aunt Dorothy – Gwen Watford Janet, as a girl – Katherines Hughes Temple, as a boy – David Wilson Flo – Jacqui Burin Amy – Jo Manning Wilson Joe Double – Ronald Baddiley Capt Welsh – Haydn Jones Clara Goodwin – Roberta Symes Colonel Goodwin – Garard Green Ottilia, as a girl – Gina Bellman The Margravine von Rippau – Brenda Bruce Burgomeister – Milo Sperber Miss Sibley/Frau von Dittmarsch – Elaine Mitchell Princess Ottilia – Joanna David Mrs Waddy – Margot Boyd Captain de Witt – Michael Deacon Lady Wilts – Petra Davies Anna Penrhys – Liza Flanagan Janet Ilchester – Maev Alexander Mr Burgin – James Thomason Mr Peterborough – Jonathan Scott Baroness Turckems – Hilda Kriseman Prince Ernest – George Pravda Professor von Karsteg – Steve Plytas Prince Otto – Philip Sully Lieschen – Tammy Ustinov Countess Czezedy – Eva Stuart Kiomi/Lady Sampleman – Josie Kidd Augustus Temple – John Bull Marquis of Edbury – David McAlister Yachtsman – Gregory de Polnay Adapted by D.G. Bridson Directed by John Cardy First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3 June-15 July 1979 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd