God’s Revolution

An epic 12-part drama about the events leading up to, and following, the execution of King Charles I 'Classy writing... wonderfully crisp, with a brilliant cast' The Spectator England, 1647. Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army has routed the Royalists, and the King, having fled to Scotland, has been ransomed, sent back across the border and imprisoned. It seems the war is over, but there is trouble ahead. Parliament wants to disband the army and install its own militia - an act that looks, to Cromwell's loyal soldiers, like outright betrayal. As dissent grows within the ranks, agitators such as Francis White and John Reynolds, and leading Leveller John Lilburne, step up to speak for the common man. What began with a dispute over army demobilisation soon becomes far more, and a radical faction arises demanding freedom, equality and power to the people. But for Cromwell and his Commander-in-Chief, Thomas Fairfax, this is a challenge to Parliament's authority, and smacks of revolution. Facing a schism within the army, Cromwell is torn - but when the King escapes from custody, he and his troops have a new threat to deal with... Meanwhile, the women at home have troubles of their own. Clever, independent Penelope White is subject to the whims of her intransigent father, who wants her to marry a man of his choosing. And Lilburne's wife, Elizabeth, must risk her life each time she smuggles forbidden political papers into his cell in the Tower of London. As their men prepare to fight once more, what does the future hold for them? Set between the pivotal years of 1647 and 1649, this classic Civil War drama stars Bernard Hepton as Cromwell, Nigel Anthony as Fairfax, Graham Blockey as Francis White, Christian Rodska as Lilburne, William Eedle as Charles I, Deborah Makepeace as Penelope and Maureen O'Brien as Elizabeth. Cast and credits Written by Don Taylor God's Revolution Lord General Fairfax - Nigel Anthony John Church - Eric Allan Francis White - Graham Blockey Charles I/Lieut. Colonel Jackson/Cornet Denne - William Eedle Oliver Cromwell - Bernard Hepton Stephen White - David March John Reynolds - Kim Wall John Lilburne - Christian Rodska James Thompson - Simon Cuff Miles Sindercombe/Col. Rainsborough/Sir William Waller/Morrison - John Baddeley Corporal Perkins/Silent soldier/Simeon/Joseph/Winstanley/Brother Gerard - Steve Hodson Colonel James/Lockyer/Major General Skippon/Huntingdon - Peter Craze Edmund White/Major Gooday/Col. Scroop - Cornelius Garrett Penelope White - Deborah Makepeace Elizabeth Lilburne - Maureen O'Brien William Thompson/Captain Musket - Anthony Jackson Commissary Ireton - Bill Wallis Edward Sexby/Col. Whalley - John Hartoch Lady Anne Fairfax - Lin Sagovsky Cornet Joyce/Everard - Jonathan Nibbs Betty - Zelah Clarke Mrs Cromwell/Martha- June Barrie John Lilburne - Christian Rodska Beggar woman - June Tobin John Wildman - Stephen Rashbrook Robin - Elizabeth Lindsay Isaac - Christopher Asante Capt. Hatton - Alan Coveney Pride - Norman Eshley Mary Overton - Barbara Kellermann Mrs Chidley - Ellen Dryden Barry - Paul Sirr Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin and Ronald Mason Psalms arranged by Blaise Compton First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 October-23 December 1988 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd