I, Claudius

This is a BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Robert Graves' brilliant account of the madness and debauchery of ancient Rome - one of the most gripping historical novels ever written. The wickedly entertaining inside story of the lives and deaths of the Imperial dynasty from Augustus to Caligula, is told by their obscure relation, Claudius. In public, Claudius is a stammering, drooling weakling, whose reputation as an idiot keeps him safe from office and assassination. But in private, he's as sharp as they come, and keeps a secret history of everything he discovers. Until one day, as one of the few of his family left alive, he's acclaimed Emperor against his will. Can he save Rome from the corruption he's grown to detest?1/6 AugustusHistory of the Roman Imperial dynasty. Young Claudius grows up in a turbulent household. 2/6 TiberiusDiscovering his grandmother Livia's true ambition, Claudius and his brother face danger. 3/6 SejanusTiberius finds his commander of the guard an invaluable aide against treason. 4/6 CaligulaThe new and popular emperor Caligula has some surprises for his uncle Claudius. 5/6 ClaudiusHow the Sibyl's prophecy came true, for the most unwilling emperor of them all. 6/6 MessalinaClaudius works to restore the republic, but his beautiful wife Messalina has other plans. Claudius - Tom Goodman-hillAugustus - Derek JacobiLivia - Harriet WalterTiberius - Tim McinnernyJulia - Alison PettittAthenodorus - Sam DaleCato - Jude AkuwudikeThrasyllus - Sean BakerYoung Claudius - Harvey AllpressYoung Herod - Felix Zadek-EwingYoung Germanicus - Harry ChildCamilla - Lauren MoteYoung Postumus - Ryan WatsonYoung Livilla - Holly GibbsCaligula - Samuel BarnettSejanus - Sam DaleAgrippina - Hattie MorahanAntonia - Christine KavanaghLivilla - Leah BrotherheadPallas - Lloyd ThomasThe Fisherman - Adeel AkhtarMacro - Tony BellCalpurnia - Sally OrrockPlautius - Jude AkuwudikeCremutius - Sean BakerOfficer - Iain BatchelorSenator - Henry DevasPlancina - Claire HarryAelia - Deeivya MeirDrusilla - Deeivya MeirMacro - Tony BellAgrippinilla - Claire HarryThrasyllus - Sean BakerDoctor - Adeel AkhtarGaoler - Iain BatchelorSenator - Lloyd ThomasHerod Agrippa - Zubin VarlaMessalina - Jessica RaineCassius Chaerea - Jude AkuwudikeGratus - Sam DaleCornelius - Iain BatchelorBassus - Lloyd ThomasAsiaticus - Sean BakerLupus - Henry DevasSentius - Tony BellThe Executioner - Adeel AkhtarBurrhus - Jude AkuwudikeBritannicus - Ryan WatsonEuodus - Adeel AkhtarAsiaticus - Sean BakerFrontinus - Tony BellTacitus - Sam DaleCallistus - Henry DevasSoldier - Iain BatchelorSpecially composed music by David Pickvance.Directed by Jonquil Panting.