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 Augustus History of the Roman Imperial dynasty. Young Claudius grows up in a turbulent household. 2/6 Tiberius Discovering his grandmother Livia's true ambition, Claudius and his brother face danger. 3/6 Sejanus Tiberius finds his commander of the guard an invaluable aide against treason. 4/6 Caligula The new and popular emperor Caligula has some surprises for his uncle Claudius. 5/6 Claudius How the Sibyl's prophecy came true, for the most unwilling emperor of them all. 6/6 Messalina Claudius works to restore the republic, but his beautiful wife Messalina has other plans. Claudius - Tom Goodman-hill Augustus - Derek Jacobi Livia - Harriet Walter Tiberius - Tim Mcinnerny Julia - Alison Pettitt Athenodorus - Sam Dale Cato - Jude Akuwudike Thrasyllus - Sean Baker Young Claudius - Harvey Allpress Young Herod - Felix Zadek-Ewing Young Germanicus - Harry Child Camilla - Lauren Mote Young Postumus - Ryan Watson Young Livilla - Holly Gibbs Caligula - Samuel Barnett Sejanus - Sam Dale Agrippina - Hattie Morahan Antonia - Christine Kavanagh Livilla - Leah Brotherhead Pallas - Lloyd Thomas The Fisherman - Adeel Akhtar Macro - Tony Bell Calpurnia - Sally Orrock Plautius - Jude Akuwudike Cremutius - Sean BakerOfficer - Iain Batchelor Senator - Henry Devas Plancina - Claire Harry Aelia - Deeivya Meir Drusilla - Deeivya Meir Macro - Tony Bell Agrippinilla - Claire Harry Thrasyllus - Sean Baker Doctor - Adeel Akhtar Gaoler - Iain Batchelor Senator - Lloyd Thomas Herod Agrippa - Zubin Varla Messalina - Jessica Raine Cassius Chaerea - Jude Akuwudike Gratus - Sam Dale Cornelius - Iain Batchelor Bassus - Lloyd Thomas Asiaticus - Sean Baker Lupus - Henry Devas Sentius - Tony Bell The Executioner - Adeel Akhtar Burrhus - Jude Akuwudike Britannicus - Ryan Watson Euodus - Adeel Akhtar Asiaticus - Sean Baker Frontinus - Tony Bell Tacitus - Sam Dale Callistus - Henry Devas Soldier - Iain Batchelor Specially composed music by David Pickvance. Directed by Jonquil Panting.