Audiobooks by Mike Walker

Tumanbay: The Complete Series 1-4: The BBC Radio epic full-cast saga

An engrossing, expansive historical fantasy drama, inspired by the Mamluk slave dynasty of Egypt Tumanbay: the wealthiest city on earth. The beating heart of a vast empire. A city of dreams, where those who once arrived as slaves now hold power, and merchants, artists and warriors live side-by-side in peace. But this magnificent city is under threat. A rebellion in a far-off province, led by 'Queen' Maya, is gathering strength - and a mysterious force is devouring the empire from within. Gregor, a merciless spymaster and Master of the Palace Guard, is charged by Sultan Al-Ghuri to crush the insurgence, as his brother General Qulan is dispatched to quell the provincial insurrection. But as well as rooting out traitors, Gregor must contend with his arch-rival, the cunning Grand Vizier, Cadali. Meanwhile, Heaven, the 14-year-old daughter of slave merchant Ibn, is adrift at sea, captive to an escaped slave on whom she depends for her survival. Madu, the Sultan's spoilt nephew, also has to grow up quickly as he swaps palace life for the army... As the wheel of fate turns, Tumanbay's fortunes suffer a terrible reversal. Beset by plague, assassins, invasion, occupation and revolution, the once-great city is riven by political intrigue and power struggles. As rulers are toppled and tyrants fall, who will survive and thrive - and who will die? A Game of Thrones-style epic with the sweep of The Arabian Nights, this compelling story of love, revenge, betrayal and deception won the Best Audio Serial Gold Award at the New York Radio Festival. Among the impressive ensemble cast are Rufus Wright, Olivia Popica, Matthew Marsh, Alexander Siddig, John Sessions, Hiran Abeysekera, Aiysha Hart, Anton Lesser, Tara Fitzgerald, Enzo Cilenti and Rob Jarvis. Production credits Created by John Scott Dryden and Mike Walker and inspired by the Mamluk slave rulers of Egypt Written by John Scott Dryden, Mike Walker and Mac Rogers Directed by John Scott Dryden Produced by Emma Hearn, Nadir Khan and John Scott Dryden Original music by Sacha Puttnam Additional music by Jon Ouin Sound Design: Steve Bond, Jon Ouin and Eloise Whitmore Sound Recording by Joe Richardson and Laurence Farr Sound Edited by James Morgan and Andrea Gomez Editors: Ania Przygoda and James Morgan A Goldhawk Production for BBC Radio 4 © 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (p) 2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

John Dryden, Mike Walker (Author), Alexander Siddig, Anton Lesser, Danny Ashok, Full Cast, John L. Sessions, Matthew Marsh, Nabil Elouahabi, Olivia Popica, Raad Rawi, Rufus Wright (Narrator)

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George Orwell: A BBC Radio Collection: Including Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm and Other Dramas

A radio anthology of George Orwell’s finest work. Visionary author and journalist George Orwell was the man behind two of the best-loved and most influential novels of the 20th century: Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm. This collection celebrating his life and work features dramatisations of both these classic books, with stellar casts including Christopher Eccleston, Pippa Nixon, Tim Pigott-Smith, Tamsin Greig and Nicky Henson. Timeless examples of his essays and journalism are also showcased here, including ‘A Hanging’, ‘Confessions of a Book Reviewer’, ‘My Country Right or Left’, ‘Pleasure Spots’ and ‘As I Please’ (all read by Clive Merrison).

George Orwell, Jonathan Holloway, Mike Walker (Author), Christopher Eccleston, Clive Merrison, Joseph Milson, Lyndsey Marshal, Nicky Henson, Pippa Nixon, Samuel Barnett, Tamsin Greig, Tim Pigott-Smith, Toby Jones (Narrator)

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Caesar!

Nine BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas by Mike Walker, chronicling Rome's greatest rulers Drawing on historical sources including Suetonius's 'Lives of the Caesars', Mike Walker's compelling drama cycle follows the story of the leaders of Rome, from Julius Caesar's ascension to power to the collapse of the Roman Empire in the West in AD 475. Meeting at Formiae - Julius Caesar secretly seeks senate leaders Cicero and Cato's support to shake up the rule of Rome. Stars David Troughton as Caesar, Anton Lesser as Cicero and Stephen Critchlow as Cato. The Arena - As Julius's appointed heir, young Octavian uses his legendary political skills to outwit enemies and rule Rome. Starring Adam Levy as Octavian. Peeling Figs for Julius - His name is now a byword for depravity, but growing up in Tiberius's court, how evil was Emperor Caligula? Stars David Tennant as Caligula and Neil Dudgeon as Cassius Chaerea. The Best of Mothers - The murderous tale of Emperor Nero and his interfering mother Agrippina. Jonathan Forbes stars as Nero, with Frances Barber as Agrippina the Younger. The Glass Ball Game - The story of Emperor Hadrian and his relationship with Antinous, who died in mysterious circumstances. Starring Jonathan Hyde as Hadrian and Andrew Garfield as Antinous. Citizens in a Great City- Young Commodus buckles under the expectations put upon him by his father, the philosopher/emperor Marcus Aurelius. And Septimus Severus is called on to save the Empire from anarchy. Jim Sturgess stars as Commodus, with Ronald Pickup as Marcus Aurelius and Ray Fearon as Septimus Severus. Empress in the West- As the Roman Empire begins to fall apart, Victoria Poppea sees an opportunity to wield the power that her gender has always denied her. Stars Barbara Flynn as Victoria and Sam Troughton as Victorinus. The Maker of All Things- Constantine and Crispus are father and son - but can this indivisible bond survive politics? Sam Dale stars as Constantine the Great, with Joseph Kloska as Crispus. Empire Without End- With the Empire in the West under attack from Attila the Hun's forces, an unlikely coalition of kingmakers selects the last Roman emperor. Starring Tom Hiddleston as Romulus Augustus.

Mike Walker (Author), Andrew Garfield, Anton Lesser, David Tennant, David Troughton, Tom Hiddleston (Narrator)

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Dickens Confidential: The Complete Series 1-2

Charles Dickens was, for a time, editor of a daily newspaper. This series takes an imaginative look at how Dickens would have tackled bringing the news to the masses. We follow Dickens the editor as he contends with railway crashes, gory deaths in the River Thames, have his editorial judgement scrutinised, work with tyrannical landowners, enter the murky worlds of opium and prostitution, and most tragically of all, investigate a child's death. In he and his newspaper tackles financial plotting, encountering a young - and very secretive - Disraeli, and the prospect of war overseas. Originally broadcast in 2008 this complete BBC Radio collection stars Jamie Glover as Dickens in Series 1 and Dan Stevens as Dickens in Series 2. Also starring Jasmine Hyde, Eleanor Howell, Andrew Buchan, John Dougall, John Rowe and Gerard Murphy.

Mike Walker (Author), Dan Stevens, Full Cast, Jamie Glover, Jasmine Hyde (Narrator)

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The Biggest Secret: A BBC Radio 4 Drama

In the early hours of 5 June 1944, Captain Rob Collins played by Benedict Cumberbatch, who is languishing in hospital, receives a call that will take him on a journey through England that will change his life. Mike Walker's play is an epic journey across England poised on the edge of a historical moment. It is set on June 5th the day before the invasion. It is a portrait of England waiting for the invasion that will change the course of history, but an invasion only a very few know that is about happen. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliet Stevenson, and Claudia Harrison.

Mike Walker (Author), Benedict Cumberbatch, Claudia Harrison, Juliet Stevenson (Narrator)

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The Stuarts: The epic BBC Radio 4 Drama

Eleven BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas telling the stories of Mary Queen of Scots and the Stuart royals Under the Stuarts, Britain entered the modern world. But with great change came turmoil, and for 111 years, the Stuart monarchs faced dynastic struggles, religious conflict, the rise of parliamentary democracy - and civil war. These dramas chart that turbulent epoch through its royal family, from Mary, Queen of Scots to the 'last Stuart', Bonnie Prince Charlie's daughter Charlotte. It Came In with a Lass - 1561. Arriving in mist-shrouded Scotland, Queen Mary must quickly distinguish her friends from her enemies. Starring Jeany Spark as Mary. To Make the Plough Go Before the Horse - James I's life and reign told through his relationships, from his first love, Esme to his last favourite, George Villiers. Starring Bill Paterson as James I and VI. A World of Fools and Knaves - Henrietta Maria, Charles I's Catholic queen, watches her husband fail to keep hold of the reins of government. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles I. This War Without an Enemy - Only on the morning of his execution can Charles I begin to understand the events that brought him to to the scaffold. Starring Julian Rhind-Tutt as Charles I. Charles II, Part One: Through the World in Various Fortune - When news of Oliver Cromwell's death reaches Brussels, the exiled Charles II plots his return. Starring Jamie Parker as Charles II. Charles II, Part Two: The Long Lease of Pleasant Days- Charles II plots to confound parliamentary reformers and secure the throne for his brother. Starring Pip Torrens as Charles II. James II: The Storms of this Deceitful World- 1688. After just four years as King, James II flees England in the Glorious Revolution. How did it all go so wrong? Starring James Fleet as James II. William III and Mary II: To Have and To Hold- Dutch William marries his Stuart cousin for reasons of politics, not passion - but their partnership proves crucial when it comes to ruling England. Starring Mark Edel-Hunt as William III and Elaine Cassidy as Mary. Queen Anne: Myself Alone- Queen Anne must abandon long-held allegiances to command parliament's loyalty and rule with authority. Starring Fenella Woolgar as Queen Anne. Bonnie Prince Charlie: Who Dares to Be Free- Charles Edward Stuart, the 'Young Pretender', risks everything for the Stuart name. Starring Blake Ritson as Charles. Charlotte Stuart: The Last Stuart - Is Charlotte Stuart as driven as her predecessors, or the last victim of the Stuart curse? Starring Kate O'Flynn as Charlotte. Produced and directed by Jessica Dromgoole, Sasha Yevtushenko, Marc Beeby and Gemma Jenkins.

Mike Walker (Author), Anton Lesser, Bill Paterson, Blake Ritson, Brian Cox, Fenella Woolgar, James Fleet, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Kate O'flynn, Pip Torrens (Narrator)

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Tsar: An epic chronicle of the Russian leaders: Eleven BBC Radio 4 dramas

Eleven compelling BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramas telling the stories of the Russian tsars Broadcast to mark the centenary of the Russian revolution, this extraordinary drama cycle by Mike Walker comprises eleven ambitious plays spanning over 400 years, exploring the lives of Russia's key rulers from Ivan the Terrible to Vladimir Putin. Ivan the Terrible: Absolute Power - The rise and fearsome reign of the first Tsar of All Russia. Starring David Threlfall as Ivan IV. Boris Godunov: Ghosts - Did Boris Godunov have Ivan the Terrible's son killed? And what happened when the murdered boy came back from the dead - leading an army? Starring Shaun Dooley as Boris Godunov. Peter the Great: The Gamblers - Moscow, 1682 and two joint tsars rule: one, Ivan, is feeble-minded and the other is Peter, a child of ten years old. Starring Will Howard as Peter. Peter the Great: Queen of Spades - Distracted by his new capital, St Petersburg, and wife Catherine, Peter ignores his opponents: until his own son Alexei declares his colours. Starring Elliot Cowan as Peter. Catherine the Great: Husbands, Lovers and Sons - Did Catherine foresee the consequences of staging a coup d'état against her husband the Tsar? Or did she want him dead from the start? Starring Samantha Spiro as Catherine II. Alexander I: Into the Woods - The story of the reluctant Tsar who took on the greatest threat Russia had ever faced - Napoleon Bonaparte - and won. Starring Joel MacCormack as Alexander I. Alexander II: The People's Will - Revolutionary terrorist cell The People's Will is determined to assassinate the Tsar. But in the struggle between autocracy and socialism, there can be only one winner. Starring Joseph Millson as Alexander. Nikolai II: Three Hundred Years - In 1913, the Romanov dynasty celebrated three hundred years on the Russian throne. But a mere four years later, Tsar Nikolai II was forced to abdicate. Starring Raymond Coulthard as Nikolai II. Lenin: Tears - As the Soviet era begins, Lenin joins the provisional government, but soon becomes set on seizing complete power for his Bolsheviks. Starring Paul Ritter as Lenin. Joseph Stalin: The Last Bolshevik - In 1941, the Soviet Union was invaded by the Nazis - and Joseph Stalin retired to his dacha, seemingly defeated... Starring Brian McCardie as Stalin. The Shield and the Sword - Thirteen interconnected stories about the enigmatic Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Starring Nicholas Murchie as VV. Written by Mike Walker Produced and directed by Sasha Yevtushenko and Alison Hindell

Mike Walker (Author), , Amanda Root, Anton Lesser, David Threlfall, Full Cast, Hattie Morahan, Hugo Speer, Paul Ritter, Raymond Coulthard, Samantha Spiro (Narrator)

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The Real George Orwell: The complete BBC Radio 4 dramas

A series of four BBC Radio full-cast dramas exploring the disjuncture between the man who was Eric Blair and the writer who was George Orwell. George Orwell - the pen name of Eric Blair - was a writer and political commentator who is very hard to pin down. He is a complex mass of confusions - an anti-establishment, pro-English, ex-Etonian, ex-policeman, and socialist, who was ardently anti-authoritarian. He was as anti-fascist as he was anti-communist, a former Spanish Civil War soldier who was anti-war but pro the Second World War. Burma: After an undistinguished academic career at Eton, Eric leaves in December 1921. When the girl he hopes to marry rejects him, he sets sail for Burma to join the colonial police. His experiences in Burma will affect him profoundly. When he rejects the Empire and returns to England, Blair begins to spend more and more time with the poor. Dreaming: In September 1938, Eric and Eileen Blair leave London for Marrakech. He is hoping that the climate will be good for his health, and that he will be able to complete his novel, Coming Up for Air. But the bruising reception he received following the publication of Homage to Catalonia is troubling Eric. And both Eric and Eileen are still feeling guilty about the fate of one of their Spanish Civil War comrades, Georges Kopp. Loving: Eric Blair's relationship with the opposite sex could be a distraught one; over the course of his lifetime, he made several awkward marriage proposals to different women. But his relationship with Eileen O'Shaugnessy, whom he married in 1935, had a huge influence both on his life and his writing. Jura: In 1947, the year after Eileen's death, Eric leaves London and moves to Jura in the Scottish Hebrides, with his sister Avril, and his three year old son. He is suffering from tuberculosis but is determined to try and make a go of living off the land. But most of all he is determined to finish Nineteen Eighty-Four, his final book. Cast: Eric Blair . . . Joseph Millson Eileen Blair... Lyndsey Marshall Jacintha Buddicom . . . Sophie Roberts Wilson . . . Joseph Kloska Inspector d'Souza . . . Ernest Ignatius Georges Kopp...Ewan Bailey Avril Blair...Liza Sadovy Ricky Blair...James Foster Other parts played by Armaan Kirmani, Derek Riddell, Alun Raglan, Paul Stonehouse, Ben Crowe, Will Howard, Alun Raglan, Alexandra Guelff, Lizzy Watts. Burma was written by Mike Walker and directed by Kate McAll. Dreaming was written by Mike Walker and directed by Jeremy Mortimer. Loving was written by Jonathan Holloway and directed by Kate McAll. Jura was written by Jonathan Holloway and directed by Jeremy Mortimer.

Jonathan Holloway, Mike Walker (Author), , Joseph Millson, Lyndsey Marshall (Narrator)

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Plantagenet: The epic chronicle of a dynasty: Nine BBC Radio 4 dramas

Inspired by Holinshed's Chronicles, this series of radio dramas about the Plantagenet dynasty tells the story of the birth of a new Europe after the dark ages. The issues of control, of freedom, of belief, and the temptations of power were new to an age which had no template for domination on this scale. Henry II: What is a Man? - The first of the House of Anjou to be king of England, Henry II's long reign is beset by conflict with his sons. Starring David Warner as King Henry II and Jane Lapotaire as Queen Eleanor.Richard I: Lionheart - Prince Richard has become heir apparent, but in the face of Henry II's refusal to acknowledge his position, he turns to the Crusades. Starring Ed Stoppard as Richard.John, by the Grace of God - The fourth son of Henry II never expected to succeed to the English throne. When he does, he reveals a talent for making enemies. Starring Neil Stuke as King John.Edward I: Old Soldiers - Edward Longshanks - the Hammer of the Scots - was grief-stricken after the death of his first wife. But he finds new love with Margaret, sister of the French King. Philip Jackson as Edward I and Ellie Kendrick as Margaret.Edward II: The Greatest Traitor - While Edward's power is prey to his passions, his queen, Isabella, and his most powerful ally, Roger Mortimer, find a passion of their own. Starring Sam Troughton as Edward II.Richard II: And All Our Dreams Will End in Death – Richard II, having proved his mettle in quelling the Peasants' Revolt, disappoints his courtiers as he pursues peace and culture as an alternative to fighting and swiving. Starring Patrick Kennedy as Richard II.Henry V: True Believers - Young prince Hal will inherit an unstable throne, and a kingdom riven with heresy and rebellion. Victory over the rebel Hotspur will bring peace to England and glory to the king - but at what cost to the man? Starring Luke Treadaway as Hal.Henry VI: A Simple Man - The once-great England of Henry V is bankrupt and losing territory in France, but the weak, idealistic Henry VI is incapacitated by bouts of insanity. Queen Margaret is forced to take up arms to protect her royal line. Starring Al Weaver as Henry VI and Aimee Ffion Edwards as Margaret.Richard III: The Three Brothers: Edward IV manages to bring a modicum of stability to the kingdom of England, but discontent erupts into civil war after his death, and his brother Richard is forced to take drastic steps to uphold Plantagenet power. Starring Nancy Carroll as Queen Elizabeth, Simon Bubb as Edward IV and Carl Prekopp as Richard III.Directed by Jeremy Mortimer, Jessica Dromgoole and Sasha Yevtushenko.

Mike Walker (Author), , Al Weaver, Carl Prekopp, David Warner, Ed Stoppard, Luke Treadaway, Neil Stuke, Patrick Kennedy, Philip Jackson, Sam Troughton (Narrator)

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Landfall (BBC Radio 4 The Saturday Play)

A BBC Radio 4 science fiction adventure by Mike Walker, originally broadcast on 19 March 2011. When five lost souls, recruited by a company to travel to an abandoned planet, all they know is that they are there to retrieve the only known sample of an ore left over from an old mining operation. However, their task becomes considerably more complicated when one of the five has a close encounter with the indigenous plant life which seems to have some very odd, very powerful properties. Soon they are battling not only to stay alive, but to hang on to the very things which make them all human.Starring Nicola Miles-Wilden as Cally, Cyril Nri as Intaba, Clare Perkins as Hudson, Alex Tregear as JD and Adeel Akhtar as Hussam.With sound design by Pete Ringrose and Colin Guthrie.Directed by Marc Beeby.

Mike Walker (Author), Adeel Akhtar, Alex Tregear, Clare Perkins, Cyril Nri, Full Cast, Nicola Miles-Wilden (Narrator)

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City Killing, A (BBC Radio 4: Afternoon Play)

A BBC Radio 4 drama about three City traders who launch an aggressive new hedge fund, which they then struggle to prevent from complete failure. Tim, Meredith and Harry are three sassy, thirty something traders who, tired of making money for someone else, combine to launch a new hedge fund. But it doesn't take long before they get seriously above themselves, losing a small fortune and making some pretty heavy enemies in the City markets. Facing financial meltdown, Harry is deputed to exploit a family connection with Bob Glass of Glassworks. Glass is the doyen of Wall Street - friend to charities and movie stars and the biggest, boldest, safest investor on the block. In New York, Harry makes a good impression. Glass takes to him like a son. This is the coup the young hedge fund has needed. With Glass' name, confidence will flourish and further, major investments will follow. But Harry has no sooner touched down at Heathrow, than news breaks of Glass' arrest by the FBI. His convoluted investment structure has collapsed. Billions have been lost by individuals, by charities and by burgeoning hedge funds, just like Harry's. Harry, Tim and Meredith have lost 1.2billion and rising. Glass, the most feared, loathed and admired man on Wall Street was just a simple confidence trickster, though on a mammoth scale. Now it's time to face the investors, and the fact that their credibility is virtually nil. This is a £1.2billion hole they aren't going to crawl out of. 'A City Killing' stars Nicholas Boulton as Harry Towers, Nathan Osgood as Bob Glass, David Tse as Tim and Janice Acquah as Meredith. Also featured in the cast are Pam Miles, Jonathan Tafler and Sam Dale.

Mike Walker (Author), , A Full Cast, David Tse, Full Cast, Janice Acquah, Nathan Osgood, Nicholas Boulton (Narrator)

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Dickens Confidential Railway Kings & Darker Than You Think

The young Charles Dickens started his career in journalism, and these two plays take an imaginative look at how his desire to bring the news to the masses could have introduced him to a world of crime and corruption. In Railway Kings, Dickens is Editor of campaigning weekly The Herald, and has just appointed a new Chief Correspondent. Young Jack Marshall's first task is to find out who is responsible for a tragic railway accident - an awkward investigation, for Railway King Joseph Paxton is a shareholder in the paper and his daughter, Agnes, is on the staff... Darker Than You Think sees The Herald's team embroiled in a series of grisly murders. Bodies are being discovered in the Thames with dreadful injuries, and Inspector Leavett wants the culprit found quickly. Jack is sent to investigate but Agnes seems more interested in her new beau, a pioneering doctor, than in following the progress of his leads...

Mike Walker (Author), Jamie Glover (Narrator)

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