Jacques has finally fallen in love but his murderous desires resurface, with terrible consequences.

Glenda Jackson stars as Dide, 104 years old, the matriarch to a family of wolves - the Rougon-Macquarts - in this final drama of the series.

Dramatised by Dan Rebellato, inspired by literature's greatest whistle blower - Emile Zola.

As society changes around her, Dide is still trapped in her small room in the local asylum, but omniscient when it comes to her extended family. As a young woman, she gave birth to two dynasties that exemplified French society. One legitimate - rich, powerful, obsessive and corrupt. The other illegitimate - poor, vulnerable, weak and depraved.

France is on the brink of a new Empire. Her family is a turbulent mix of the good, the bad and the misguided.

The brand new railway system was a powerful force. Dide's great-grandson Jacques, a train driver, has fallen in love with Sevrine, the first time a woman has come close to challenging his love of trains. As her marriage collapses under the weight of the murderous secret she and her husband share, she seeks her freedom to be with her new love. The pressure on Jacques becomes unbearable.

Dide...............Glenda Jackson
Jacques.........William Ash
Severine........Christine Bottomley
Roubaud........Sean Gallagher
Pecquex........Tachia Newell
Sound Design: Eloise Whitmore

Producer/Director: Polly Thomas
Executive Producer: Melanie Harris
Series Producer: Susan Roberts

A Sparklab production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015. Show less