Daniel Defoe, once more in need of ready money, finds inspiration for a new book when he meets Elizabeth Atkins in Newgate gaol.

She tells him her stranger-than-fiction story; of how she was born in prison to a petty thief and of how she loved and bargained her way from rags to riches, from prostitution in the streets of London to prosperity on a Virginia plantation, and then lost it all again.

Defoe interprets it all in his characteristic manner, blending fact with fiction, and re-inventing his interlocutor as the lusty and resourceful Moll Flanders.

Dramatised in two parts by Nick Perry who plays fast and loose with this 18th century classic, melding fiction and reality in a manner inspired by Daniel Defoe.

Moll Flanders ...... Jessica Hynes
Daniel Defoe ...... Ben Miles
Mr Mist ...... Brian Protheroe
Lady Cholmondley ...... Elizabeth Bennett
Jemmy ...... Blake Ritson
Nurse ...... Claire Perkins
Young Moll ...... Alex Jarett
Rob ...... Nick Underwood
Lucy ...... Kirsty Oswald
John ...... Tom Forrister
Robin ...... Sam Rix
Gaoler ...... Sean Baker

Harpsichord played by Peter Ringrose.

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016. Show less