Tsar

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Drama: Historical

Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian tsars.

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David Threlfall

Shaun Dooley

Steven Hartley

Hugo Speer

Kirsty Oswald

Sean Baker

James Lailey

Jason Barnett

Tom Forrister

Graham Butler

Will Howard

Elizabeth Bennett

Sasha Yevtushenko

Mike Walker

Tsar: Ivan The Terrible: Absolute Power

Ivan The Terrible: Absolute Power

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Tsar, Ivan The Terrible: Absolute Power

David Threlfall is Ivan the Terrible in Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Tsars.

4 Extra Debut. Mike Walker's epic chronicle of the Russian Tsars opens with the story of Ivan IV’s fearsome reign. With David Threlfall.

Following years of tumultuous reign, Tsar Ivan IV abruptly leaves Moscow and announces his abdication. Russia is without a Tsar and thrown into chaos, with the boyars unable to rule and in fear of an uprising. They beg Ivan to return. His condition is simple: Absolute Power. Are they right to accept? Was it ever really a choice? Mike Walker's full-blooded drama chronicles the fearsome reign of the first Tsar of All Russia.

Ivan IV . . . . . David Threlfall
Boris Godunov . . . . . Shaun Dooley
Malyuta Skuratov . . . . . Steven Hartley
Andrei Kurbsky . . . . . Hugo Speer
Anastasia Romanov . . . . . Kirsty Oswald
Prince Belsky . . . . . Sean Baker
Jerome Horsey . . . . . James Lailey
Metropolitan Philip II . . . . . Jason Barnett
Vanya . . . . . Tom Forrister
Younger Ivan . . . . . Graham Butler
Younger Kurbsky . . . . . Will Howard
Midwife . . . . . Elizabeth Bennett

Written by Mike Walker

Director: Sasha Yevtushenko

Originally part of a season of  programmes to mark the centenary of the Russian Revolution in October 2017.  

Series One takes in the reigns of Ivan IV (aka The Terrible), Boris Godunov and Peter The Great.

Series Two chronicles the reigns of Catherine the Great; Alexander I and the Napoleonic Wars; and Alexander II and the emancipation of the serfs.

Series Three takes in Nicholas II and the Revolution, the Soviets, and Putin.

The dramas are produced by Alison Hindell and Sasha Yevtushenko.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016

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