The new Christopher Nolan film version of ‘The Odyssey' is ensuring that the epic Homeric poems are well and truly back in fashion. This release brings together BBC radio adaptations of ‘The Iliad' and ‘The Odyssey' that were recorded a few years apart. Although they are separate tales, there is some crossover of characters, and ‘The Odyssey' chronologically follows on from ‘The Iliad'.
‘The Iliad' was broadcast in 2002 as part of the Classic Serial strand. ‘The Odyssey' followed in 2004. Both boast terrific casts and first-rate scripts. If you enjoy epic Greek stories from several millennia ago, then these audio adventures bring the best elements out of the stories and offer hugely rewarding dramatisations.
First up is ‘The Iliad', which is scripted by none other than Tom Holland, the celebrated historian who wrote ‘Rubicon', ‘Pax', ‘Persian Fire', ‘Millennium' and many other best-sellers. You may know him as one half of ‘The Rest is History' podcast, which he co-presents with Dominic Sandbrook. He has recently translated Suetonius from the Latin and here proves he is just as at home turning a long poem into a play for voices, based on Robert Fagles' translation from the Ancient Greek. Holland's ‘The Iliad' retains its poetic quality, with lines of dialogue that have a lilting quality.
Holland's dramatic device is to use an omniscient narrator to tell the story. That job falls to Derek Jacobi, himself no stranger to the Graeco-Roman world, having played the lead in the groundbreaking 1976 BBC serial ‘I, Claudius', based on the scholarly novel by Robert Graves.
The story of ‘The Iliad' centres around the feud between Hector and Achilles, lead warriors of opposing sides. A conflict between the Achaeans and the Trojans is sparked when the Trojan Prince Paris abducts the beautiful Achaean Helen and takes her to Troy. When Achilles sulks and refuses to fight following an argument with the king, the Trojans take the upper hand in the war. This leads Achilles' friend Patroclus to put on his armour and take to the battlefield. When he is killed by Hector, an enraged Achilles returns to the fray.
Christopher Eccleston is an inspired casting choice as the Greek warrior Achilles. His Manchester accent isn't readily associated with royalty, but he breathes his trademark intensity and honesty into the part. Iain Glen plays opposite him as Hector, and the two leads ensure that the conflict and the drama is unrelenting. Listen out also for Andrew Sachs (‘Fawlty Towers') who is the embodiment of elderly nobility as the Trojan King Priam.
The second instalment is ‘The Odyssey'. Out of the two stories, I have always preferred this one, as it takes on a more mythological element. It tells the story of the Greek hero Odysseus' return home after his trick with the Trojan Horse brings an end to the war. It takes him another decade and many deadly encounters before he returns to his homeland. Once there, he finds his palace in Ithaca overrun with men seeking the hand of his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. Teaming up with his son Telemachus, Odysseus must find a way to overcome the invaders and reclaim his home. I'm pleased that this telling of the story retains the moment when Odysseus is reunited with his old hunting dog, Argos. It always makes me sob, and this play for voices proved no exception!
‘The Odyssey' is adapted by Simon Armitage, who doesn't use the classical device of the narrator, but instead presents it as a straight radio play. Tim McInnerny (‘Blackadder') plays Odysseus and Amanda Redman ‘New Tricks' is Penelope, while Benedict Cumberbatch (‘X-Men') is their son, Telemachus. The remarkable cast also includes Janet McTeer plays Odysseus' supportive goddess Athena, while Frances Barber breathes seductive life into the enchantress Circe. As with ‘The Iliad', ‘The Odyssey' boasts an ensemble of actors who all excel in their parts. It is little wonder that the production won awards: it truly is an outstanding radio drama of the sort that the BBC used to make with impressive regularity.
‘The Ultimate Iliad & Odyssey' runs to just under six hours in duration. If you love these tales, then this audio release comes strongly recommended. I loved every minute. The stylistic differences between the two mirror the difference between the Homeric poems and do not jar. They are excellent companion pieces, united thematically, and by incredibly high production standards and first-rate performances. They are adaptations that have borne the test of time and will stand up to repeat listening.
Cast: Derek Jacobi, Christopher Eccleston, Iain Glen, Bill Wallis, Imogen Stubbs, Clive Mantle, Suzanna Hamilton, Andrew Sachs (‘The Iliad') Tim McInnerny, Amanda Redman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Janet McTeer, John Wood, Mary Wimbush, Danny Webb, John Rowe, Frances Barber Writers: Tom Holland and Simon Armitage (dramatising the poems by Homer) Directors: Jeremy Howes, Janet Whitaker Running time: 344 mins Released by: Penguin Random House UK audio Release date: 28th May 2026 Buy ‘The Ultimate Iliad & Odyssey'
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