Mary Elizabeth Braddon: Lady Audley's Secret & more

Three classic stories from the 'Queen of Sensation Fiction' - plus bonus documentaryMary Elizabeth Braddon was one of the most important and influential female novelists of the 19th Century, and the founder (alongside Wilkie Collins) of the popular 'sensation fiction' genre. This collection features her best-known novel, Lady Audley's Secret, a thrilling tale of bigamy, murder and arson that outraged Victorian society on its first release - and was an instant bestseller. Also included are two atmospheric short stories and an edition of Sensational Women exploring her life and work.Lady Audley's Secret - Lucy Graham gains all the wealth she desires through her marriage to the devoted Sir Michael Audley. But her newfound security is threatened when young lawyer Robert Audley sets out to uncover the truth about her hidden past. Hattie Morahan, Charlotte Emmerson, Alex Wyndham and Sam Dale star in this electrifying dramatisation.The Cold Embrace - When Josef, a handsome young German artist, betrays his delicate fiancee, her vengeance is eerily appropriate... This chilling adaptation of Mary Elizabeth Braddon's ghostly story stars Stephanie Turner, Jonathan Firth and Alison Pettitt.Samuel Lowgood's Revenge - An impoverished clerk discovers that his rival in love has defrauded their employer. But what should he do with this knowledge? Barbara Flynn reads Braddon's 1861 tale of jealousy and retribution.Sensational Women: Mary Braddon - Sarah Dunant takes a look at the notorious sensation author, who was condemned for rotting the moral fibre of a whole generation of young women.First published 1860 ('The Cold Embrace'), 1861 ('Samuel Lowgood's Revenge'), 1862 (Lady Audley's Secret)Cast and creditsWritten by Mary Elizabeth BraddonLady Audley's SecretMary Braddon - Hattie MorahanLucy, Lady Audley - Charlotte EmmersonSir Michael Audley - Sam DalePhoebe Marks - Lizzy WattsLuke Marks - Benjamin AskewRobert Audley - Alex WyndhamGeorge Talboys - Joseph KloskaAlicia Audley - Perdita WeeksLieutenant Maldon - Jonathan TaflerMr Dawson/Landlord - Paul RiderMrs Vincent - Charlotte West-OramTonks - Deborah McAndrewDramatised by Theresa HeskinsDirected by Julie Beckett and Fiona KelcherFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20 April-1 May 2009The Cold EmbraceMary Braddon - Stephanie TurnerJosef - Jonathan FirthGertrude - Alison PettittFather - John HartleyPostmaster - Ioan MeredithPassenger - Hugh DicksonWoman - Carolyn JonesFisherman - Chris PavloParisienne - Tracy-Ann ObermanDramatised by Christopher HawesProduced by Marion NancarrowFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 June 1997Samuel Lowgood's RevengeRead by Barbara FlynnProduced by Rebecca NicholsonFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 18 November 1998Sensational Women: Mary BraddonPresented by Sarah DunantExtracts read by Sally BeaumanProduced by Lore WindemuthFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 30 October 1996(c) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd