Two bold, authentic dramas exploring D.H. Lawrence's extraordinarily modern view of sexuality.

Daring, transgressive and controversial, D.H. Lawrence scandalized the literary world with his frank descriptions of sex and desire. He was censored by his own publisher for being too explicit, and several of his most famous works were banned under the Obscene Publications Act. But for Lawrence, a self-described 'priest of love', passion was the stuff of life - and these two dynamic reimaginings celebrate him at his most fearless, pushing the boundaries of sexuality at the dawn of the 20th century.

The Rainbow is seen through the eyes of Ursula Brangwen, and spans three generations of her family from 1840 to 1905. Unsatisfied with the limited choices open to women, Ursula delves into the histories of her mother, Anna, and grandmother Lydia, in an attempt to find a path to follow as she grapples with the forces of passion and desire. From her first crush to an illicit same-sex love affair, we follow Ursula on her journey of sexual awakening and self-discovery.

In Women in Love, Ursula's younger sister, Gudrun, comes into equal focus, as she and Ursula search for happiness and fulfilment in the Midlands mining town of Beldover. Gudrun, an artist, embarks on an affair with coalmine owner Gerald Crich; while schoolteacher Ursula falls in love with his friend, school inspector Rupert Birkin. But while Ursula and Rupert grow closer, Gudrun and Gerald's relationship is threatened by Gerald's inability to express his emotions - and his tangled feelings for Rupert....

Cassie Bradley stars as Ursula and Katie Redford as Gudrun in these stunning linked dramas about the complexity of human love.

Cast and credits

Written by D.H. Lawrence

The Rainbow

Ursula - Cassie Bradley

Tom - Karl Collins

Lydia - Aneta Piotrowska

Young Ursula - Florence Hunt

Anna - Rosalie Craig

Young Anna - Lauren Tanner

Will - Lee Ingleby

Anton - Nico Mirallegro

Winifred - Tala Gouveia

Harby - Graeme Hawley

Dramatised by Linda Marshall Griffiths

Directed by Nadia Molinari

A BBC Audio Drama North Production

With thanks to the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 20-27 June 2021

Women in Love

Ursula - Cassie Bradley

Gudrun - Katie Redford

Rupert - Alexander Arnold

Gerald - James Cooney

Hermione - Emily Pithon

Diana/Pussum - Verity Henry

Julius - Rupert Hill

Hermione - Emily Pithon

Loerke - Ashley Margolis

Dramatised by Ian Kershaw

Directed by Gary Brown

A BBC Audio Drama North Production

With thanks to the Estate of Frieda Lawrence Ravagli

First broadcast BBC Radio 4,4-11 July 2021