Episode 1

In Simon Armitage's fresh version of Homer's Odyssey, a high ranking government minister with a colourful past is sent on a delicate diplomatic mission to Istanbul.

When his trip ends up in a horrific bar room brawl, social media explodes and the enigmatic darling of a political party becomes Europe's most wanted man overnight. Chased by the authorities, damned by religious leaders, pursued by those looking for vengeance and head-hunted by fanatics, his Odyssey begins.

Plunged into the ancient past Odysseus must now contend with all the unworldly beings and unnatural phenomena that stand in his way. In part one, The Lotus Flowers, Cyclops and Circe must all be overcome in the struggle for survival and the long voyage back to the present day. Here reality and mythology are blurred

At home, with her husband missing presumed dead, his wife Penelope and their young son are besieged by the press, ravenous for the full story.

Smith/Odysseus ...... Colin Tierney
Prime Minister/Cyclops ...... Simon Dutton
Anthea/Athene ...... Polly Frame
Penelope ...... Susie Trayling
Magnus ...... Lee Armstrong
McGill/Eurylochus ...... Roger Evans
Kite ...... David Hartley
Reynolds ...... Ranjit Krishnamma
Fenton/Perimedes ...... Chris Reilly
Soli/Polites ...... Sule Rimi
Circe/Briseis ...... Danusia Samal

Music composed by James Fortune.

Missing Presumed Dead was originally directed for the stage by Nick Bagnall and co-produced by The Liverpool Everyman and the English Touring Theatre.

Directed at BBC Salford by Susan Roberts.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.