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Hardy's Women

Hardy's Women takes a fresh look at some of the novels of Thomas Hardy through the eyes of his female protagonists.

Radio 4,19 episodes

Episodes

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Jude the Obscure
Episode 1
Sue Bridehead relates the story of stonemason Jude and his dreams of being a scholar.
30 May 2021,57 mins
Jude the Obscure
Episode 2
Sue marries Phillotson. But her true feelings for Jude can't be concealed for long.
06 Jun 2021,57 mins
Jude the Obscure
Episode 3
Sue and Jude's unconventional relationship ends in tragedy.
13 Jun 2021,57 mins
Two on a Tower
Part 1 - The Astronomer
Hardy's romantic melodrama sets two lovers' lives against the backdrop of the universe.
16 May 2021,57 mins
Two on a Tower
Part 2 - Marriage
Hardy's romantic melodrama sets two lovers' lives against the backdrop of the universe
23 May 2021,57 mins
The Woodlanders
1. The Haircut
Marty South is a plain peasant girl with beautiful hair - and a secret love.
03 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
2. Grace is Back
Giles is distracted by Grace's return to Little Hintock.
04 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
3. The Elm Tree
Giles tries to impress Grace by inviting her to a supper party.
05 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
4. The Broken Contract
Grace is torn over her old promise to Giles.
06 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
5. A Doctor's Word
The spell of Midsummer Eve and Grace Melbury is thrown into the arms of a new lover.
07 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
6. The Distraction
Grace returns from her honeymoon, but her new husband is soon distracted.
10 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
7. The Confrontation
Melbury confronts Mrs Charmond over her affair with Dr Fitzpiers.
11 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
8. Possibility
Giles and Grace seize on a new possibility of freedom.
12 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
9. Desperation
In desperation, Grace turns to Giles for help.
13 May 2021,14 mins
The Woodlanders
10. Another Chance
A contrite Fitzpiers begs Grace to give him another chance.
14 May 2021,14 mins
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Episode 1
The story of beautiful, poor Dorset girl Tess Durbeyfield, dramatised from Hardy's novel.
14 Feb 2021,57 mins
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Episode 2
Dramatisation of Hardy's novel about beautiful, poor, young Tess Durbeyfield.
21 Feb 2021,57 mins
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Episode 3
Dramatisation of Hardy's novel about beautiful, poor, virtuous Tess Durbeyfield.
28 Feb 2021,57 mins
The Hand of Ethelberta
All of London wants to marry the infamous poet, but she's not the lady they think she is.
07 Mar 2021,57 mins