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HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories
HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories
Mar 8, 2026 5:22 AM

Author:Various,Katy Brand,Amaka Okafor,Niamh Cusack,Aimee-Ffion Edwards,Amanda Root,Indira Varma,Rebecca Humphries,Full Cast,Anton Lesser

HER Story: Women’s Untold Histories

10 dramas focusing on women's untold stories from history.

This diverse, eclectic collection of plays explores an array of social, political and historical events from a female point of view. In these captivating dramas, we see the world through their eyes, giving us a fresh perspective on a female history that is too often unrecorded, misrepresented or misunderstood.

Featuring a multiplicity of styles and genres, and written by a wide variety of authors, they range from comedy dramas themed around the Bayeux Tapestry and the 1962 Cheltenham Literary Festival, to award-winning, thought-provoking tales of Nigerian teenagers kidnapped by Boko Haram. A contemporary version of the heroines from Greek mythology, Persephone and Demeter; Profumo affair from a female perspective, Britain's last witch (Helen Duncan); a legendary ballerina (Margot Fonteyn); a little sister (Dious, sibling of St Anthony) and a youngest daughter (Judith Shakespeare).

Embroidering the Truth

Queen Edith - Katy Brand

Bishop Odo - Charlie Anson

Other cast, Katy Sobey, Lisa Zahra, Jonny Holden, Rosie Cavaliero, Tracy Wiles. Written by Abigail Youngman. Produced by Mary Ward-Lowery. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 17 October 2019

Girls

Tisana - Amaka Okafor

Ruhab - Faith Alabi

Haleema - Joan Iyiola

Written by Theresa Ikoko. Directed by Abigail Gonda. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 July 2017

The Bulbul Was Singing

Laura - Rebecca Humphries

Ariman - Shaniaz Hama Ali

Other Cast: Paul Hickey, Jonny Holden, Saya Zahawi, Catherine Cusack, Shaun Mason, Debbie Korley, Chris Pavlo

Written by Judy Upton. Directed by Emma Harding. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 19 August 2019

Seven Pomegranate Seeds

Performed by Niamh Cusack, Ruth Bradley and Leah McNamara

Written by Colin Teevan. Produced and directed by Allegra McIlroy. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7 January 2020

Festival

Elizabeth Jane Howard - Melody Grove

John Moore - Tony Gardner

Kingsley Amis - Jonathan Forbes

Other cast: Will Howard, Emma Handy, John Lightbody. Written by Sarah Wooley. Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 31 July 2018

Well, He Would, Wouldn't He?

Mandy (younger) - Aimee-Ffion Edwards

Christine Keeler - Lyndsey Marshal

'Pops' Murray - Stephen Marzella

Stephen Ward/Peter Rachman - Ewan Bailey

Other cast: Adrian Schiller, Alex Dower, Anthony Courier. Written by Charlotte Williams. Directed by Kate McAll. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 23 February 2013

Tony's Little Sister and the Paradox of Monasticism

Anthony - Duncan Preston

Dious - Samantha Spiro

Satan - Tim McMullan

Other cast Ben Crowe, Rachel Bavidge. Written by David and Caroline Stafford. Produced by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 6 August 2007

Judith Shakespeare

Judith Shakespeare - Amanda Root

William Shakespeare - Michael Pennington

Henry, Earl of Southampton - Anton Lesser

Other Cast, Andrew Wincott, Melinda Walker, Thomas Connor, Stephen Critchlow, Ann Beach, Colleen Prendergast, Jillie Meers

Written by Nan Woodhouse. Directed byTracey Neale. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 25 April 1996

An Unchoreographed World

Margot Fonteyn - Sophie Jerrold

Constant Lambert - Richard McCabe

Other cast Oliver Millingham, Kate Littlewood

Chorus - Anne-Marie Piazza, Maria Askew, Ffion Jolly, Ben Ashton & Coen de Groot

Written by Frances Byrne. Produced and directed by Mark Smalley. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 22 May 2008

The Last Witch Trial

Lucy - Indira Varma

Margo - Lyndsey Marshal

Other Cast:Joanna Monro, Vineeta Rishi Sam Dale, Michael Shelford, Keely Beresford

Written by Melissa Murray. Directed by Marc Beeby. First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 4 June 2010

©2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2021 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Reviews

One of the most epic and original fantasies I've read in a long time. Natasha Bowen has crafted a world full of heart and imagination.

—— Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing

The most engrossing, thought-provoking, beautiful novel...knocks your socks off and leaves you wanting more.

—— Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones

Bursting with innovative inspiration...A divine debut that explores the glories of West African myth, religion, and history

—— Kirkus

A compelling, moving YA fairytale, richly woven with west African mythology

—— The Guardian

A triumph of storytelling.

—— Kalynn Bayron, bestselling author of Cinderella is Dead

A dazzling debut . . . Bowen relays a story as lushly described as it is cinematic, centering a brave headstrong protagonist coming into her own power in an age of change

—— Publisher's Weekly

'Fantastical creatures and vengeful gods form a vivid backdrop to this rich and original story of one girl's journey to find herself' Observer (YA Books of Month)

—— Fiona Noble , Observer

Magnificent . . . Towles is a supreme storyteller, and this one-of-a-kind kind of novel isn't to be missed

—— Publishers Weekly

Amor Towles's third novel is fantastic!...Wise, witty and entirely wonderful, this is a superlative slice of storytelling

—— Daily Mail

A delight from beginning to end

—— Good Housekeeping

With exquisitely drawn characters, beautiful writing and a real sense of moral integrity, The Lincoln Highway already feels like an American coming of age classic to sit alongside The Catcher In The Rye and To Kill A Mockingbird

—— Red

CRAMMED full of emotion, madcap escapades and hugely endearing characters, Towles' outstanding third novel criss-crosses 1950s America as three wayward young men, and one sweet kid brother, go in search of fresh starts and family fortunes. Damaged by their pasts and heading into uncertain futures, their unruly ten-day odyssey is a beautiful, bittersweet adventure

—— Daily Mail

Towles's myth-making, masterful storytelling is no humane, uplifting and compelling that I didn't want the journey to end

—— Church Times

This deeply enjoyable read cements Towles' reputation as one of the best of today's historical novelists

—— Express

'[A] gorgeously crafted novel'

—— The Washington Post

A sweet, charming and wonderfully astute take on humanity and its foibles, this is gorgeous storytelling

—— Psychologies, Book of the Month

The Lincoln Highway is a joyride...[a] delightful tour de force .. There's so much to enjoy in this generous novel packed with fantastic characters

—— NPR.org

Following the runaway success of A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles returns with his third major novel, and we're pleased to say it's another stunner... A gem of a book

—— Woman and Home, Book of the Month

[The Lincoln Highway] is reason to rejoice for Towles's millions of fans, who made his first two novels, Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow, runaway international bestsellers

—— The Millions

Towles' third novel is even more entertaining than his much-acclaimed A Gentleman in Moscow (2016)... A remarkable blend of sweetness and doom, Towles' novel is packed with revelations about the American myth, the art of storytelling, and the unrelenting pull of history. An exhilarating ride through Americana.

—— Kirkus starred review

"[The] notion of American openness, of ever-fractalizing free will, coming up against the fickle realities of fate is the tension that powers Towles' exciting, entertaining [...] picaresque . . . Stories can bring us back to ourselves, Towles seems to say, if only we are open to receiving their power . . . Anyone who follows The Lincoln Highway will relish the trip

—— Los Angeles Times

An enthralling odyssey

—— People

Absorbing

—— USA Today

A wild ride through Americana

—— BuzzFeed

History [and] adventure collide in The Lincoln Highway . . . The pace is fast and writing concise, making it a digestible read whether in bed or at a loud coffee shop

—— Associated Press

Magnificent . . . Towles is a supreme storyteller, and this one-of-a-kind kind of novel isn't to be missed

—— Publishers Weekly

[A] playfully thought-provoking novel . . . [Towles] juggles the pieces of his plot deftly, shifting from voice to voice, skirting sentimentality and quirkiness with a touch of wistful regret, and leading up to an ending that is bound to provoke discussion

—— Booklist

A new author to me- but I'll be reading Amor's A Gentlemen in Moscow, as I was blown away by this... A heartfelt read, one that makes me think of coming of age film Stand By Me

—— Prima

A natural storyteller, Towles keeps the plot ticking over nicely in a solid holiday listen destined for the big screen

—— Irish Examiner

A perfect paperback

—— The Herald

A book to lose yourself in

—— Muddy Stilettos
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