The Ultimate Iliad & Odyssey: Two Full-Cast Dramatisations: Rediscover the Epic Greek Myths Ahead of the Major Film

by Homer, Derek Jacobi (Narrator), Benedict Cumberbatch (Narrator)

The ultimate, full-cast dramatisations of Homer’s two epic Greek masterpieces, with exceptional casts including Derek Jacobi, Christopher Eccleston, Tim McInnerny and Benedict Cumberbatch

REDISCOVER THE EPIC MYTHS BEFORE YOU SEE CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

Attributed to the Greek poet Homer, The Iliad and The Odyssey are among the greatest and most influential works of the past 3000 years, often claimed as the cornerstones of Western literature. These unmissable BBC dramas breathe new life into the classic stories, adding an extra dimension with stunning casts and specially composed music. Vivid, visceral and action-packed, they will transport you to the battlefield of Troy, and take you on a fantastic journey with the wandering king of Ithaca...

The Iliad – In pursuit of the beautiful Helen, stolen by the Trojan prince Paris, an Achaean battle fleet has sailed from Greece. For nine years the army of the Achaeans has lain siege to Troy, but still the great city stands – and in the ranks, failure breeds resentment and feuding. When the great warrior Achilles is humiliated by his leader, Agamemnon, he refuses to take any further part in the fight. But when the Trojan hero Hector kills his closest friend, Patroclus, he rampages back into battle to take a terrible revenge… Derek Jacobi narrates Homer's gripping tale of fury, grief, love and war, dramatised by Tom Holland and starring Christopher Eccleston, Iain Glen, Imogen Stubbs and Andrew Sachs.

The Odyssey – The Trojan War is long over, but Odysseus is still struggling to get home. After a decade of fighting and a further ten years battling storms and calamities, the Gods have decided that it is time for him to return to Ithaca. But Poseidon still wants revenge… As Odysseus is freed from the coils of Calypso, who had held him prisoner for seven years, we hear the incredible tale of his seafaring adventures, and his encounters with enchantresses, nymphs, monsters, prophets and ghosts. And we learn of his faithful wife Penelope who waits for him, besieged by suitors, and their son Telemachus who has a quest of his own… This stunning production won Gold at the 2005 Spoken Word Awards and was acclaimed Best Audio Drama at the 2009 Audie Awards. Tim McInnerny stars as Odysseus, with Amanda Redman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bertie Carvel, Adjoa Andoh and Frances Barber.

The Iliad
Homer – Derek Jacobi
Achilles – Christopher Eccleston
Hector – Iain Glen
Agamemnon – Bill Wallis
Helen – Imogen Stubbs
Chryses – Clive Mantle
Athena/Andromache – Suzanna Hamilton
Hero/Hecuba – Mia Soteriou
Odysseus – Michael Elwyn
Priam – Andrew Sachs
Paris – Tom Espiner
Menelaus – John MacKay
Thetis – Jacqueline Tong
Zeus – Michael Fenton Stevens
Patroclus – Jamie Glover
Apollo – Chris Donnelly
Dramatised by Tom Holland
Produced and directed by Viv Beeby and Jeremy Howes

The Odyssey
Odysseus – Tim McInnerny
Penelope – Amanda Redman
Telemachus – Benedict Cumberbatch
Athena – Janet McTeer
Zeus – John Wood
Eurycleia – Mary Wimbush
Hermes – Bertie Carvel
King Alcinous – Geoffrey Whitehead
Queen Arete – Cheryl Campbell
Princess Nausicaa – Alice Hart
Calypso – Adjoa Andoh
The Cyclops – Barrie Rutter
Antinous – Danny Webb
Eurymachus – Jonathan Keeble
Amphinomus – Chris Pavlo
Eurylochus – Ewan Bailey
Polites – John Rowe
Elpenus – Stephen Hogan
Eurybates – Philip Fox
Antiphus/Shipmate – Jon Glover
Eumaeus – Ioan Meredith
Circe – Frances Barber
Ghost of Anticleia – Joanna McCallum
The Elena Ferarri, Belinda Sykes, Harriet Williams
Dramatised by Simon Armitage
Directed by Janet Whitaker

2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Genres: Classics

Audible Audio

Published May 28, 2026

About the author

Homer (Greek: Όμηρος born c. 8th century BC) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the most revered and influential authors in history.
Homer's Iliad centers on a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles during the last year of the Trojan War. The Odyssey chronicles the ten-year journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, back to his home after the fall of Troy. The poems are in Homeric Greek, also known as Epic Greek, a literary language which shows a mixture of features of the Ionic and Aeolic dialects from different centuries; the predominant influence is Eastern Ionic. Most researchers believe that the poems were originally transmitted orally. Despite being predominantly known for its tragic and serious themes, the Homeric poems also contain instances of comedy and laughter.
Homer's epic poems shaped aspects of ancient Greek culture and education, fostering ideals of heroism, glory, and honor. To Plato, Homer was simply the one who "has taught Greece" (τὴν Ἑλλάδα πεπαίδευκεν). In Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, Virgil refers to Homer as "Poet sovereign", king of all poets; in the preface to his translation of the Iliad, Alexander Pope acknowledges that Homer has always been considered the "greatest of poets". From antiquity to the present day, Homeric epics have inspired many famous works of literature, music, art, and film.
The question of by whom, when, where and under what circumstances the Iliad and Odyssey were composed continues to be debated. Scholars remain divided as to whether the two works are the product of a single author. It is thought that the poems were composed at some point around the late eighth or early seventh century BC. Many accounts of Homer's life circulated in classical antiquity; the most widespread account was that he was a blind bard from Ionia, a region of central coastal Anatolia in present-day Turkey. Modern scholars consider these accounts legendary.

French: Homère, Italian: Omero, Portuguese, Spanish: Homero.

Reviews

[Eli J.D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a fun read with a little more insight into the original poems

[Lara Reading Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was exceptional. 10 out of 10 recommend.

[MLD · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Let’s just say I wanted a refresher before I go to the movie theatre to see the newly released film ‘the Odyssey.’ There is lots of hype about the movie having very high reviews. I hope it does not disappoint. Every time I read about gods and goddesses within Greek mythology, the violence is quite brutal. Somehow I forgot this or it was omitted when studying in high school English classes. This radio reenactment by the BBC retold many of the gory scenes with little left for the imagination. Zeus with all his offspring certainly does cause pandemonium with the mortals. Regardless love Greek mythology, and it’s powerful gods and goddesses.

[Paula W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cast list is a who’s who of British acting royalty doing a performance of Homer’s two epic myth tales. There isn’t much more to say. If you want to read the books before seeing the movie about The Odyssey, please do so. I’m reading them, as well. If you don’t want to read them, these audiobook dramatizations are quick and painless, less than six hours total. The production is great, as one would expect from the BBC. Thanks to BBC Audio and libro.fm for the audiobook review copy.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good rendition of Iliad and the Odyssey, weird that it’s one audible and yet at the beginning and end of each “track” it talks about who was narrating each person. Like I get it at the start of each Illiad and the Odyssey-but you don’t need to keep doing it. It very much interrupted the story for me.

[Nik · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Iliad is difficult to dramatize but they did it in a way that made it digestible. The Odyssey was a far more exciting retelling, and I found myself looking forward to parts I knew were coming up. I definitely enjoyed.

[•mikaela• :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ALC Review✨

A dramatisation of a classical masterpiece. 👏🏻

[Emily Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great listen of this BBC dramatization! Loved getting the storyline before the movie coming out this weekend

[Laura Parissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible cast of narrators and fantastic effects, truly brought the story to life for me!