Pilgrim: The Collected Series 1-4: The BBC Radio 4 Fantasy Drama Series

by Sebastien Baczkiewicz

The first four series of the original BBC Radio 4 fantastical drama series set in a world almost, but not quite, like our own. Paul Hilton stars as William Palmer, the immortal, reluctant and unthanked hero protecting mankind from an enemy they resist believing in: the Grey Folk. Thrilling, dark and contemporary, the dramas are set in a recognisable present day, but one haunted by the folktales of the British Isles: drowned villages, changeling children, werewolves and unruly nature spirits. Duration: 11 hours 40 mins.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

1 pages, Audio CD

First published April 7, 2016

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really quality production from Radio 4. These tales are a blend of urban fantasy and British folk law and legend. Pilgrim himself was condemned to work to walk between the faerie and mortal world, cursed by the Grey Lord (King of the fae). He helps people (hotbloods) who have become entangled with the grey folk and helps them to extricate themselves from entrapment. These plays lend themselves favourably to the play format. Recommended.

[FantasyBookNerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite simply one of the best radio 4 dramas. The stories are based on William Palmer (otherwise known as Pilgrim) a man who is cursed by the king of the grey folk to eternal life for denying that the grey folk in 1185.
The stories are based on English Folklore. I love these plays, they are imaginative and get their hooks into you. It is a shame that this had to finish and the only way that I can get my fix is to listen to them again and again (I think I am on the fourth or fifth listening). If you do get chance to listen to this, I strongly recommend that you give it a whirl.

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each episode has an interesting cast of characters, as well as an entertaining storyline, and all the episodes work together well.

[Macky · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.5⭐️

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended.
Looking forward to the rest.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Of all the tales told on these islands, few are as strange as that of William Palmer. Cursed, apparently, on the road to Canterbury in the spring of 1185 for denying the presence of the other world by the king of the grey folk – or Fairy – himself, and compelled to walk from that day to this between the worlds of magic and of men, and subsequently known in all the strange and wonderful lore attributed to the mysterious William Palmer, as Pilgrim."

Thoroughly enjoyable BBC radio drama that is sometimes creepy and often imaginative. The basic premise is old world folklore meets the modern day, and while there is an overriding story arc, each episode can be enjoyed stand-alone. The production, as expected, is very good, as is the lead actor.

My major gripe with Pilgrim is that most of the episodes are resolved in a similar way, with a speech from Palmer, who, other than being immortal, doesn't appear to have any particular skills or abilities, despite having centuries to learn some. He is good at talking though, which I suppose is a useful skill. It's been enough for Dr Who for decades.

7.5/10

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection as well as the companion. Obviously it is a collection of audio plays, rather than a printed book. Very Neil Gaiman-esque