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Episode 4

Drama series set in Russia in the early 19th century, based on Tolstoy's novel. Natasha is shocked by Andrei's decision to delay the wedding and travel abroad for a year.

Andrei is in love, but his father is set against him marrying Natasha and insists on a long engagement to keep them apart. Natasha is overjoyed when Andrei proposes but shocked by his decision to delay the wedding and travel abroad for a year. She distracts herself by spending time on the Rostovs country estate, hunting and getting a taste of Moscow peasant life. But when the time comes to return to Moscow society, temptation crosses her path, and she finds her love for Andrei tested.

Nikolai's romance with the impoverished Sonya is also under pressure. Countess Rostova wishes her son to marry into wealth and has a new candidate in mind with a huge fortune behind her. Anna Mikhailovna is on the lookout for an heiress to marry Boris, too - although he is more concerned to move up in society. His unwitting patron is Pierre, who is growing steadily more depressed about his failure to find meaning in his life. Marya is unhappy too, when her father's behaviour takes a cruel turn for the worse.

Available now

1 hour

Audio described

Last on

Sun 24 Jan 2016 21:00

Credits

Role Contributor
Pierre Bezukhov Paul Dano
Natasha Rostova Lily James
Andrei Bolkonsky James Norton
Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky Jim Broadbent
Uncle Mikhail Kenneth Cranham
Boris Drubetskoy Aneurin Barnard
Marya Bolkonskaya Jessie Buckley
Fedya Dolokhov Tom Burke
Count Ilya Rostov Adrian Edmondson
Anisya Kate Fleetwood
Anna Drubetskaya Rebecca Front
Bilibin Rory Keenan
Sonya Rostova Aisling Loftus
Nikolai Rostov Jack Lowden
Helene Bezukhova Tuppence Middleton
Julie Karagina Chloe Pirrie
Mademoiselle Bourienne Olivia Ross
Countess Natalya Rostova Greta Scacchi
Anatole Kuragin Callum Turner
Writer Andrew Davies
Producer Julia Stannard
Director Tom Harper

Broadcast

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Meet the characters...

Discover the characters featured in Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel.

Gallery