Defoe: Merchant, Writer, Convict, Spy
Ben Miles is Daniel Defoe in Philip Palmer's drama about the great writer's earlier years, when he was a hack, political meddler, spy, as well as inmate at Newgate gaol.
Throughout his life Daniel Defoe was never far from trouble and died hiding from creditors. Philip Palmer's biographical drama tells the story of a man trying to survive in an extremely hard world; of how he wrote his way out of trouble in prison, came to the attention of one of the most powerful men in England, and became a spy for the government in the lead up to the Act of Union.
Director: Sasha Yevtushenko.
Last on
![]()
Moll Flanders
Jessica Hynes plays the woman who inspired Daniel Defoe's eponymous heroine.
![]()
A Journal of the Plague Year
Ben Miles stars as Daniel Defoe, writing his fictional documentary of the Great Plague.
Clip
-
![]()
Writer, Daniel Defoe is at a loss for words
Duration: 00:37
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Daniel Defoe | Ben Miles |
| Mary Defoe | Niamh Cusack |
| Robert Harley | Pip Torrens |
| Gaoler | Nick Underwood |
| Gaoler | Brian Protheroe |
| Director | Sasha Yevtushenko |
| Writer | Philip Palmer |
Broadcast
- Fri 8 Jul 2016 14:15±«Óãtv Radio 4
Bang To Writes: The Literary Greats Who Did Jail Time
Writers jailed for crimes from vandalism to murder sometimes make the best of it.
Bang To Writes
The Literary Greats Who Did Jail Time
The secret life of Daniel Defoe
Merchant, political agent, journalist, propagandist and spy.
Defoe: The Facts and the Fictions
Mark Lawson presents a documentary exploring the far-reaching influence of Daniel Defoe.