Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

1. The King's Matter

Episode 1 of 2

4 Extra Debut. Two men are determined to persuade the King from a marriage they feel isn’t only unsuitable but also wrong. Stars Jim Broadbent.

Stanley Baldwin and Cosmo Lang are determined that Edward VIII will not turn back the clock and impose his will on the governance of England by marrying the American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

If Edward and Mrs Simpson were to have their way, the Church of England would suffer disestablishment and the national government would collapse.

In essence, this is the story of two men determined to persuade the King from a marriage they feel is not only unsuitable - but also wrong.

Starring Jim Broadbent, Hugh Ross and Anthony Calf.

Christopher Lee’s exploration of Edward VIII’s abdication crisis.

Stanley Baldwin ...... Jim Broadbent
Cosmo Lang ...... Hugh Ross
Edward VIII ...... Anthony Calf
Lord Beaverbrook ...... Mark Straker
Chaplain ...... Michael Jayston
Mary ...... Kika Markham

The concluding episode is told from the point of view of Wallis Simpson, as imagined from the memoirs of those based with her in the south of France at that time.

Director: Celia de Wolff

A Pier production for ±«Óãtv Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2016.

44 minutes

Last on

Fri 18 Jun 2021 03:00

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from Abdication

Credits

Role Contributor
Stanley Baldwin Jim Broadbent
Cosmo Lang Hugh Ross
Lord Beaverbrook Mark Straker
Chaplain Michael Jayston
Mary Kika Markham
Edward VIII Anthony Calf
Writer Christopher Lee
Director Celia de Wolff
Producer Celia de Wolff

Broadcasts

  • Thu 8 Dec 2016 14:15
  • Thu 16 Aug 2018 14:15
  • Thu 17 Jun 2021 10:00
  • Thu 17 Jun 2021 15:00
  • Fri 18 Jun 2021 03:00