Evelina & Dear Little Burney

Synopsis

A BBC radio drama adaptation of Fanny Burney’s best-known novel, plus a dramatisation of her diariesBefore Jane Austen, there was Fanny Burney. In the 1780s, she was England’s most celebrated female author, having achieved extraordinary success with two hit novels. She went on to become a royal servant, marry an exile from the French Revolution and undergo a gruelling mastectomy without the aid of anaesthetic – all events chronicled in her diaries, which were published posthumously to great acclaim. Contained here are dramatisations of her first and most famous novel, and her remarkable journals and letters.Evelina – Initially published anonymously, Fanny Burney’s witty epistolary account of a young woman’s introduction to the beau monde took Georgian London by storm. Brought up by her guardian since her mother died in childbirth and her father refused to acknowledge her, Evelina has spent her childhood in rural seclusion. But a letter from her grandmother and an invitation to London lead her into the dangerous and unfamiliar world of the Ton, where she meets a collection of fops, dandies and dastardly rakes – as well as the dashing Lord Orville. Can she navigate the traps and challenges of fashionable society to find true love? Laura Doddington stars as Evelina in this 10-part dramatisation of Burney’s satirical comedy of manners.Dear Little Burney – Beginning in 1778, when Evelina catapulted Fanny Burney to fame, this 15-part adaptation of her letters and diaries vividly portrays the most momentous events of her extraordinary life. From adjusting to her sudden celebrity to becoming wardrobe mistress to Queen Charlotte, witnessing George III’s madness, spending ten years in France during the Napoleonic Wars and enduring an agonising operation, we are swept up in her joys, anxieties and disappointments – and given an intimate glimpse into everyday life in 18th century London and Paris. Starring Juliet Aubrey as Fanny, with Timothy West, Eleanor Bron, Robert Whelan and June Barrie.Evelina first published in 1778Diaries and letters first published 1842-1846Production creditsWritten by Fanny BurneyAdapted by Jennifer HowarthProduced and directed by Sara DaviesCast EvelinaEvelina – Laura DoddingtonMr Villars – Philip ManikumCaroline/Mrs Mirvan/Prostitute – Jacqueline TongLady Howard/Mrs Selwyn – Phyllida NashMr Lovel/Mr McCartney – John MackayLord Orville – Ian KellySir Clement Willoughby – Andrew CollinsCaptain Mirvan/Sir John Belmont – Mark BufferyMadame Duval – Stephanie ColeMr Branghton – Chris HarrisTom Branghton – Stuart CrossmanPolly Esther – Ruth ElliottMonsieur du Bois/Officer/Coachman – James AndersonDear Little BurneyFanny – Juliet AubreyGeorge III – Timothy WestQueen Charlotte – Eleanor BronSusan – Kate SeawardDr Burney – Robert WhelanCharles/George – Chris GarnerMrsThrale – Liz MorganMr Fairly/Mr Kemble – Andrew HiltonPrince of Wales – Andrew CollinsMrs De!any/Mrs Siddons – June BarrieLowndes – David CollinsGent!eman – Paul DodgsonMiss Dewe – Caitlin HobbsDr Johnson – Bill WallisMrs Schwellenberg – Kim Hicksd'Arblay – Thierry HarcourtWith Cornelius Garrett, Claire Marchionne, Angela Barlow, Ric Jerrom, Rob Hutchinson and Joshua Boyden© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd