Full-cast dramatisations and original plays and stories from the award-winning author, plus bonus documentary

Bernardine Evaristo won the Booker Prize 2019 with her novel, Girl, Woman, Other. The author of ten books and numerous essays, literary criticism, poetry and drama, her 2013 novel Mr Loverman was adapted into an eight-part BBC 1 TV drama series in 2024. She has received over 80 awards, honours and nominations and was elected President of the Royal Society of Literature 2022-2025. Featured here are some of her most innovative works, as well as an illuminating documentary about her life and career.

The Emperor’s Babe – Set in AD 211, this drama adaptation of Evaristo’s 2001 verse novel, follows Zuleika, of Nubian heritage, who grows up wild and adventurous in Roman London and has a dangerous affair with the Roman emperor, Septimius Severus. Michelle Asante stars in this passionate, playful and subversive reimagining of ancient history.

Hello Mum – Fourteen-year-old Jerome grows up on a rough housing estate and makes a mistake that has disastrous consequences. Now he needs his mother to understand why - and what the world looks like through his eyes. A powerfully moving tale adapted from Evaristo’s 2010 novella and starring Nadine Marshall, Jude Akuwudike and Alex Lanipekun.

Madam Bitterfly and the Stockwell Diva - Feisty South Londoner, Charmayne, is determined to make it big in Hollywood – no matter what it takes… Petra Letang stars in this wickedly comical take on the hierarchy of colour, told in verse.

Medea – Mapping the Edge – Three writers: Amanda Dalton, Alison Fell and Evaristo, wrote three versions of the Medea myth featuring characters from Greece, Yemen and Yorkshire, which were integrated into a stunning and unique single drama. Originally staged as a promenade theatre production by Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, with WilsonWilson Company. Dalton adapted it for radio. Starring June Broughton, Sara Powell and Lexi Strauss.

On Top of the World – A woman's feelings of alienation and isolation lead her to the frozen landscape of the beautiful Arctic. Read by Adjoa Andoh.

London Choral Celestial Jazz – Bernardine Evaristo reads her own experimental verse short story, inspired by Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, and featuring four very different Black women who navigate the high-octane, adrenaline-charged streets of contemporary London.

Profile: Bernardine Evaristo – Bernardine Evaristo is the subject of this radio documentary about her life, presented by Mark Coles.

Original Text copyright © Bernardine Evaristo 2001 (The Emperor’s Babe), 2003 (Madam Bitterfly and the Stockwell Diva), 2005 (On Top of the World), 2010 (Hello Mum), 2014 (London Choral Celestial Jazz), 2003 (Medea – Mapping the Edge) text copyright © Amanda Dalton, Alison Fell and Bernardine Evaristo.

Cast and credits
Written by Bernardine Evaristo

The Emperor’s Babe
Zuleika – Michelle Asante
Felix – Paul Chahidi
Alba – Alex Tregear
Valeria – Hannah Wood
Tranio – Rick Warden
Severus – Terence Anderson
Adapted by Jonathan Holloway

Hello Mum
Kimisi – Nadine Marshall
Keith – Jude Akuwudike
Dexter – Alex Lanipekun

Madam Bitterfly and the Stockwell Diva
Charmayne – Petra Letang
Sonia – Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Hortense – Dona Croll
Rhona – Stephanie Turner
Keisha – Clare Perkins
Principal – Martin Hyder

Medea – Mapping the Edge
Mildred – June Broughton
Young Mildred – Tassia Messimeris
Jamal – Sushil Chudasama
Gerald – Martin Pirongs
Nadia – Sara Powell
Jason – Danny Seward
Maddy – Lexi Strauss
Texan – Deka Walmsley
Narrator – David Fleeshman

On Top of the World
Read by Adjoa Andoh

London Choral Celestial Jazz
Read by Bernardine Evaristo

Profile: Bernardine Evaristo
Presented by Mark Coles
About Bernardine Evaristo

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