The Pillow Book: Series 1-11 cover art

The Pillow Book: Series 1-11

A Full-Cast Historical Crime Drama

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The Pillow Book: Series 1-11

By: Robert Forrest
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch, Cal MacAninch, full cast, Mark Bazeley, Ruth Gemmell
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About this listen

A thriller and love story set in 10th-century Japan.

Lady Shonagon is an imperial courtesan, living at the court of the Japanese Emperor in the 10th century. When a series of disturbing thefts within the palace walls throws the court into confusion and unrest, Shonagon is appointed guide and assistant to Lieutenant Yukinari as he investigates.

Together, Shonagon and Yukinari must solve the mysteries and escalating crimes that plague the Japanese court, and their romance blossoms in the tightly enclosed world behind the high palace walls. But soon Shonagon's lover Tadanobu becomes uncomfortable with how closely they are working together....

The Pillow Book is inspired by the writings of Sei Shonagon, a poet and lady-in-waiting to the empress of the 10th-century Japanese court. The work of the real-life Sei Shonagon consists of essays, lists, anecdotes, poems, and descriptive passages about her daily life.

This full-cast drama stars Ruth Gemmell as Sei Shonagon, with Yukinari played by Mark Bazeley in series 1-3 and Cal Macaninch in series 4-11. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Tadanobu in series 1.

Directed by Lu Kemp.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Historical Thriller & Suspense
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Brilliant production, Wonderful music, poetry and atmosphere- but if you are expecting a book of the ground-breaking erotic Peter Greenway movie you will be disappointed. It is very different but beautiful in its own right. It’s anachronistic modern English accented depictions of traditional Japan characters makes one want to know who the cast is that have so admirably executed such a different and difficult task. I would like to know more about the production and cast... Why is it impossible to find a Printed list of the full cast and crew? I expect that the cast are not happy that they are missing out on being publicly credited.

Well done- but who are the cast?

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