There are also roles for Mark Gatiss, Jack Lowden and Richard Wilson, and a reimagining of Local Hero.
The BBC have commissioned a number of new radio dramas for BBC Radio 4. Top of the list is The Fever, which sees Cate Blanchett take on her first major radio drama role.
The Fever
Cate Blanchett will deliver a blistering 90-minute monologue in an adaptation of Wallace Shawn’s critically acclaimed play. She’ll play an unnamed woman from a privileged background who falls ill in a civil war-torn country and plummets into a feverish self-examination. Surrounded by poverty, the tortured traveller’s thoughts turn inward, contemplating her ethical relationship with the world and impact her life has had.
The Fever airs on 19th April, 15:00 – 16:30.
Limelight
The channel has also announced more Limelight audio dramas. The series aims to bring podcast dramas to new audiences.
Central Intelligence Series Two
The hit podcast drama Central Intelligence, from Goldhawk Productions, dramatizes the true insider story of the CIA from the perspective of Eloise Page, one of the agency’s most powerful women.
This series explores the next decade of the CIA’s history as the Cold War heats up and covers events including the failed US-backed invasion of Cuba and the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Kim Cattrall stars alongside Ed Harris and Johnny Flynn.
Central Intelligence Series Two begins on 20th June, 14:15 – 14:45.
Pretender Prince
Jack Lowden narrates the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie, a man who believes he is born to be King of Great Britain and to put the Catholic Stuarts back on their rightful throne.
This five-part series tells of his doomed attempt to claim the throne and his dramatic escape. Lorn Macdonald stars as Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Pretender Prince begins on 16th May 14:15 – 14:45, with all episodes available on BBC Sounds from that date.
Discretion
Maria Kossecka (Sinead Keenan), newly appointed Deputy Head of Mission in a former Soviet state, arrives in the country on the eve of a contentious presidential election that seems likely to install a pro-Western candidate. However, after spending an evening where she and her new boss, Ambassador James Reid (Kevin McNally), entertain this new man of the hour, Maria wakes to find he has been killed – his plane brought down in what looks like a targeted attack. Will Maria uncover the truth before civil unrest escalates?
The five-part series is by writers Chris Brandon and Davy Banks. It comes from Hat Trick Productions and executive producer Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty).
Discretion begins on 11th April, 14:15 – 14:45, with the entire series available as a box set on BBC Sounds on that date too.
Also. the upcoming the BBC Radio 4 drama slate includes:
The Talented Mr Shakespeare
Mark Gatiss will star as Sir Robert Cecil in The Talented Mr Shakespeare, a comic drama about the rivalry between William Shakespeare (Tom Mothersdale) and Christopher Marlowe (Arthur Hughes). It is Wilf Scolding’s first writing and directing credit for Radio 4 and is produced by Perfectly Normal Productions.
The drama follows Shakespeare, a talented but incredibly pompous writer, as he stumbles home alone after being thrown out of the pub for drunken disorderliness, whilst Marlowe plots to kill him.
The Talented Mr Shakespeare begins on 7th May, 14:15 – 15:00.
King Lear
Shakespeare fans can also look forward to a new adaptation of King Lear starring Richard Wilson, from Brill Productions.
The play will be broadcast in two one-hour parts, and features music from world-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis. Greta Scacchi as Goneril, Trevor Fox as the Fool and Jos Vantyler as Edgar, with further casting to be announced.
King Lear begins on 8th June, 15:00 – 16:00.
Local Hero
Radio 4 has also commissioned Local Hero, a radio reimagining of Bill Forsyth’s 1983 film by Bafflegab Productions.
Texan energy company executive Mac MacIntyre (Harry Lloyd) is dispatched to the tiny Scottish fishing village of Ferness to buy out the town for an oil refinery. However, the village works unexpected magic on Mac, leading him to realize that not everything of value is for sale.
The cast also includes Greg McHugh, Sophie Kennedy Clark and Clive Russell.
Local Hero airs on 27th April, 15:00 – 16:00.
Casino Royale
Plus, there’s the tenth of the channel’s James Bond dramatisations by Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres. The adaptation of Ian Fleming’s 1953 spy thriller stars Toby Stephens as James Bond.
Bond is tasked with bankrupting Le Chiffre at baccarat, leading to a thrilling confrontation at the Casino Royale.
Stephens is joined by Susannah Fielding as Vesper Lynd, Hugh Bonneville as Le Chiffre, while Martin Jarvis narrates as Ian Fleming.
Casino Royale airs on 20th April, 15:00 – 16:00.