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About Evelina & Dear Little Burney

A BBC radio drama adaptation of Fanny Burney’s best-known novel, plus a dramatisation of her diaries Before 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 1778 Diaries and letters first published 1842-1846 Production credits Written by Fanny Burney Adapted by Jennifer Howarth Produced and directed by Sara Davies Cast Evelina Evelina – Laura Doddington Mr Villars – Philip Manikum Caroline/Mrs Mirvan/Prostitute – Jacqueline Tong Lady Howard/Mrs Selwyn – Phyllida Nash Mr Lovel/Mr McCartney – John Mackay Lord Orville – Ian Kelly Sir Clement Willoughby – Andrew Collins Captain Mirvan/Sir John Belmont – Mark Buffery Madame Duval – Stephanie Cole Mr Branghton – Chris Harris Tom Branghton – Stuart Crossman Polly Esther – Ruth Elliott Monsieur du Bois/Officer/Coachman – James Anderson Dear Little Burney Fanny – Juliet Aubrey George III – Timothy West Queen Charlotte – Eleanor Bron Susan – Kate Seaward Dr Burney – Robert Whelan Charles/George – Chris Garner MrsThrale – Liz Morgan Mr Fairly/Mr Kemble – Andrew Hilton Prince of Wales – Andrew Collins Mrs De!any/Mrs Siddons – June Barrie Lowndes – David Collins Gent!eman – Paul Dodgson Miss Dewe – Caitlin Hobbs Dr Johnson – Bill Wallis Mrs Schwellenberg – Kim Hicks d'Arblay – Thierry Harcourt With Cornelius Garrett, Claire Marchionne, Angela Barlow, Ric Jerrom, Rob Hutchinson and Joshua Boyden © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd