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About Sybil, or the Two Nations

Benjamin Disraeli’s powerful, polemical story of love across the class divide Chosen by The Guardian as one of the best 100 novels of all time, Disraeli’s classic 1845 ‘condition-of-England’ novel exposes the inequality and exploitation endemic in 19th century Britain, and the vast gulf between the haves and the have-nots. It centres on Charles Egremont, a member of the landed gentry and newly elected MP. With a glittering future ahead of him, he is in need of a suitable wife, and his brother, the Earl of Marney, is keen that he should marry Lady Joan Fitz-Warene. The heiress to Mowbray Castle, she brings with her a considerable fortune: but from the moment Charles sets eyes on Sybil Gerard in the ruins of Marney Abbey, he can think of no-one else. Sybil is beautiful, graceful and ethereal – and the daughter of a Yorkshire millworker. When her father, a militant Chartist, shares with Charles his theory of the ‘two nations’ of rich and poor, Charles’ eyes are opened, and he disguises himself as a reporter to investigate the plight of the working classes. As he falls deeper in love with Sybil, and discovers what life is really like for the less fortunate, he determines to use his position to effect change. But those in power are not easily swayed, nor is Sybil’s heart easily won... Starring Richard Derrington as Charles, with Sorcha Cusack as Sybil, this absorbing historical drama vividly evokes both the luxurious life of the aristocracy and the grinding poverty of the farm labourers, miners and factory workers struggling for existence on the other side of the social divide. Production credits Written by Benjamin Disraeli Dramatised by Frederick Bradnum Directed by Vanessa Whitburn Episode List: 1: Marney Town and Marney Abbey 2: Mowbray Town and Mowbray Castle 3: Mowedale and Hellhouse 4: The Chartists and the Aristocracy 5: Love and Conspiracy 6: Of Destruction and Reconciliation Cast Charles Egremont – Richard Derrington Walter Gerard – Alan Doble Lord Marney – Michael N Harbour Stephen Morley – Terry Molloy Benjamin Disraeli – Richard Pasco Lady Marney/Lady Deloraine – Patricia Gallimore Arabella Marney – Kathryn Hurlbutt Sir Vavasour Firebrace – Robert Dorning Mother Superior – Penelope Lee Taper/Bingley/Sinister man – David Vann Tadpole – David Peart Mr Pugh – Bill Bellamy Lord Milford/Brewer – Kim Durham Captain Grouse/Lawyer – Scott Cherry Mountchesney/Constable/Tanner/Field – Peter Harlowe Berneers/Peer/Youth – Jonathan Owen Lord Mowbray/Juggins – Stephen Hancock Lady Joan/Caroline – Elizabeth Proud Lady Maud/Harriet – Hedli Niklaus Lady Mowbray – Eileen Barry Aubrey St Lys – Clive Marlowe Dandy Mick/Youth – Paul Copley Devilsdust – Alan Devereux Chaffing Jack/Police Inspector – William Eedle Widow Carey – Mary Wimbush Mrs Warner – Pauline Siddle Maria/Dame – Carole Boyd Bishop Hatton – Roger Hume Mrs Hatton – Joyce Latham Nixon/Jermyn/Diggs – James Kerry Mr Trafford/Waghorne/Sergeant – Michael Bilton Mrs Trafford – Shirley Stelfox Scrubbynose – David Conner Baptist Hatton – Peter Tuddenham Julia – Anna Lindup Girls and boys of Mowedale and Hellhouse – Members of the Forest Youth Theatre, Walsall First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 13 November-18 December 1983 © 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd