2. Darkness Falls
Entranced by Lily’s charms, Nick struggles with his feelings for Alison and things become darker at Bourani. Stars Tom Burke.
Entranced by the charms of Lily, Nick struggles with his feelings for Alison, while things become increasingly dark and ominous at Bourani as Conchis continues his story.
John Fowles’ cult novel dramatised by Adrian Hodges.
Starring Tom Burke, Charles Dance and Hayley Atwell.
Nicholas Urfe, a young British graduate runs away from his monotonous life to take up a teaching post on the small Greek island of Phraxos. There he meets the enigmatic figure of Maurice Conchis and slowly gets drawn into a world full of strange encounters and elaborate tricks on Conchis’s estate at Bourani.
When Conchis introduces Nicholas to the enchanting and mysterious Lily Montgomery who bears a striking resemblance to Conchis’s long dead fiancée, reality and illusion begin to intertwine, but what strange game is Conchis playing with Nicholas? Moreover, in this world coloured by artifice and deception, who is really telling him the truth?
Nick ….. Tom Burke
Conchis ….. Charles Dance
Lily ….. Hayley Atwell
Alison ….. Anna Skellern
Margaret ….. Josie Taylor
Anton ….. Maarten Dannenberg
German Colonel ….. Bodo Friesecke
Greek Resistance Fighter ….. Andreas Karras
Harpsichordist: Maggie Cole
Written by John Fowles
Adapted by Adrian Hodges
Producer: Heather Larmour
First broadcast on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 in March 2016.
On radio
![]()
Secret rooms and double identities. There's a nightmarish quality to John Fowles’ novel.
![]()
"I offer you an entire war in one second"
Conchis (Charles Dance) and Nicholas Urfe (Tom Burke) play a high-stakes game of dice.
Clip
-
![]()
Hayley Atwell: "It's weird and wonderful"
Duration: 02:14
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Nick | Tom Burke |
| Conchis | Charles Dance |
| Lily | Hayley Atwell |
| Alison | Anna Skellern |
| Margaret | Josie Taylor |
| Anton | Maarten Dannenberg |
| German Colonel | Bodo Friesecke |
| Greek Resistance Fighter | Andreas Karras |
| Author | John Fowles |
| Adaptor | Adrian Hodges |
| Director | Heather Larmour |
| Producer | Heather Larmour |
Broadcasts
Sun 27 Mar 2016 15:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4- Sat 2 Apr 2016 21:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4
- Tue 3 Nov 2020 10:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 3 Nov 2020 15:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 4 Nov 2020 03:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 6 Nov 2025 15:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 6 Nov 2025 21:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 7 Nov 2025 05:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
The Shakespeare Sessions
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s world