Episode 1

In a snow-changed city in the middle of an Ice Age on an alien world, one young man prepares for the biggest mission of his life. Alone and unarmed, Genly Ai has been sent from Earth to persuade the world of Gethen to join The Ekumen, a union of planets. But it’s a task fraught with danger. Genly is shocking to the natives. This is a world in which humans are ambigendered – everyone can be a mother, and everyone can be a father.

First Minister Estraven is the only person who champions Genly’s cause, but their relationship is deeply incomprehensible and troubling. Genly’s life is at risk and he must decide who to trust.

Sci-fi with incredible humanity from brilliant feminist writer, Ursula Le Guin.

This is the first dramatisation of her 1969 novel, which is as groundbreaking in its approach to gender as when it was first published over 45 years ago.

Adapted in two parts by Judith Adams.

Genly Ai…..Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Estraven…..Lesley Sharp
Argaven…..Toby Jones
Tibe…..Louise Brealey
Faxe…..Noma Dumezweni
Ashe…..Ruth Gemmell
Ong Tot…..Adjoa Andoh
Shusgis…..Stephen Critchlow
Obsle…..David Acton
Driver…..David Hounslow
Guard…..Rhiannon Neads

Director: Allegra McIlroy

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2015.