Blood, Sex and Money

In this award-winning BBC Radio series, Glenda Jackson brings to life Émile Zola’s epic saga of the Rougon-Macquart family, first published between 1870 and 1893. The innovative adaptation introduces Dide, a 104-year-old matriarch confined to an asylum, who reflects on her "family of wolves" — two dynasties that embody the complexities of 19th-century French society. Exploring themes of blood, sex, and money across three seasons, the series provides a vivid portrayal of France's Second Empire and its societal transformations, while also featuring a bonus programme that delves into Zola's life and literary impact.