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Thomas Keneally, Dan Stevens, 25 years of Michael Palin's TV travels

Australian writer Thomas Keneally on his new novel, set in the 1914-18 war, plus Michael Palin's 25 years of television travels and actor Dan Stevens on Broadway and Downton Abbey.

With Mark Lawson.

Thomas Keneally, who won the Booker Prize for Schindler's Ark, discusses the inspiration for his new novel The Daughters of Mars. Set in 1915, the book focuses on two Australian sisters who join the war effort as nurses, bringing a guilty family secret with them. Keneally talks about his technique of taking historic subjects and showing them from an individual perspective.

Dan Stevens, best known for his role as Matthew Crawley in ITV's Downton Abbey, is making his first appearance on Broadway. He plays the charming suitor Morris Townsend in a revival of The Heiress, a play based on Henry James' novel Washington Square. He reflects on making Broadway history as the first actor to take a break from performing to judge the Man Booker prize.

Michael Palin's career after Monty Python has taken him literally around the world. For 25 years he has been making travel documentaries, starting with Great Railway Journeys of the World, and his latest series takes him to Brazil. Rebecca Nicholson and Chris Dunkley discuss Palin's global exploration over the decades.

Producer Olivia Skinner.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Thomas Keneally

    Booker Prize-winning writer Thomas Keneally discusses his new book The Daughters of Mars

    Duration: 11:30

  • Michael Palin in Brazil

    A review of Michael Palin's new travel programme in which he explores Brazil

    Duration: 07:24

  • Dan Stevens

    Actor Dan Stevens on Broadway and Downton Abbey

    Duration: 08:48

Broadcast

  • Wed 24 Oct 2012 19:15

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