4 Extra Debut. Jack Aubrey gains promotion and is to lead a squadron of ships against the French. Naval epic set in 1809, starring David Robb.

Patrick O'Brian's naval epic set in 1809, dramatised in three parts by Roger Danes. Starring David Robb as Captain Jack Aubrey and Richard Dillane as Doctor Stephen Maturin.

Following his adventures in HMS Surprise, Jack Aubrey has been kicking his heels at home when his old friend, Stephen Maturin, comes knocking at his door with welcome news. Jack is promoted to Commodore, and is to lead a squadron of English ships, charged with taking the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and Réunion from the French.

In the course of the novel Jack must succeed against superior odds at sea and on land. Yet, in his new role as Commodore, Jack will need subtlety and subterfuge to win over the crews and subordinate captains of his own fleet.

Based on a naval campaign in 1809-10 when Britain and France were bitterly engaged in protecting their trade routes around the southern tip of Africa.

The Mauritius Command is the fourth novel in Patrick O'Brian's Nelsonic epic series, and the sequel to HMS Surprise which was dramatised for Radio 4 in 2008.

Captain Jack Aubrey ................... DAVID ROBB

Doctor Stephen Maturin .......... ...RICHARD DILLANE

Governor Farquhar ..................... DAVID RINTOUL

Lt-Col Keating ............ .......THOMAS ARNOLD

Lord Clonfert................................ SAM DALE

Captain Corbett................. ....CHRISTIAN RODSKA

Lt Seymour ....................... ...MAX DOWLER

Midshipman George Johnson ....... NYASHA HATENDI

Dr McAdam/Admiral Bertie.......... .SEAN BAKER

Captain Pym............................... BRIAN BOWLES

Mrs. Williams ............................ JOANNA MONRO

Sophie....................................... SALLY ORROCK

Producer/director: Bruce Young

Producer Bruce Young.