About this season
Martin Shaw stars as Cecil Rhodes, the man whose controversial career included the creation of de Beers, the addition of nearly one million square miles to the Britain's African Empire, and had given his name to a country (Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe) larger than most of Europe. Martin Shaw's son plays the younger Rhodes and other cast members include Neil Pearson, Frances Barber and Ken Stott.
Episodes (8)
1. All the World's Diamonds
Aired 15 September 1996 • 45 min
Seventeen years old Cecil Rhodes joins his brother in the rush for diamonds in southern Africa, where he outwits his fellow prospectors, reorganizes the workforce and forms a breath-taking vision to extend the British Empire from the Cape to Cairo.
2. All the World's Gold
Aired 22 September 1996 • 45 min
Rhodes invites a young clerk to oversee his business interests while he takes his seat in the Cape parliament.
3. The Place of the Killing
Aired 29 September 1996 • 45 min
Rhodes outwits his greatest rival, Barney Barnato, with a brilliant scheme.
4. The Price of My Blood
Aired 6 October 1996 • 45 min
Has Rhodes's scheme to outwit Lobengula backfired?
5. The Chameleon and the Fly
Aired 13 October 1996 • 45 min
Determined to expand north in search of gold, Rhodes orders his pioneer column, a private army, to enter Mashonaland.
6. Land, Gold and Loot
Aired 20 October 1996 • 45 min
Provoked beyond endurance by Dr. Jameson, Lobengula finally wages war on Rhodes's private army.
7. Upsetting the Apple Cart
Aired 27 October 1996 • 45 min
Rhodes conspires against Kruger and the Boers. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in Rhodesia and Princess Radziwill continues to gather proof of Rhodes's past crimes.
8. The Reckoning
Aired 3 November 1996 • 45 min
Rhodes has to battle against his two greatest enemies - his health, which is failing fast, and Princess Radziwill, who is determined to hound him to the last.