Britain's Greatest Codebreaker

The story

Alan Turing is the genius British mathematician who was instrumental in breaking the German naval Enigma Code during World War II, arguably saving millions of lives. Turing's achievements went unrecognised during his lifetime. Instead he ended up being treated as a common criminal, for being homosexual at a time when homosexual acts were a crime. In 1952, he was convicted of 'gross indecency' with another man and was forced to undergo so-called 'organo-therapy' - chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he'd done so much to save.

Cast & crew

Ed StoppardAlan Turing

Henry GoodmanFranz Greenbaum

Paul McGannHimself - Narrator (voice)

Asa Briggs

Asa BriggsHimself - Codebreaker, Bletchley Park

Jean Valentine

Jean ValentineHerself - WRNS and Bombe Operator, Bletchley Park

David Leavitt

David LeavittHimself - Alan Turing's Biographer

Rolf Noskwith

Rolf NoskwithHimself - Codebreaker, Bletchley Park

Dermot Turing

Dermot TuringHimself - Alan Turing's Nephew

Christopher Morcom

Christopher MorcomHimself - Christopher Morcom's Nephew (as Christopher Morcom QC)

Ian StewartHimself - University of Warwick (as Professor Ian Stewart)