Hot on the heels of HBO Television's wildly successful Game of Thrones fantasy series, comes another period tv drama series, this one a collaboration between American PBS and the BBC.
The Hollow Crown is a new series of filmed adaptations of four of Shakespeare’s most gripping history plays; Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V, brought to television in what promises to be a lavish production of the Bard's timeless works as full-on films on striking location with large numbers of extras.
This state-of-the-art story-telling chronicles a bloody tale of family, politics and power — bringing the rise and fall of three Kings and how their destiny shaped English history to life.
Richard II (Ben Whishaw) is a vain, self-indulgent man who rules with little regard for his people’s welfare. He is ultimately overthrown by his cousin Bolingbroke (Rory Kinnear), who ascends the throne as Henry IV (Jeremy Irons). Henry IV’s reign is marred by his own guilt over Richard’s death, civil war, and the gnawing fear that his son Hal (Tom Hiddleston) is a total wastrel unworthy of the throne. When Hal comes to the throne as Henry V he is left to bury the ghosts of his father’s past while fighting both the French forces as well as his own inner demons.
Pippa Harris, who serves as Executive Producer with Co-executive Producer Sam Mendes at London-based Neal Street Productions (makers of Call the Midwife, Revolutionary Road, Middlemarch), explains: “The Hollow Crown shows the trials and tribulations and the murderous backdrop behind our own history. Whilst these four plays collectively say so much about Britain, the global appeal of Shakespeare is never-ending. Our phenomenal cast and crew have brought a vivid and inspirational edge to Shakespeare for a worldwide audience.”
Downton Abbey Producer Gareth Neame, Executive Producer for NBCUniversal International and Managing Director of Carnival Films (a division of NBCU International) says, “This is an exciting new cycle of Shakespeare history plays, with stunning performances by a range of wonderful actors. NBCUniversal International is delighted to have been a part of bringing these ambitious productions to the screen.”
An educators' guide provides a superb series of infographics, perfect for today's multi-media classroom.
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