The Hollow Crown, BBC2: Benedict Cumberbatch, The Wars of the Roses, and four things you need to know

The BBC have pulled together an incredible cast for their Shakespeare adaptations
Ben Travis7 May 2016

The BBC’s Shakespeare celebrations are continuing in the 400th anniversary year of his death – and the latest TV special is the most exciting yet.

The Hollow Crown is returning – the series which sees Shakespeare’s historical plays get a brand new lease of life with a stellar cast taking on some of the playwright’s most famous characters.

The last series aired in 2012, with the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons and Ben Whishaw involved – and now three more feature-length episodes are about to arrive.

BBC/Carnival Film & Television Ltd/Robert Viglasky

Here’s everything you need to know about the new series of The Hollow Crown.

1) The cast is absolutely jaw-dropping

Let’s get this out of the way early on – the BBC have assembled perhaps the greatest TV cast you’ll see this year.

Benedict Cumberbatch is stepping into the ruthless role of Richard III, Judi Dench is starring as Cecily, Duchess of York, Keeley Hawes – fresh from her shocking return and demise in Line of Duty – is here as Elizabeth Woodville. Even Lord Grantham himself, Hugh Bonneville, is in the series.

There’s also Tom Sturridge as Henry VI, Sophie Okonedo as Queen Margaret, Philip Glenister, Sally Hawkins, some bloke called Michael Gambon… we could list names all day.

2) Series 2 covers four plays duing The Wars of the Roses

Well, sort of. The first two episodes will follow the plot of Henry VI, split into three distinct plays, leading into Richard III in Episode 3.

The series has been subtitled ‘The Wars of the Roses’ as the plays surround the historical conflict which saw the Houses of Lancaster and York battle for control of the throne.

The Wars of the Roses are one of the key influences on A Song of Ice and Fire – so Game of Thrones fans should get a kick out of The Hollow Crown.

The Hollow Crown - meet the jaw-dropping cast

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3) Benedict Cumberbatch isn’t in it until Episode 2

Calm down, Cumber-fans – you’ve got another week until you see him back on the Beeb.

Still, he’ll be worth the wait as one of Shakespeare’s most nefarious characters, Richard III. Expect murder, and machinations a-plenty as he does everything he can to rise to power.

4) Expect some full-on blood and violence

Shakespeare didn’t shy away from violence in his historical plays, and Richard III in particular is brutal. As with the previous Hollow Crown series, this is a fairly visceral and full-blooded adaptation – so expect bloody battle sequences and gory moments.

It’s not gratuitous though – it’s there to highlight the juxtaposition between the political decisions being made in relatively safely, and the horrific consequences they can have.

BBC Two, Saturday, 9pm

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