Richard II (The Hollow Crown)

"Richard II"
The Hollow Crown episode
Episode no.Series 1
Episode 1
Directed byRupert Goold
Teleplay by
Based onRichard II
by William Shakespeare
Featured musicAdam Cork
Cinematography byDanny Cohen
Editing byTrevor Waite
Original air date30 June 2012 (2012-06-30)
Running time148 minutes
Episode chronology
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"Henry IV, Part I"

"Richard II" is first episode of the first series of the British television series The Hollow Crown, based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. "Richard II" was directed by Rupert Goold, who adapted the screenplay with Ben Power. Ben Whishaw stars as the titular Richard II of England. It was first broadcast on 30 June 2012 on BBC Two.[1]

Whishaw's performance earned him the 2013 British Academy Television Award (BAFTA) for Leading Actor. The program was also nominated for the Best Single Drama award.[2]

Cast

Production

St David's Cathedral during the filming of "Richard II" in June 2011

The BBC scheduled the screening of Shakespeare's history plays as part of 2012's Cultural Olympiad, a celebration of British culture coinciding with the 2012 Summer Olympics.[3] Sam Mendes signed up as executive producer to adapt all four of Shakespeare's tetralogy (Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2 and Henry V) in September 2010.[4] He is joined as executive producer by Pippa Harris (both representing Neal Street Productions), Gareth Neame (NBCUniversal), and Ben Stephenson (BBC).[5]

"Richard II" was shot entirely on location, including at St David's Cathedral, Pembroke Castle and Packwood House.[3] It completed filming in July 2011.[5] One of the characters in Richard II, the Duchess of Gloucester, is absent from this adaptation.

References

  1. ^ "The Hollow Crown: Richard II". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  2. ^ "TV Baftas 2013: all the winners". The Guardian. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Liverpool actor David Morrissey to star in new BBC production of Richard II". Liverpool Echo. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Sam Mendes for BBC Shakespeare season". BBC News. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Cast confirmed for BBC Two's cycle of Shakespeare films" (Press release). BBC Drama Publicity. 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.