‘Sublime’ period drama featuring ‘rugged and sexy’ star is ‘best of the BBC’
The period drama has continued to be praised by fans who also adore the star-studded line-up.
‘Sublime’ period drama featuring ‘rugged and sexy’ star is ‘best of the BBC’ (Image: BBC)
Fans are still raving about the “sublime” period drama which aired on the BBC over 13 years ago. The Hollow Crown is a miniseries which launched on the Beeb in 2012 and ran until 2016. It is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s history plays beginning with Richard III, followed by Henry IV: Parts 1 and 2 and concluded with Henry V. Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writer of the English language.
The series featured a star-studded cast with Benedict Cumberbatch as Richard III, Jeremy Irons as Henry IV, and Tom Hiddleston as King Henry V.
The series has received an impressive score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes with fans also gushing over the show’s leading man, as one quipped at the “rugged and sexy” King Henry V.
The Hollow Crown consisted of seven adaptations and two seasons. (Image: BBC)
Besides that, others have praised the historical drama for being the “best of the BBC” as one reviewer suggested it was “one of the best screen adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced”.
They added: “Arguably one of the very best screen adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced. They have pulled off what many have tried and failed to do: make good cinema out of the plays. The necessary realism is there, without detracting in any way from the source material. And the acting is for the most part really superb.
Hats off especially for Jeremy Irons, David Dawson, Tom Hiddleston and Ben Whishaw. The latter’s Richard II far surpasses any portrayal I have seen, both onstage and onscreen.”
“When I was at school, Shakespeare was as dry as the pages it was written on,” a second remarked.
The Hollow Crown features a star-studded lineup (Image: BBC)
“To watch it, performed by actors who really know and understand Shakespeare, and can convey that in their work, is to enter a world of majesty, of subtle innuendo, of humour and of total understanding of the work of the Shakespeare who used his gift to allow ‘the common man’ to discuss and understand the goings-on and political machinations of his age.”
A third added: “I feel an unprecedented, enlightened appreciation for Shakespeare after this series, for his sharp writing at times, for his breadth of narration, and the directors had sensitive control over the translation from play to screen.
“I also commend Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons, and Tom Hiddleston for superb deliverance of kingly but also human speeches that made an era accessible to our generation.”
SOURCE: EXPRESS