About this season
Celebrity hosts guide viewers through William Shakespeare's plays in performance. Each episode serves as a primer for newcomers to Shakespeare while serving up enough historical and theatrical insights to enchant lifelong fans.
Episodes (6)
1. A Midsummer Night's Dream With Hugh Bonneville
Aired 30 January 2015 • 53 min
Actor Hugh Bonneville talks with Ralph Fiennes about the appeal of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
2. King Lear With Christopher Plummer
Aired 30 January 2015 • 53 min
Christopher Plummer explores how "King Lear" may have been staged during Shakespeare's time; actors Ian McKellen and Simon Russell Beale discuss playing the role of King Lear.
3. The Taming of the Shrew With Morgan Freeman
Aired 6 February 2015 • 53 min
Morgan Freeman is determined to understand why Shakespeare wrote "The Taming of the Shrew"; interviews include Tracey Ullman, Sinead Cusack and Julia Stiles.
4. Othello With David Harewood
Aired 6 February 2015 • 53 min
David Harewood unravels the issues of prejudice and jealousy embedded in "Othello"; Adrian Lester portrays Othello at the National Theatre in London; interviews include Simon Russell Beale, Ian McKellen, Julia Stiles and Patrick Stewart.
5. Antony & Cleopatra With Kim Cattrall
Aired 13 February 2015 • 53 min
Kim Cattrall searches for the truth behind Shakespeare's middle-aged love story and examines inspirations for the play in Rome; with Janet Suzman, Harriet Walter and Vanessa Redgrave.
6. Romeo & Juliet With Joseph Fiennes
Aired 13 February 2015 • 53 min
Joe Fiennes considers why "Romeo and Juliet" remains the most adapted and performed of all of Shakespeare's works; interviews include Orlando Bloom, Condola Rashad and Stephen Sondheim.