When does King Lear start on BBC Two, who’s in the cast with Anthony Hopkins and what is the Shakespeare play about?
The all-star production is pulling out all the stops for the latest adaptation of the Shakespeare classic tragedy, and here's your first look
THE BBC and Amazon are co-producing a star-studded adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy King Lear, starring Anthony Hopkins in the title role.
So who else is in the cast, when is it on and what is the play about? Here is all you need to know...
When does King Lear start on BBC?
King Lear will air Monday, May 28, 2018, on BBC Two.
As Amazon studios are co-producing, they will be showing the film in the US and Germany and it will also be available on Amazon Prime Video in the UK following its airing on the BBC.
BBC and Amazon Prime have shared their first photo from the new Shakespeare series.
The picture sees Hopkins as Lear cradling his youngest daughter Cordelia, played by rising star Florence Pugh.
What is King Lear about?
The film is set in the modern-day and is based on Shakespeare's tragedy, King Lear.
In an attempt to avoid future conflict, the elderly King of Britain divides his kingdom between his three daughters.
First, however, his daughters must pass a test, and he asks each of them to tell him how much she loves him. His elder daughters, Regan and Goneril respond positively, but his youngest and favourite daughter, Cordelia doesn't want to appear hypocritical and so is unable to respond.
The King flies into a rage and disowns her and the plot unfolds with his gradual descent into madness as he realises how much his actions have damaged his relationship with his daughters.
Who is in the cast with Anthony Hopkins & Emma Thompson?
Anthony Hopkins will be playing the coveted lead role of King Lear and will be supported by an all-star cast.
Emma Thompson stars as his eldest daughter Goneril and Emily Watson appears as his middle daughter Regan.
Florence Pugh stars as Cordelia, his youngest child and there are also appearances from Jim Broadbent, Andrew Scott, John MacMillan and Downton Abbey's Jim Carter.
Former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston will also star in the film which is directed by Notes on a Scandal director, Richard Eyre.
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: “Richard Eyre has assembled an unmissable cast to embody his vision for a timeless but deeply resonant screen adaptation of King Lear. We are all looking forward to seeing this landmark production come to life on BBC Two.”
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