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The Hollow Crown

Drama: Classic & Period

The hugely acclaimed 2012 adaptations of Shakespeare's history plays.

Some of the UK’s finest acting talent in compelling tales of family, politics and power. The hugely acclaimed 2012 adaptations of Shakespeare's history plays.

Series 1

The Hollow Crown: Richard II

BBC Four

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BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

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Ben Whishaw

David Morrissey

David Suchet

Rory Kinnear

William Shakespeare

Ben Power

Rupert Goold

The Hollow Crown: Series 1: Episode 1: Richard II

Richard II

Episode 1

Episode 1: Richard II

BBC Two - The Hollow Crown, Series 1, Richard II

King Richard II faces a rebellion led by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke.

Shakespeare adaptation starring Ben Whishaw. King Richard is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray.

The Hollow Crown brings together four filmed adaptations of Shakespeare's History Plays - Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. Starting in the year 1399, this continuous story of monarchy follows events during sixteen years of dynastic and political power play. Kings, with their families and followers, are threatened by rebellion and conflict.

The story takes us from the Royal Court at Westminster to battlefields in England and France. These rich films are woven with the finest of Shakespeare's poetry and are filmed in the architecture and landscape of the period.

King Richard is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray. Richard calls for a duel but then halts it just before swords clash. Both men are banished from the realm. Richard visits John of Gaunt, Bolingbroke's father, who, in the throes of death, reprimands the king. After seizing Gaunt's money and land, Richard leaves for wars against the rebels in Ireland. Bolingbroke returns to claim back his inheritance. Supported by his allies, Northumberland and the Duke of York, Bolingbroke takes Richard prisoner and lays claim to the throne. 

The Hollow Crown: Series 1

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Adaptations of Shakespeare's history plays Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V.

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The Hollow Crown

Series 1

Episode 1: Richard II

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