The Hollow Crown: Richard III

Original version

BBC Four

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

BBC Four HD

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.

BBC Two Scotland

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

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Rupert Ryle-Hodges

William Shakespeare

Dominic Cooke

Ben Power

Benedict Cumberbatch

Ben Daniels

Judi Dench

James Fleet

Phoebe Fox

Keeley Hawes

Anton Lesser

Sophie Okonedo

Geoffrey Streatfield

Tom Sturridge

Luke Treadaway

Sam Troughton

Josef Altin

Isaac Andrews

Paul Bazely

Geoff Bell

Robert Bowman

Alan David

Keith Dunphy

Simon Ginty

Barney Harris

Ivanno Jeremiah

Madison Lygo

John MacKay

Caspar Morley

Matthew Needham

Jude Owusu

Gary Powell

Penny Ryder

Sid Sagar

Jo Stone-Fewings

Samuel Valentine

Al Weaver

Neal Street Productions

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses: Episode 3: Richard III

Richard III

Episode 3

Episode 3: Richard III

The Wars of the Roses

BBC Two - The Hollow Crown, The Wars of the Roses, Richard III

In his quest for the crown, Richard plans the murder of his brother George.

Screen adaptations of Shakespeare plays. In his quest for the crown, Richard plans the murder of his brother George.

At Westminster, Richard speaks about his deformity, the evil plots he has laid, and the decadence at court.

George, brother to Richard and the king, is arrested during a birthday feast for Prince Edward and led away to the tower. King Edward takes ill and collapses at the end of the feast. Richard arranges for George's murder in the Tower of London.

King Edward makes one last effort to end family disputes, but Richard interrupts with the news of George's death. After Edward also dies, Richard starts to take control.

Rivers and Grey are executed for treason and Prince Edward and Prince Richard are sent to the Tower for safe keeping. After a council meeting, Hastings is also executed. Buckingham persuades the citizens of London to plead with Richard to take up the throne. Richard is crowned at Westminster Abbey with Anne as his queen. Unrewarded for his efforts, Buckingham distances himself from Richard and his regime. Now, without the support of his main henchman, Richard III hires Tyrell to murder the princes in the tower.

The Duke of Richmond and his supporters join forces to seize the crown and overthrow Richard. In his underground quarters at Westminster, Richard becomes isolated and paranoid. He takes Stanley's son hostage and arranges for the murder of Anne.

Richard is forced to lead his army to confront Richmond at Bosworth Field. Buckingham is executed for desertion.

Stanley joins forces with Richmond and Richard's army is outnumbered. Richmond delivers the fatal blow to Richard in single combat and Richmond is crowned Henry VII.

The Houses of York and Lancaster are united, the white rose with the red.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses

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.

Screen adaptations of Shakespeare's history plays.

Screen adaptations of Shakespeare's history plays that give a dramatic account of the Wars of the Roses.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Hollow Crown

The Wars of the Roses

Episode 3: Richard III

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four