Summary: It’s a mini-series of Shakespeare’s history plays such as Richard II, Henry IV Parts One and Two, and Henry V.
Network: BBC Two
Run time: 120-148 minutes
Creator: Rupert Ryle-Hodges
Main Cast: Simon Russell Beale, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Georgeson, James Laurenson, Julie Walters, Anton Lesser, John Mackay, Stephen McDade, Sophie Okonedo
Season 1 Recap
Richard II
The story of Richard II, his ruling and downfall. Young Richard initiated his own downfall by banishing the Earl of Mowbray and Henry Bolingbroke as a resolution to their feud. Richard then confiscated their lands for a war against Ireland, a war that he lost. These actions angered a lot of people, one of them was the Duke of York who welcomed Henry Belingbroke back home. The Kings gets taken as prisoner and killed in his cell. Belingbroke proclaims himself as King and vows a pilgrimage to atone for his part in the regicide. Henry IV, Part One
Henry IV faces an uprising from young Harry Hotspur, son of the Duke of Northumberland who is angry with the King for not paying the ransom for his brother-in-law and Welsh chieftain Owen Glendower. Henry also dislikes that his son Prince Hal spends too much time with Sir John Falstaff. Henry IV, Part 2
As Northumberland swears to take revenge for his son’s death. For that reason he calls on his allies to fight the ailing King. Doll Tearsheet criticizes Hal, unaware that the Prince is eavesdropping. After his father gets into an ambush, the Prince thinks that the King is dead, for that reason he dons the crown and is berated by the dying King.
The Prince becomes Henry V, his firs act as the ruler is banishing Falstaff. Henry V
Hal is now Henry V, he rejects Falstaff resulting in his death. After he is told that he has a claim at the French throne because of Edward III. He decides to go after the throne, he crosses the Channel and attacks a small town called Harfleu by surprise, he makes an inspirational speech. Henry allows the hanging of Bardolph after he was accused for looting. Another truce is turned down by the French.
