Production News

Bookmark and Share
06/10/2017

BBC Two Announce Star-Studded King Lear Cast

News Image
It has been announced that Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson are to lead a star-studded cast in a BBC Two adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous work, King Lear.

The production will be adapted and directed by BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre.

Set in the fictional present, King Lear sees Anthony Hopkins star as the eponymous ruler, presiding over a totalitarian military dictatorship in England. He is joined by Emma Thompson as his oldest daughter Goneril. Emily Watson stars as his middle daughter Regan, with Florence Pugh as Cordelia, the youngest of King Lear's children. Jim Broadbent takes on the role of the Earl of Gloucester, Andrew Scott as his loyal son Edgar and John Macmillan as his illegitimate son Edmund.

In addition, Jim Carter will play the role of the Earl of Kent, Christopher Eccleston as Oswald, and Tobias Menzies plays the Duke of Cornwall. Anthony Calf is cast as the Duke of Albany and Karl Johnson is set to play Lear's loyal jester the Fool.

King Lear has been commissioned by Charlotte Moore at the BBC, and will be produced by Playground and Sonia Friedman Productions, in association with Lemaise Pictures Limited for BBC Two. The drama is a co-production with Amazon Studios. The producer is Noëlette Buckley, with executive producers Colin Callender and Scott Huff for Playground, Sonia Friedman for Sonia Friedman Productions, and Lucy Richer for the BBC. Great Point Media will represent international rights in the project from MIPCOM 2017.

Colin Callender and Sonia Friedman, Executive Producers, said: "It is a tribute to the great Richard Eyre that we have brought together such a remarkable cast. The film is a testament to the BBC's on-going commitment to the single drama, and we are very appreciative of their continued support. We are particularly excited to be working with Amazon and their support for the film reflects their emergence as a leading global brand of top quality drama."

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, added: "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."

Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide TV Content Acquisition, Amazon Prime Video, commented: "Playground has an incredible track record of producing award-worthy series and films, and we are delighted to work with them and SFP on bringing such a star-studded, exciting adaptation to Prime members."

Principal photography begins this month. The film is commissioned by the BBC and will premiere on BBC Two in the UK in 2018. Amazon Studios is co-producing and taking US and German rights. Amazon Prime Video will also air the drama in the UK, following the BBC's run.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/LM)
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

13/04/2016
Production News : Nominations Announced For RTS Scotland Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for this year's RTS Scotland Awards 2016. The awards cover all forms of production in
06/02/2018
Nominations For RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018 Announced
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2018. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Gues
02/10/2015
RTS North West Announce Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the shortlist for its annual awards at an event hosted by CBBC presenter Lauren Lay
11/04/2017
RTS Announce Scotland Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Scotland Awards 2017. The awards cover all forms of production in Scotlan
29/09/2017
RTS Announces Nominations For North West Awards 2017
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the nominations for its annual awards, at an event sponsored by Audio Network. Cat
04/11/2014
Production News - RTS Announces Craft & Design Awards Shortlist
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the shortlist for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/2014. The winners will be announced at a ceremon
21/05/2015
RTS Announces Winners Of Scotland Awards 2014
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the winners of the RTS Scotland Awards 2014. Chaired by April Chamberlain, the awards cover all forms
18/11/2014
Winners Announced For RTS North West Centre Awards
The Royal Television Society (RTS) North West Centre has announced the winners of its annual awards on 15 November at the Hilton, Manchester. The even
08/06/2023
BBC Appoints Kerensa Samandis As General Manager For BBC iPlayer
The BBC has appointed Kerensa Samanidis as General Manager for BBC iPlayer. Kerensa joins from Channel 4 and will start the new role on 19 June. Repor
24/05/2002
BBC's business-to-business broadband capability launched
BBC Worldwide, the BBC’s main commercial arm, have launched BBC Preview – the first business-to-business broadband application that allows internation
22/11/2023
BBC Two And BBC Music Announce Cher Meets Rylan
BBC Two and BBC Music will deliver a Christmas present to viewers in the festive form of Cher Meets Rylan in December, which sees legendary singer and
23/03/2016
Winners Announced For RTS Programme Awards 2016
The winners of this year's Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards 2016, in partnership with Audio Network, have been announced at a ceremony
04/03/2016
Production News : RTS Programme Awards Nominees Unveiled
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has revealed the nominations for the RTS Programme Awards 2016, in partnership with Audio Network. The RTS Programm
29/01/2016
RTS Announces Television Journalism Awards 2016
The Royal Television Society (RTS) has announced the nominations for the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2016.   The awards, for news and current aff
21/04/2023
Blue Lights To Return For A Second Series
The BBC has announced that Belfast-based drama Blue Lights produced by Two Cities Television will return for a second 6 x 60’ series. Directed by Gill