Historians have questioned how much the villainous and ambitious person shown here truly resembled Richard III, but there’s no denying William Shakespeare's view—or Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal. Following the unexpected death of his brother Edward IV and reports that another brother, Clarence, was drowned in wine, the young Edward V is set to inherit. However, his uncle has other intentions; while appearing frien…

Having lost almost all English territory in France, the unwell and mentally fragile Henry VI (Tom Sturridge) returns home with his French wife Margaret (Sophie Okonedo). They arrive at a court as full of scheming as the one they left behind. The King has been on the throne for some time now, but that won’t stop Warwick (Stanley Townsend) from pushing Edward's (Geoffrey Streatfield) claim to the throne, arguing it is …

With Henry V’s untimely death, the crown goes to his baby boy, who grows up under the care of his uncle, Gloucester (Hugh Bonneville), and eventually becomes Tom Sturridge. Even though others feel they have a better right to rule, England experiences a period of calm while conflicts rage in France against Jean D'Arc (Laura Morgan). As part of complicated discussions, an agreement is made for the young king to marry M…

With Bollingbrooke and Mowbray locked in a dispute over accusations of treason, King Richard II, portrayed by Ben Whishaw, attempts to mediate. However, Richard’s character lacks authority, and when his efforts fail, a jousting match to determine the victor is scheduled. Unable to witness their deaths, the king instead exiles both nobles for six years. Following this, the ruler makes several questionable decisions, i…

Having established Henry V on the throne, this production examines both his nature and Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal—something I wasn’t entirely satisfied with. His previous work in the Henry IV plays benefited from his depiction of a charming rogue alongside strong performances from actors like Simon Russell Beale and Julie Walters. With him now holding the highest position, domestic and international political schemes…

While not possessing the same vibrant personality as the initial installment of Henry IV, this remains a captivating viewing experience lasting around two hours, illustrating the waning strength of one monarch and the rise of another. Jeremy Irons portrays Henry IV alongside his court, whose perceptions of the younger "Hal," played by Tom Hiddleston, have shifted somewhat after he overcame Hotspur, but now the king’s…

I often think that when people in Britain complain about paying for the BBC licence fee, they overlook the fact that, like “I Claudius” and “Elizabeth R,” the network is capable of creating some truly exceptional drama for television or cinema. This initial installment portrays the beginning of the later years of King Henry IV’s (Jeremy Irons) reign, primarily through the experiences of his irresponsible son "Hal" (T…