(VIDEO) Benedict Cumberbatch Cast & Crew Filming At Wells Cathedral; Exclusive sneak peak behind The Hollow Crown at Gloucester Cathedral

GLOUCESTER CITIZEN
By The Citizen  |  Posted: November 08, 2014

Filming is set to take place at Gloucester Cathedral for the BBC drama The Hollow Crown.

Crews descended on the Cathedral on Friday to start preparing the building for filming.

The Citizen has managed to get a sneak preview of inside the film set.

It shows a beautiful display of flowers in the garden in the centre of the Cathedral.

The Hollow Crown is a series of British television films featuring William Shakespeare's History Plays - Richard II, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, and Henry V.

Benedict Cumberbatch is said to be playing Richard III and he could be in Gloucester on Monday with co-star Dame Judy Dench.

Read more: http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Exclusive-sneak-peak-Hollow-Crown-Gloucester/story-24476260-detail/story.html#ixzz3IVuoRvgQ 
Follow us: @GlosCitizen on Twitter | GlosCitizen on Facebook

Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Hugh Bonnevill, Michael Gambon and Philip Glenister head back west

By Western Daily Press  |  Posted: October 09, 2014

Keira Knightley and Bendict Cumberbatch pose during the press conference for The Imitation Game at the Corinthia Hotel, London, yesterday. The film tells the story of Dorset man Alan Turing, one of the founding fathers of computing. Cumberbatch is also set to start filming another series of The Hollow Crown in Wells in the next few weeks PICTURE: Anthony Devlin/PA

Wells residents should keep their eyes open for a slew of famous faces who are heading to the city to film the concluding part of The Hollow Crown, the War of the Roses.

Next weekend, production for the second series will take place in Wells.

The cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Sophie Okonedo, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Michael Gambon and Philip Glenister.

Cast and crew will be in Wells from October 19 until October 24, filming at Cathedral Green and Vicars Close – although the BBC press office has been tight-lipped about which of the cast will be headed to Wells.

Motor vehicles will be excluded from the area between 8am and 7pm on October 19-21, between 10am and 11pm on October 22, 9am and 9pm on October 23 and 8am and 5pm on October 24.

The Hollow Crown is based on William Shakespeare's history plays, and is one of the BBC's flagship dramas.

The first cycle was an adaptation of Shakespeare's Richard II, Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part II (treated as one film in two parts in the series) and Henry V and starred Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons and Tom Hiddleston, and scooped a handful of awards from the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, Broadcasting Press Guild and BAFTA.

The second cycle, which includes Henry VI (in two parts) and Richard III – is being co-produced by Neal Street Productions with Carnival Films/NBC Universal and Thirteen.



Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/History-comes-life-stars-head-west/story-23070409-detail/story.html#ixzz3FnXa1yYl 
Follow us: @WesternDaily on Twitter | WesternDaily on Facebook

Benedict Cumberbatch to play Richard III in Neal Street's film for BBC

THE EDGE
By: Leo Barraclough
April 6, 2014



LONDON -- Benedict Cumberbatch is to play Richard III in Neal Street Productions' film for the BBC.

"Richard III" is part of a series of Shakespeare's History plays, which also includes "Henry VI" in two parts. Dominic Cook‎e, who was artistic director of the Royal Court Theater from 2007 to 2013, will direct all three films.

Cumberbatch said: "I can't wait to work with Dominic Cooke again to bring this complex, funny and dangerous character to life."

The films, which will air on BBC Two, rep Cook‎e's screen debut. The plays were adapted by Ben Power, who is associate director of the National Theater.

Neal Street, which is led by Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris and Caro Newling, also produced the first series of Shakespeare's History plays for the BBC, "The Hollow Crown," which covered "Richard II" and "Henry IV," Part One and Two, and "Henry V." Power adapted the screenplays for "Richard II" and "Henry V."

The films are co-produced by NBCUniversal's Carnival and WNET. Rupert Ryle-Hodges ("Downton Abbey") will produce. Executive producers are Mendes, Harris and Nicolas Brown for Neal Street, Gareth Neame for Carnival/NBCU, and David Horn for WNET.

Harris said: "Neal Street Productions worked with Benedict on both 'Stuart: A Life Backwards' for the BBC, and the film 'Starter for Ten.' His range and dexterity as an actor make him the perfect choice to bring one of Shakespeare's towering characters to television.


READ MORE HERE: http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/movies/movie_news/2014/04/benedict_cumberbatch_to_play_richard_iii_in_neal_streets

Jessica Chastain Is Dating (Loki) Tom Hiddleston! 1/14/2013 7:08 PM ET (PEREZ HILTON)

Critics aren't the only ones falling for Jessica Chastain!

The Zero Dark Thirty star is rumored to be in a VERY serious relationship with Avengers bad-guy, Tom Hiddleston.

Despite attempting to keep their romance hush-hush a good friend of the couple has come forward, telling sources:

"Tom is taken with Jess and it’s serious. Before Christmas she visited Britain to stay with him and meet all his family for the first time."

Awwwww!!


READ MORE: http://perezhilton.com/2013-01-14-tom-hiddleston-jessica-chastain-new-couple#.UPWIRYc1k8c

Tom Hiddleston -- Something Beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JwdTlalNE8

JustAnotherPhan

Tom Hiddleston: I want to direct (BELFAST TELEGRAPH)

Tom Hiddleston has revealed he would like to step behind the camera as a director.

The British actor, best known for playing villain Loki in Thor and Avengers Assemble, is helping to judge the Jameson Empire Done In 60 Seconds short films competition, and admitted he would like to make his own movies in the future.

"I've never actually made one myself, apart from messing about on my phone. I've written stuff that has gone on to be produced, which is definitely for the best for all of us," he said.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/tom-hiddleston-i-want-to-direct-16252075.html#ixzz2FVnBOLe1

Tom HIddleston Interview British Independent Film Awards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zZZqIfBB9M

Tom Hiddleston - Prince Hal's wonderful monologue (St. Crispins' Day Henry V )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAH9gAF-4Ak

Tom Hiddleston eyeing theatre return By WENN.com (HOLLYWOOD)

The actor started his career on the stage before winning parts in blockbusters such as Thor and The Avengers and admits he misses the thrill of performing for a live audience.

He tells WENN, "I do think that theatre is the actors' medium ultimately. I love working in film, which is the directors' medium most of all. An actor is an instrument in the director's orchestra but the director is conducting and playing and composing the tune.

"Whereas on stage there's something so thrilling about the direct and live contact and complicity with an audience... you have this unique chemistry and there's no hiding place."

Hiddleston goes on to reveal he is actively searching for a new theatre project and hopes to be back on stage very soon.

READ MORE: http://www.hollywood.com/news/Tom_Hiddleston_eyeing_theatre_return/43958464

Jeremy Irons has words about 'The Words' Published: August 29, 2012 1:07 PM (NEWSDAY)

By JOSEPH V. AMODIO. Special to Newsday  

There's a famous tale about Ernest Hemingway -- and the time his wife packed up all his early writings in a suitcase . . . and accidentally lost it on a train. The original manuscripts, all the carbons -- years of work -- gone.

This tale from the days before backup hard drives inspired "The Words," a haunting new drama about writers, romance and plagiarism that opens Sept. 7. It stars Bradley Cooper as a frustrated young writer being trailed by an old man, played by . . . wait . . . is that? Yes, it's Jeremy Irons.

The British icon aged nearly a quarter century to play the mysterious figure. Romantics, of course, still love him from the hit 1980s PBS series "Brideshead Revisited." Kids fear his bloodcurdling voice as the evil lion Scar in Disney's "The Lion King." And villainy fans enjoy "Die Hard: With a Vengeance" (he plays a terrorist), Showtime's "The Borgias" (a scheming pope) or "Reversal of Fortune" (murder suspect Claus von Bülow).

He's won a best actor Academy Award (for "Reversal") and a Tony (for Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing"), among others. Married with two grown children, Irons currently is shooting season 3 of "The Borgias" in Budapest. He spoke by phone with Newsday.


"The Words" is a rather literary film -- quiet, romantic. What encouraged you to make it?

Well, I thought the old man is an enigma, and it's always nice to play enigmas.

Why is that?

It's nice playing with the audience, letting them in slowly. And I thought it would be a bit of a challenge to play a man of that age. It would give me a chance to . . . do what I do, y'know?

I heard you were very particular about your costume.

I didn't want anything new. This is a man who had no interest in his clothing. I said, go to old thrift shops.
Find clothes that have life in them. I still have one of the shirts. I wear it and people say, "That's a wonderful old shirt."

The tale of Hemingway's lost manuscripts -- it's always haunted me.

Oh, terrible. Like losing a child. Terrible.

I guess that's one benefit of being a film actor over a writer -- your work is chronicled. It can't be misplaced.
But it can be forgotten. I remember when my eldest son . . . was young and having a birthday party, and the weather was terrible. So I said, "Why don't you watch a movie? Why not 'Some Like It Hot' -- it's a fantastic film. Marilyn Monroe." And he said, "Who's that?" And I thought . . . how soon they forget.


READ MORE: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/jeremy-irons-has-words-about-the-words-1.3935065

Tom Hiddleston talks Shakepeare’s Henry and Thor's Loki Exclusive: Hiddleston compares Prince Hal and Avengers villain Jul 16th 2012By Total Film

Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Prince Hal in the BBC’s The Hollow Crown is currently being slathered with praise, and we've spoken to The Avengers actor about his latest Shakespearean role.

The Hollow Crown is BBC Two’s ambitious collection of Shakespeare’s history plays, comprising Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V. Hiddleston is Prince Hal, a central player who goes on to become – SPOILER! – Henry V.

When we recently caught up with the Asgardian outcast, he spoke about the challenges of the role, and even compared Prince Hal to Loki.

What was it like filming Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 and Henry V?

"It’s so ambitious, what we’re trying to do. I did it Benjamin Button-style, in reverse order. So I started with the end of Henry V and slowly worked backwards.

"So before Christmas we shot the battle of Agincourt, and after Christmas we shot pre-Agincourt, and then I had a day off and went to the end of Henry IV, where Hal rejects Falstaff. And my last day on Henry IV is the opening scenes in the pub when he’s the most rebellious."

Sounds hard to get your head round…

"But I feel it’s kind of interesting, because, in character, I’m shedding responsibility as I go. So I started with the weight of war on my shoulders, the lessons that he learns about leadership and about war and kingship, and I end with the smiles and laughter of rebellion."

http://www.totalfilm.com/news/tom-hiddleston-talks-shakepeare-s-henry-and-loki

TOM HIDDLESTON PICTURES (LOKI, HENRY IV)

ALL PICTURES FROM THE 'I LOVE TOM HIDDLESTON LOKI PAGE'

https://www.facebook.com/IloveTomHiddleston.LokiPage?sk=photos

The Hollow Crown: Henry IV: Part 2, BBC Two, review Serena Davies reviews The Hollow Crown: Henry IV: Part 2, the second instalment of BBC Two adaptation of the Shakespeare play. (TELEGRAPH)

There is a figure that has towered over Richard Eyre’s films of Henry IV Parts One and Two, and it isn’t the one you’d expect. The usual show-stealer of these plays, Sir John Falstaff – played here by Simon Russell Beale – has looked quite the jolly jester in his fat-suit. But this icon of ribaldry and dipsomania hasn’t been making us laugh. And if Falstaff doesn’t make us laugh then we don’t care when he’s sad, and he spends quite a lot of Henry IV Part Two (Saturday, BBC Two) with a bloodshot eye for the bleaker side of life.

No, it’s the aged King who has been the wow of this middle leg of the BBC’s excellent Hollow Crown series of four of Shakespeare’s history plays. Surely Jeremy Irons’s portrayal of Henry IV ranks as his best work for TV since his breakthrough role as the eloquent, elegant but oddly vacant Charles Ryder in Granada’s Brideshead Revisited in 1981. Irons is a very fine screen actor, able to add rich dramatic colour for emphasis, but never forgetting to keep it detailed. And he’s a performer who works by instinct rather than calculation, which is why every scene he was in Saturday’s film flared with emotion.

“Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” agonised Irons as Henry, as the metal seemed to press in on his skull. That lament is the King’s leitmotif in this play, as an old man reflects on a reign fissured with anxiety. The hollow-eyed despair, the cracked nobility, the searing self-interrogation, this was like a dress rehearsal for King Lear. Irons has already done a Lear of sorts in Dennis Kelly’s modern twist on the play, The Gods Weep, but the way he produced the verse here, breathing and smelling the words, made me long for the real thing.

read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9399311/The-Hollow-Crown-Henry-IV-Part-2-BBC-Two-review.html

Review: Henry IV Parts 1 And 2 ReviewsTom Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale are utterly spellbinding. Posted 5th July 2012, 4:44pm in TV, by Christa Ktorides (DIY)

Please note that if you do not know your Shakespeare or your English history then there will be spoilers below.

Following on from last weekend’s triumphant screening of Richard II on BBC Two, we were fortunate enough to attend a screening of Henry IV parts 1 and 2 at the BFI Southbank. Having now seen all four films of Aunty Beeb’s ambitious retelling of four of Shakespeare’s historical plays – the Henriad tetralogy – on the big screen we pity those of you that will only see them in the living room for they make for truly beautiful cinema.

With Henry IV parts 1 and 2, Rupert Goold (Richard II) hands over the director’s reigns to Sir Richard Eyre, a man who knows exactly what to cut from the text and what is essential to leave in. He also has a knack for rearranging scene order for the sake of television, understanding the medium entirely.

Rory Kinnear has grown up to be Jeremy Irons (Henry IV). He’s also a bit of a grump, despairing at the behaviour of his flightly playboy son Prince Hal (Tom Hiddleston). Hal you see would much rather be hanging out in the grimy bars of Cheapside with his cronies Falstaff (Simon Russell Beale) and Poins (David Dawson) than getting involved in matters of state.

When a rebellion against the King, led by the charismatic Hotspur (Joe Armstrong) comes to light, Hal must begin to face his responsibilities as heir to the throne and prove himself on the battlefield.

This is sexy Shakespeare with Eyre knowing a handsome chap when he sees one, making Hal a leather jacket sporting sexpot who likes a sauna (yes ladies, there's a scene in a sauna). He might be a bit of a soak (quite literally at one point as he’s covered in red wine) and if it were a modern tale he’d be that loud rugger bugger at the end of the bar, guffawing with his pals and ruining your evening but Eyre and Hiddleston make him a desirable devil, one that has our loyalties from the get go. The famously infectious Hiddleston laugh is in evidence throughout and Eyre wisely keeps the focus on Falstaff and Hal for the majority of Part 1, the rebellion of Hotspur taking something of a backseat so as to establish the characters of our drinking buddies and making the eventual dismissal by Hal of his former partner in crime all the more emotional come the close of Part 2.

Russell Beale nabs all the best lines as Falstaff but it’s what goes unsaid behind his eyes that truly connects with the audience, it’s Hal’s love he craves above money and status and yet the old rascal is his own worst enemy and Russell Beale, looking uncannily like Billy Barty in Masters of The Universe, amps up the naughtiness and self-serving nature of Shakespeare’s most amusing character to a Spinal Tap 11. It's worth noting too that Hiddleston can muster up a seriously great Jeremy Irons impression. Part 1 is something of a merry jape for a good portion of its running time. Hiddleston’s Hal is good company indeed, his back and forth’s with Russell Beale’s lovable rogue Falstaff a delight to behold.

READ MORE: http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/television/review-henry-iv-parts-1-and-2/

Jeremy Irons, Tom Hiddleston: The BBC's The Hollow Crown, set visit The BBC's adaptations of four of Shakespeare's history plays feature an all star cast including Jeremy Irons and Simon Russell Beale. Serena Davies visited the set.By Serena Davies7:30AM BST 29 Jun 2012 (TELEGRAPH)

We’re in Gloucester Cathedral in January and it is freezing. Jeremy Irons has admitted to wearing long johns and Tom Hiddleston says he’s been piling the layers on too, but mainly on his top half “because otherwise it’s a mission to go to the loo”. The director, Richard Eyre, has a very large Michelin-man coat on. “I’ve found a radiator!” sobs one of the extras.

The actors are midway through a key scene from Shakespeare’s Henry IV part one, an exchange that constitutes one of the great dressings-down in literature. Sporting a cloak and furs over those thermals, as well as a thorny beard, Irons is playing the king in a rage, tearing strips off Hiddleston, humble and ashamed as Henry IV’s errant son, Prince Hal.

Eyre allows Irons to do his whole speech – over 60 lines – for each take, so the actor can reach a sufficient state of fury. And when Irons can’t remember the words he fills the air with expletives – “Don’t you f------ interrupt me” – to keep up the mood.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51KWNvbDVA4&feature=player_embedded

The film they are making will form part of a tetralogy of Shakespeare history plays that the BBC is presenting as a contribution to the year’s sprawling Cultural Olympiad and the Beeb’s own Shakespeare Unlocked season. The full sequence of plays, entitled The Hollow Crown, and following the fall of one branch of the Plantagenets and the rise of another, will be Richard II, Henry IV parts one and two and Henry V.

This line up has been put together by executive producers Sam Mendes (more a benign consultant in the distance thanks to his duties on the next Bond film, Skyfall) and Pippa Harris (last production, the ratings hit Call the Midwife). “The plays seemed particularly fitting for this particular year, with the Olympics but also the jubilee,” says Harris. “They are about monarchy, they are about England. They are about British history.”


READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9333893/The-BBCs-The-Hollow-Crown-set-visit.html

First Clip Of Jeremy Irons And Tom Hiddleston In Henry IV Part 1 NewsA first look at Sir Richard Eyre's adaptation of Shakespeare's celebrated play. Posted 25th May 2012, 2:48pm in TV (DIY)

Oh BBC you do spoil us. As we continue on our campaign to appear high-brow and well read we bring you the first clip from the BBC’s adaptation of Henry IV part 1, featuring Jeremy Irons as Henry IV and Tom Hiddleston as his son, Prince Hal and if that wasn’t cool enough there is a second clip on the BBC’s website, this time from Henry IV part 2.

In the first clip below we see Prince Hal (Hiddleston) summoned to the Court at Westminster by the King (Jeremy Irons). Furious at his son’s disreputable behaviour in the company of Falstaff (Simon Russell Beale) and Poins (David Dawson) the King gives Hal a royal ear bashing. Quite literally. We also spotted Game of Thrones actor Harry Lloyd (Edmund Mortimer) lurking in the background.



READ MORE:  http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/television/first-clip-of-jeremy-irons-and-tom-hiddleston-in-henry-iv-part-1/

Tom Hiddleston: First Clip Of Tom Hiddleston As King Henry NewsThe BBC release a clip of Thea Sharrock's Henry V. Posted 16th May 2012, 8:09pm in TV (DIY)

The BBC's summer of Shakespeare - starting with Richard II - ends with the fourth part of the playwright's celebrated tetralogy (with Henry IV part 1 and part 2 as the filling in this historical sandwich) and the beeb have released a rather stunning clip from the final film.

Tom Hiddleston, an actor on something of a high right now with The Avengers breaking box office records, plays King Henry V.




READ MORE:  http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/television/first-clip-of-tom-hiddleston-as-king-henry/

Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Irons: BBC's top cast for Olympic Shakespeare seasons (TELEGRAPH)

Ben Whishaw will star in a new BBC season of Shakespeare plays. He said: “Playing Richard II has been a hugely rewarding experience." Photo: BBC

The BBC have attracted an all-star cast for their season of Shakespeare history plays. With the Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes as executive producer, the BBC will screen Richard II, Henry IV parts I and II, and Henry V, from late June on BBC2 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Among the top British talent involved in acting and directing are: Jeremy Irons, Ben Whisaw, Simon Russell Beale and Sir Richard Eyre. Among other actors involved are: Tom Hiddleston (Prince Hal), Patrick Stewart (John of Gaunt), Julie Walters (Mistress Quickly), David Suchet (Duke of York), Lindsay Duncan (Duchess of York), Rory Kinnear (Bolingbroke), Michelle Dockery (Lady Percy), Maxine Peake (Doll Tearsheet), Iain Glen (Warwick) and John Hurt (The Chorus).

Irons stars as Henry IV, while Russell Beale plays Falstaff. Eyre will direct Henry IV, and Thea Sharrock is the director on Henry V.


READ MORE:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/william-shakespeare/9240442/BBCs-top-cast-for-Olympic-Shakespeare-seasons.html

Dan Stevens teases Downton Abbey Christmas special, and Michelle Dockery to play another Lady!

November 25th, 2011 by Sarah.

Dan Stevens, who of course plays Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey, has teased a few minor details about this year’s Downton Christmas special.

And it’s been revealed today that his co-star Michelle Dockery – who of course plays the love of Matthew’s life Lady Mary now that poor old Lavinia has gone to the great manor house in the sky – has landed a role in another period drama for the BBC’s Shakespeare season.

More on that in a moment, but first, speaking to What’s On TV about the Christmas special – which was filmed at Highclere Castle in Berkshire – Dan said, “We finished filming a couple of weeks ago.
“Downton has a very big Christmas tree, I can tell you that much.

“I can’t tell you much else but it’s a bit Christmassy.”

However, he then joked, “I don’t wear a Santa outfit. I was a bit disappointed when I found that out…”

Well, who wouldn’t be...

Dan – who’s also starred in Sense & Sensibility, and the West End revival of Noel Coward’s The Vortex – then went on to hint that Matthew and Lady Mary may “become closer” in the festive episode.

And apropos of Lady Mary, back to Michelle Dockery’s new role, she’ll play Lady Percy in the BBC’s adaptation of Henry IV.

She’ll star alongside Jeremy Irons, Julie Walters and Maxine Peake in the lavish new production.
Michelle is of course no stranger to dramatic roles – including classical and period drama – having also starred in Waking the Dead, a Cranford Christmas special, and a BBC adaptation of The Turn of the Screw.

Also in the Shakespeare season, Alun Armstrong and his son Joe will play father and son characters, The Earl of Northumberland and Hotspur. And film versions of Richard II and Henry V will also form part of the BBC’s involvement in the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad.
Criminal Justice star Ben Whishaw will play Richard II, while Tom Hiddleston will play Henry V in the film versions.

Unreality Primetime

Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey to star in Henry IV

Dockery set for Olympic Shakespeare

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery is set to play another lady - this time as part of the BBC's Shakespeare season marking the 2012 London Olympics.

---

 

---

Michelle Dockery is best known for playing Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery is set to play another lady - this time as part of the BBC's Shakespeare season marking the 2012 London Olympics.

The actress, who plays Lady Mary Crawley in the hit ITV1 costume drama, will play Lady Percy in Henry IV.

Other stars in the cast include Jeremy Irons, Julie Walters and Maxine Peake.

New Tricks star Alun Armstrong and his son Joe will play father and son characters The Earl of Northumberland and Hotspur.

Films of Richard II and Henry V are also being made as part of the BBC's contribution to the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad.

Ben Whishaw will play Richard II and Tom Hiddleston will play Henry V in the films.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes, who is executive producer on the project, said he was "delighted" to be involved.

He said: "One of my earliest introductions to Shakespeare was watching the plays on TV, and it's terrific to have the opportunity to bring them to a new, wider audience."

MSN TV