The BBC has announced the cast of their new cycle of Shakespearean TV films including versions of ‘Richard II’, ‘Henry IV’ (part I and II) and ‘Henry V’.
All four films, which are set in the medieval period, have been commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning and Janice Hadlow, Controller BBC Two for their Shakespeare season in 2012 as part of the BBC’s contribution to the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad.
’Henry IV’ will see Irish actress Niamh Cusack (Five Minutes of Heaven, Heartbeat) play the role of Lady Northumberland alongside Jeremy Irons (The Borgias, The Lion King) as Henry IV and Tom Hiddleston (Thor, The Deep Blue Sea) as Prince Hal.
The TV movie is being directed and adapted for the screen by Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal, Iris). ‘Henry IV’ production designer is Donal Woods (Downton Abbey, Cranford). Director of Photography is Ben Smithard (Cranford) with Annie Symons (Gideon’s Daughter, The Crimson Petal and the White) as costume designer.
Filming on ‘Henry IV’ will begin in the UK this coming January 2012.
