The first and second series of the BBC’s adaptations of Shakespeare’s ‘History Plays’. Beginning in the year 1399, the plays deal with events affecting the monarchy during a period where the ruling orders of Richard II (Ben Whishaw), Henry IV (Jeremy Irons) and Richard III (Benedict Cumberbatch) find themselves beset by rebellion, greed and war. Series 1 episodes are: ‘Richard II’, ‘Henry IV: Part One’, ‘Henry IV: Part Two’ and ‘Henry V’. Series 2 episodes are: ‘Henry VI: Part One’, ‘Henry VI: Part Two’, ‘Henry VI: Part Three’ and ‘Richard III’.
