King Lear (2008 TV film)
Encyclopedia
King Lear is a 2008 television film based on the William Shakespeare
play of the same name
, directed by Trevor Nunn
. It was broadcast on More4
in the UK on Christmas Day, and shown on PBS
in America in March 2009. The production was filmed mainly at Pinewood Studios
in England
.
It features the same cast and director as the recent RSC
production, and started filming only a few days after the final performance at the New London Theatre
, at Pinewood Studios
in Buckinghamshire
. The film has already been released on DVD in the UK and it is scheduled to be released in the US on 21 April 2009. It was shown on Channel 4
on 26 December 2008, as well as being broadcast on PBS in 2009 and a number of other TV stations internationally, including NHK Japan.
lasted for around a month.
Whilst McKellen appeared fully nude in the original production, PBS
would not allow this on screen, so there was only a partial nudity.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
play of the same name
King Lear
King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological...
, directed by Trevor Nunn
Trevor Nunn
Sir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
. It was broadcast on More4
More4
More4 is a digital television channel, run by British broadcaster Channel 4, that launched on 10 October 2005. It is carried on Freeview, on satellite broadcasters Freesat and Sky, UK IPTV broadcaster TalkTalk TV and on UK cable network Virgin Media and in the Republic of Ireland cable networks...
in the UK on Christmas Day, and shown on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
in America in March 2009. The production was filmed mainly at Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
It features the same cast and director as the recent RSC
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
production, and started filming only a few days after the final performance at the New London Theatre
New London Theatre
The New London Theatre is a West End theatre located on the corner of Drury Lane and Parker Street in Covent Garden, in the London Borough of Camden...
, at Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
. The film has already been released on DVD in the UK and it is scheduled to be released in the US on 21 April 2009. It was shown on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
on 26 December 2008, as well as being broadcast on PBS in 2009 and a number of other TV stations internationally, including NHK Japan.
Cast & Crew
The following cast and crew lists is confirmed on IMDb; in all probability minor roles will be played by the same cast as the RSC productionConfirmed cast
- Ian McKellenIan McKellenSir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE is an English actor. He has received a Tony Award, two Academy Award nominations, and five Emmy Award nominations. His work has spanned genres from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction...
- King Lear - Romola GaraiRomola GaraiRomola Sadie Garai is an English actress. She is known for appearing in the movies Amazing Grace, Atonement, and Glorious 39, and for appearing in the BBC adaptation of Emma.-Early life:...
- Cordelia - William GauntWilliam GauntWilliam Charles Anthony Gaunt is an English actor, sometimes credited as Bill Gaunt.-Early life:...
- Earl of Gloucester - Jonathan HydeJonathan HydeJonathan Hyde is an Australian-born English actor, well known for his roles as J. Bruce Ismay, the managing director of the White Star Line in Titanic, Egyptologist Allen Chamberlain in The Mummy and Sam Parrish/Van Pelt, the hunter in Jumanji. He is married to the Scottish soprano Isobel Buchanan...
- Earl of Kent - Philip WinchesterPhilip WinchesterPhilip C. Winchester is an American actor. He is known for his roles in The Patriot, The Hi-Line, LD 50 Lethal Dose, Thunderbirds, CSI: Miami, King Lear, Flyboys, In My Sleep, The Heart of the Earth, and Shaking Dream Land.- Early life and career :Philip C...
- Edmund - Sylvester McCoySylvester McCoySylvester McCoy is a Scottish actor. As a comic act and busker he appeared regularly on stage and on BBC Children's television in the 1970s and 80s, but is best known for playing the seventh incarnation of the Doctor in the long-running science fiction television series Doctor Who from 1987 to...
- The Fool
- Frances BarberFrances BarberFrances Barber is an Olivier Award-nominated English actress with a long and distinguished stage career. She has also appeared in numerous television productions...
- Goneril - Monica DolanMonica DolanMonica Dolan is a British actress who has appeared in a number of roles in British television shows and numerous stage productions. She was born in Middlesbrough. Credits include Agatha Christie's Poirot, Dalziel and Pascoe, Tipping the Velvet and Judge John Deed and starred in ITV drama U Be Dead...
- Regan - David WestonDavid Weston (actor)David Weston is an English actor, director and author. Since graduating from RADA in 1961 he has acted in numerous film, television and stage productions, including twenty-seven plays in Shakespeare's canon. With Michael Croft he was a founder member of the National Youth Theatre...
- A Gentleman - Guy Williams - Duke of Cornwall
- Seymour Matthews - Curan
- Ben Meyjes - Edgar
- Julian HarriesJulian HarriesJulian Harries is a British actor and playwright who works mostly in Suffolk, England.He played Callum McCulloch in EastEnders, as well as appearing in the short film Undercover Heart...
- Duke of Albany - Naomi Capron - Maid
- Kieran BewKieran Bew| website = http://vimeo.com/16285721Kieran Bew is an English actor, known for portraying Avi Gellman in Personal Affairs, and Gary Parr in BBC1's BAFTA award winning The Street.-Background:...
- Soldier - Peter HintonPeter HintonPeter Hinton is a British archaeologist and the current Chief Executive of the Institute for Archaeologists. Before working for the IfA he worked for the Museum of London Archaeology Service originally as a volunteer field archaeologist and eventually specialising as a post excavation manager. He...
- Duke of Burgundy
Confirmed crew
- Co-Director - Trevor NunnTrevor NunnSir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
- Co-director Chris Hunt
- Producer - Richard Price
- Line Producer - Andy PichetaAndy PichetaAndy Picheta is a Film and TV director, producer, screenwriter and editorPicheta has worked alongside some of entertainment's greatest and most famed names, such as Ian McKellen, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Michael Flatley, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Prince, U2, Donny Osmond and many more,...
- Cinematographer - Paul Wheeler
Production history
King Lear started filming only a few days after the final stage performance on the 12th January 2008. Filming at Pinewood StudiosPinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a major British film studio situated in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, approximately west of central London. The studios have played host to many productions over the years from huge blockbuster films to television shows to commercials to pop promos.The purchase of Shepperton...
lasted for around a month.
Whilst McKellen appeared fully nude in the original production, PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
would not allow this on screen, so there was only a partial nudity.