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Benedict Cumberbatch is set to play royalty in a telemovie for the BBC.
Cumberbatch will play Richard III in the Neal Street Production.
“Richard III” will be one part of a series of three films for BBC Two, with “Henry VI” to be filmed in two parts.
Dominic Cooke, making his TV directorial debut, will direct all three adaptations of Shakespeare’s History plays. Ben Power, associate director of the National Theater, adapted the plays.
“I can’t wait to work with Dominic Cooke again to bring this complex, funny and dangerous character to life,” Cumberbatch said.
Neal Street and Cumberbatch have worked together on two previous projects. The company also produced the first series of Shakespeare’s History plays, “The Hollow Crown” series, for the BBC which Ben Power also adapted.
Pippa Harris of Neal Street Productions said: “[Cumberbatch’s] range and dexterity as an actor make him the perfect choice to bring one of Shakespeare’s towering characters to television.
“…Neal Street is delighted to be making the concluding part of this great History cycle.”
Controller of BBC drama, Ben Stephenson, said: “Only BBC drama can provide talent with such a diverse range of quality roles to showcase their work, and I’m thrilled to welcome back Benedict Cumberbatch, who is one of the world’s most brilliant and in-demand actors.”
