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Arts & Culture

SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED: Richard II With Derek Jacobi

Derek Jacobi
Courtesy of Alex Brenner
Derek Jacobi

Airs Friday, September 13, 2013 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

In a unique series of six films debuting on PBS, SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED combines history, biography, iconic performances, new analysis and the personal passion of its celebrated hosts — Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, Trevor Nunn, Joely Richardson and David Tennant — to tell the story behind the stories of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

Which Character Are You?

Answer all seven questions to find out which Shakespeare character has a lot in common with you.

Derek Jacobi
Courtesy of Alex Brenner
Derek Jacobi

Each episode combines interviews with actors, directors and scholars, along with visits to key locations, clips from some of the most celebrated film and television adaptations, and illustrative excerpts from the plays specially staged for the series at Shakespeare's Globe in London.

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"Richard II With Derek Jacobi" - Derek Jacobi returns to a role he played 30 years ago, coaches actors at the Globe in aspects of the play, reveals why it could have cost Shakespeare his life — and shares some of the extraordinary modern political parallels within the play that still resonate as dictators are deposed.

Also featured are notable excerpts from the upcoming GREAT PERFORMANCES film adaptation starring Ben Whishaw and Patrick Stewart.

Video clips and past episodes from this series are available for online viewing.