Centuries later, the Bard’s work still plays on
Shakespeare fans, are you ready for this? TNT’s Will (Monday, 9 ET/PT) brings the story of young William Shakespeare’s rowdy world to life. With a modern soundtrack, this twist on a period drama is going to rock the world of Shakespeare, played by Laurie
STILL STAR-CROSSED
This ABC summer series from Shonda Rhimes returned from a short break in a new time slot Saturday (10 ET/PT). The series picks up where Romeo and Juliet ends and is based on a book by Melinda Taub. The young lovers’ Capulet and Montague families pick up the rivalry, with some members seeking peace between the families.
LOVE STORY
Taylor Swift’s pop hit was released in September 2008 as the lead single from her second album, Fearless. Written by Swift, the lyrics reference Shakespeare’s story of the ill-fated young lovers. “Little did I know/That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles/And my daddy said, ‘Stay away from Juliet.’ ” The song ’s lovers have a much happier ending than the original pair.
THE LION KING
The reboot of the 1994 Disney animated classic is due in 2019, with Seth Rogen voicing Pumbaa, Donald Glover as Simba, Billy Eichner as Timon and James Earl Jones as Mufasa. (The movie was also turned into a Broadway stage production in 1997. Many have compared the story to Hamlet, transplanted from Denmark to the African savanna.
DOCTOR WHO
A Season 3 episode, “The Shakespeare Code,” aired in spring 2007 and puts the Doctor (David Tennant) and the famous playwright in a world of aliens who look like witches.
THE HOLLOW CROWN
The latest season of the British series, The Hollow Crown, aired on PBS in December, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons and Judi Dench in productions known as Shakespeare’s Hollow Crown plays. Season 1 consists of Richard II, Henry IV, Parts I and II and Henry V, and Season 2 offers Henry VI, Parts 1 and II, and Richard III. Both seasons are available for streaming now on Amazon.
#SHAKESPEARESUNDAY
The Twitter hashtag trends on, well, Sundays. Originated by the Twitter account @HollowCrownFans, favorite quotes from The Bard flood the social media platform. Quotes reflect a weekly theme.