In this episode, we discuss Richard Eyre’s film adaptation of King Lear starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Emily Watson, and Florence Pugh.
Director Richard Eyre (The Hollow Crown Henry IV Part 1 & 2, The Children Act) adapted King Lear for the small screen in 2018, airing on the BBC in the UK and Amazon Prime in the US. (It’s on iTunes in Canada).
Set in the present day, Emma Thompson stars as Goneril, alongside Emily Watson as Regan, Florence Pugh as Cordelia, Andrew Scott as Edgar, Jim Broadbent as Gloucester, Tobias Menzies as Cornwall, Christopher Eccleston as Oswald, and Karl Johnson as The Fool. This production of Lear is really an ensemble piece, which takes the time to flesh out each of the daughters and their relationships to their husbands. The acting, across the board, is top notch.
Show Notes
To listen to a detailed look at Florence Pugh’s career, listen to the Seventh Row podcast episode on Midsommar.
We also recommend the Lear productions starring Jonathan Pryce (ep. 19 & 20 ) and Simon Russell Beale (from NTLive, directed by Sam Mendes)
Stills from Richard Eyre’s King Lear
Credits
Host: Alex Heeney (@bwestcineaste)
Guests: Mary Angela Rowe (@lapsedvictorian), Laura Anne Harris (@lauraanneharri1), and Caitlin Merriman (@CaitlinSnark)
Editor: Edward von Aderkas
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