Downton Abbey star's historical period drama hailed 'sumptuous' as fans 'totally immersed'

Viewers simply cannot miss this spellbinding drama series, boasting Britain's finest acting talent, including Ben Whishaw, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jeremy Irons, alongside Downton Abbey favourites Hugh Bonneville and Michelle Dockery. The programme follows on from a show hailed as "sublime and wonderful" by fans and another likened to Charles Dickens, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The BBC series initially appeared on television screens in 2012 before making its comeback in 2016 for a second run, drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare's theatrical works.

One perfect 10/10 review on IMDb bore the headline "Superb production" with the critic revealing: "When I was at school, Shakespeare was as dry as the pages it was written on.

"To watch it, performed by actors who really know and understand Shakespeare, and can convey that in their work, is to enter a world of majesty, of subtle innuendo, of humour and of total understanding of the work of the Shakespeare who used his gift to allow 'the common man' to discuss and understand the goings-on and political machinations of his age.

"There are no 'spoilers' when it comes to Shakespeare - the work is out there in a myriad of forms and interpretations, waiting to be read. This production is one of the best available."

Another glowing 10/10 critique headlined "Shakespeare Taken to Another Level" saw the reviewer confess they weren't "expecting this level of pure brilliance" and declared they were "totally immersed" in the programme. Continuing: "Somehow this production has defied all the odds and managed to tick all the boxes. And can I say, I'm loving the portrayal of the women as strong, intelligent individuals, who, more often than not, appear to be better at scheming and deceiving than any of their male counterparts. I hope some day, all Shakespeare will be made this way."

A third viewer praised the programme for featuring "the flower of British acting" thanks to its stellar cast and remarked: "Arguably one of the very best screen adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced.

"They have pulled off what many have tried and failed to do: make good cinema out of the plays. The necessary realism is there, without detracting in any way from the source material."

The Hollow Crown served as a BBC interpretation of Shakespeare's historical dramas Richard II; Henry IV, Part 1; Henry IV, Part 2; Henry V, Henry VI, Part 1; Henry VI, Part 2; and Richard III.

The programme was split into seven episodes across two series, with each chapter focusing on one of the Bard's works.

The Hollow Crown dramatised the scheming and political battles of numerous medieval monarchs, featuring more conspiracy and strategic manoeuvring than an instalment of Game of Thrones.

Several other actors who appeared in the production included The Walking Dead's David Morrissey, Dame Judi Dench, Sophie Okenedo, Julie Walters, Tom Hiddleston, Anton Lesser, John Hurt, Tom Sturridge, Sally Hawkins, Keeley Hawes and Adrian Dunbar, amongst numerous others.

The Hollow Crown is streaming on Prime Video for a fee