Weekly Rewind | 18 August 2017

The Almeida's Critically Acclaimed Production of Hamlet, Starring Andrew Scott, to be Broadcasted on BBC Two

The BBC has announced that the West End production of Hamlet will air on BBC Two in 2018. The production, which initially opened at the Almeida Theatre earlier this year before its transfer to the West End, is directed by Robert Icke and stars Andrew Scott. The production has received numerous glowing reviews from critics, many of whom have given the show five-stars. The production, which is currently running at the Harold Pinter Theatre, will close on 2nd September. The cast of Hamlet also includes Peter Wight, Angus Wright, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Derbhle Crotty. 
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Everything about this production makes me scream "YES!" Hamlet, Andrew Scott, Robert Icke, BBC Two - I'm a massive fan of all these things. I honestly don't think it's physically possible to express how excited I am to be able to see this production. Robert Icke, after seeing his chilling production of 1984. His production of Hamlet is meant to sublime and just from the promotional material I can't help but to get excited. And Andrew Scott as Hamlet - need I say more? Bloody brilliant, that is! I honestly don't think I can wait till 2018. 

ITV's Victoria Returns for Its Second Series

ITV has announced that their hit show Victoria will return on 27th August. The first series of the royal drama, which aired last autumn, was a major hit both in the UK and internationally. The second series sees a young Queen Victoria balancing motherhood and monarchy while trying to maintain a relationship with her husband. The program stars Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria, Tom Hughes as Prince Albert, Nell Hudson as Nancy Skerrett, and Ferdinand Kingsley as Charles Francatelli. 
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There has been some ruckus in the news about this announcement. It looks like the BBC and ITV will be going head-to-head with their new shows airing on the same date (the BBC's being J.K. Rowling's Strike series). Personally, I will be choosing Strike over Victoria, simply because I'm loyal to the Beebs and Strike strikes (lol) my fancy more than Victoria. And, to be honest, I wasn't interested enough to actually watch the first series of Victoria (which is completely unlike me because I'm mad for costume dramas, especially Royal ones at that, but I did catch the tail end of the final episode, which was good, so I might be inclined to go back and watch it. But we'll see. 

David Tennant to Join Josie Rourke’s Mary, Queen of Scots

David Tennant has been announced as joining Josie Rourke’s new movie about the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Tennant joins a cast comprised of Margot Robbie (Queen Elizabeth), Saoirse Ronan (Mary Stuart), Brendan Coyle, Martin Compston, Guy Pearce and Jack Lowden. The film, directed by theatre director Josie Rourke, will follow Mary Stuart’s return to Scotland from France and her attempt to overthrow her cousin Elizabeth I from the throne. The film has already begun shooting in England and Scotland and is due to be released in 2018.
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One, I’m quite fond of Scottish history, so this film seems quite enticing to me (even though I simply can’t bearElizabethan dramas). Two, I’m quite fond of David Tennant. I think he is a fantastic actor, and I think he will be a great asset to this cast (seeing as he is, in fact, Scottish). Three, it will be interesting to see Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I. It doesn’t seem like her typical role, but I am interested none-the-less.