WNET Season to Feature Joseph Papp and Mel Brooks Profiles Plus Starry Shakespeare History Plays

By Adam Hetrick
29 Jun 2012

Joe Papp
Joe Papp

As part of its 50th anniversary season, New York's PBS station WNET/Thirteen will offer programming on Joseph Papp and Mel Brooks as well as a new film series of Shakespeare's history plays, featuring Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Irons and more, in association with the BBC.

Thirteen has not announced dates of programming for the 2013 season at this time; however, two "American Masters" profiles will be dedicated to the life and careers of Tony and Academy Award winner Mel Brooks and late Public Theater founder Joseph Papp. The Papp segement will be the new documentary "Joe Papp in Five Acts."

In collaboration with the BBC, PBS Thirteen will broadcast an all-star presentation of Shakespeare's history plays, including Richard II, Henry VI, Parts 1 and 2, and Henry V.

BBC principal casting for Richard II, directed by Rupert Goold, includes Ben Whishaw in the title role, with Rory Kinnear as Bolingbroke, Patrick Stewart as John of Gaunt, David Suchet as The Duke of York, David Morrissey as Northumberland, Tom Hughes as Aumerle, James Purefoy as Mowbray, Clemence Poésy as Queen Isabella and Lindsay Duncan as the Duchess of York.

Casting for Henry IV (Parts I and II), directed and adapted by Richard Eyre, includes Jeremy Irons as Henry IV, with Tom Hiddleston as Prince Hal, Simon Russell Beale as Falstaff, Julie Walters as Mistress Quickly, Joe Armstrong as Hotspur, Michelle Dockery as Lady Percy, Maxine Peake as Doll Tearsheet, Niamh Cusack as Lady Northumberland, Alun Armstrong as Northumberland, Reece Shearsmith as Davy, Tom Georgeson as Bardolph, Paul Ritter as Pistol, Douglas Henshall as Mowbray, Iain Glen as Warwick and Geoffrey Palmer as Lord Chief Justice.

The cast of Henry V, directed by Thea Sharrock, features Tom Hiddleston as Henry V, John Hurt as The Chorus, Julie Walters as Mistress Quickly, Lambert Wilson as the King of France, Mélanie Thierry as Princess Katherine, Anton Lesser as Exeter, Paterson Joseph as York, Edward Akrout as Louis, The Dauphin, Stanley Weber as Duke of Orleans, Owen Teale as Fluellen, Richard Griffiths as the Duke of Burgundy, Tom Georgeson as Bardolph and Paul Ritter as Pistol.

Additional details will be announced shortly. Visit WNET.org.