Richard III with Antony Sher

In episode six of Shakespeare Uncovered, the late Sir Antony Sher reveals how the great English playwright created both a loathsome and brilliant ''Richard III.''

Sher's 1977 interpretation of the infamous king defined the role for a generation. At Stratford-upon-Avon, he finds the hunchback costume he wore and reflects on his decision to play the character’s deformities by giving him tremendous energy despite his physical setbacks.

He hears from Shakespeare expert Michael Dobson that the play’s portrayal is not an accurate representation of the real king, while novelist Andrew Dickson asks why anyone would help the evil character that literary scholar Stephen Greenblatt describes as a bully and fascist.

This truly is Shakespeare uncovered.