Part 1

Experience the marvel and mystery of Shakespeare's sonnets like never before in this vivid performance series. This episode features Sonnets 1 to 51, an immortal collection of love poems, brought to life by a star-studded cast including Sir Patrick Stewart, David Tennant, Siân Phillips, and Fiona Shaw. Poets Don Paterson and Sir Andrew Motion lend their voices to some of the most exquisite verses ever written, while leading scholars, such as Professors Katherine Duncan-Jones and James Shapiro, unravel the sonnets' origins and the mindset of their enigmatic author. Each sonnet is performed with highlighted text, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in and understand these timeless works with unparalleled clarity. This groundbreaking series redefines the art of filmed readings.