Internationally acclaimed for bringing Shakespeare to a vast new audience, this pioneering series presents Twelfth Night, one of twelve in this series of animated masterpieces.

"A literary analysis of Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night. Includes information on the history and culture of Elizabethan England"--Provided by publisher.

Kenneth Branagh takes on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with the Renaissance Theatre Company. The exemplary cast includes Richard Briers as Malvolio, Frances Barber as Viola, Caroline Langrishe as Olivia, Christopher Ravenscroft as Orsino, and James Saxon as Sir Toby Belch. The original music for this production is by Paul McCartney and Pat Doyle.

Shipwrecked off the coast of the mythical land of Illyria, a young woman named Viola (Seana McKenna) and her twin brother, Sebastian (Ernest Harrop), each believe the other has drowned. Disguising herself as a boy, Viola takes the name Cesario and enters the service of Illyria's Duke Orsino (Colm Feore). She is sent to woo the Countess Olivia (Maria Ricossa) on Orsino's behalf, but Olivia instead falls in love with Cesario, now love's unwilling messenger....

Six episodes combine history, biography, iconic performances, new analysis, and the personal passion of their celebrated hosts (Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, Trevor Nunn, Joely Richardson, and David Tennant) to tell the story behind the stories of Shakespeare's greatest plays.

One of the joys and challenges of being an actor is the unpredictable nature of what new character may enter your life for some period of time. But what about the actor who plays the same character on a television series year after year? What are his or her challenges? Is there a point where it’s hard for them or their audience, to know where the actor’s personality ends and the character’s begins? How does the actor deliver a believable and...