An Age of Kings

The United States broadcast of the series the following year was hosted by University of Southern California professor Frank Baxter, who provided an introduction for each episode specifically tailored for the American audience.

[1] At the time, An Age of Kings was the most conceptually ambitious Shakespeare project ever undertaken, containing over 600 speaking roles, and requiring thirty weeks of rehearsal prior to performance.

[2] Peter Dews described the set as "a large permanent structure; platforms, steps, corridors, pillars, and gardens, which will house nearly all the plays' action and which will, despite its outward realism, be not very far from Shakespeare's "unworthy scaffold".

For example, "The Deposing of the King" ends with a shot of Northumberland's dagger stabbed into Henry IV's paperwork, visually alluding to his later rebellion.

"The Sun in Splendour" ends with George, Duke of Clarence almost falling into a vat of wine, only to be saved by his brother, Richard, who looks deviously at the camera and smiles, alluding to his subsequent murder.

"The Dangerous Brother" ends with Richard watching the sleeping Princes in the Tower before smiling to himself and then blowing out a candle, again alluding to his planned murder.

Head of BBC drama Michael Barry referred to these "teasers" by explaining that "a strengthened purpose is added to the narrative when it is wholly seen, and we are able to look forward to 'what happens next'.

Shakespeare scholar and Emmy Award-winning Frank Baxter of the University of Southern California provided commentary on the "historical, geographical and genealogical backgrounds of the plays.

Sean Connery in Alfred Hitchcock 's Marnie (1964). Connery was a relatively unknown actor when he was cast as Henry 'Hotspur' Percy in An Age of Kings .
Julian Glover in 2011. Like many actors, Glover played multiple characters across the entire series, appearing in all but one episode.
Hermione Baddeley appeared in a single episode only, portraying Doll Tearsheet .
Judi Dench was already a well-known Shakespearean performer when she was cast as Katherine of Valois .
Nan Marriott-Watson in 1922. She appeared in a single episode, portraying " Mother Jordan ".
Patrick Garland in 1969. Having played the important role of Henry V's brother John, Duke of Bedford in the early episodes, Garland played the equally important role of Richard III's brother George, Duke of Clarence in later episodes.
Richard III was portrayed in An Age of Kings by Paul Daneman . In a 1953 production of the tetralogy at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre directed by Douglas Seale , Daneman had played one of Richard's royal predecessors, Henry V.