The Hollow Crown

8:00pm Saturday 14 July on BBC TWO

Northumberland learns of the death of his son at the Battle of Shrewsbury, while the Lord Chief Justice attempts to separate Falstaff from Prince Hal on behalf of the frail King.

As the rebels continue to plot insurrection, Falstaff is sent to recruit soldiers and takes his leave of his mistress, Doll Tearsheet. The rebel forces are overcome. This brings comfort to the dying King, who is finally reconciled with his son. Falstaff rushes to Hal’s coronation with expectations of high office.

Northumberland is played by Alun Armstrong, Lord Chief Justice by Geoffrey Palmer, King Henry by Jeremy Irons, Falstaff by Simon Russell Beale, Prince Hal by Tom Hiddleston and Doll Tearsheet by Maxine Peake.

9:00pm Saturday 7 July on BBC TWO

Heir to the throne Prince Hal defies the King, his father, by spending his time at Mistress Quickly’s tavern in the company of the dissolute Falstaff and his companions.

The King is threatened by a rebellion led by Hal’s rival Hotspur, Hotspur’s father Northumberland and his uncle Worcester. In the face of this threat to the state Prince Hal joins his father at the Battle of Shrewsbury, defeating the rebels and killing Hotspur in single combat.

Prince Hal is played by Tom Hiddleston, King Henry by Jeremy Irons, Mistress Quickly by Julie Walters, Falstaff by Simon Russell Beale, Hotspur by Joe Armstrong, Northumberland by Alun Armstrong and Worcester by David Hayman.