Director/Executive Producer Shekhar Kapur returns to the podcast to discuss the Will finale with host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce, and to explain why he believes that if Shakespeare were to write a play about his life today, it would be similar to TNT's Will. The trio provide insight into Topcliffe's real-life undoing, how the fundamentalist natures of Robert Southwell and Topcliffe mirror the evil in today's society, the price of genius, and what it took to balance the series' political thriller angle with the personal love story between Will and Alice. Plus, they give background on the incredible cast whose amazing performances brought the series to life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce explore the Elizabethan philosophy of "live fast, die young, and leave a pox-ridden corpse," and how it's the same force that drives any third world country or poverty stricken area today; the need to accomplish and do things "now" because there might not be a tomorrow! Craig shares the six-week trip to India that inspired his writing on Will, and also provides a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at the 5 acre backlot at the studio in Wales that became the show's muddy streets of London. You'll also discover more details about Will's set design, and the full scale theater interior built for Shakespeare's company.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce discuss the ramifications of what it meant for William Shakespeare to write a political play in his time, and how he achieved that without punishment. They examine the Elizabethan torture mentality on the grounds of religion and how it relates to today's modern society and political climate. And they reveal that the collaboration between Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare was not as unusual as it seemed since one third of all Elizabethan plays were collaborations. Plus, Craig talks about the significance of the episode's title "A Plague on Both Your Houses," and how he employed a very Shakespearean plot device in the writing of this specific episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce discuss the real theater blaze that inspired the opening scene of the episode, and the importance of wealthy theater patrons in those days. They also provide a more detailed look at Burbage and explain why he was such a theater visionary during that time period. They talk about Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus," and how it was likely inspired by his own life and experiences as an atheist and gay man unable to live openly with his lover. And they draw parallels between the people of Elizabethan times living on the cusp of change just like today's modern society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce discuss the rock & roll lifestyle of the theater, the real riots that often erupted around the theater, and the roles of the apprentices. They discuss the influence of the Punk Rock movement of the 70s in London on this specific episode, and how both the music and the dress trends of 70s London were blended with Elizabethan dress trends to create what viewers see and hear in Will. Plus, they reveal the mysterious "dark lady" to whom Shakespeare was thought to have written over half of his sonnets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce discuss the importance of humanizing Topcliffe, and his inability to connect with people. They also look at Will, the family man, with the arrival of his wife and children in this episode, and Will's struggle to do the right thing by his family while pursuing his own dream. And they reveal the root of Christopher Marlowe's fascination with death, and the impact it had on his life and writing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce discuss the real Topcliffe who lived in Elizabethan times, and served as the Queen's Chief Persecutor of Catholics. They address the real torture chamber that existed in Topcliffe's mansion, and the reason why there is virtually no recorded history of Topcliffe save a handful of very chatty letters to the Queen. Craig also reveals his inspiration for the Alice Burbage character in the series and her love affair with Will, and addresses the surprise episode ending that has Will fighting against himself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce and Director/Executive Producer Shekhar Kapur provide background and insight into the introduction of Shakespeare's cousin, Robert Southwell and his role in Shakespeare's life, and explain how the printing press became the "social media" of Shakespeare's day. They also reveal that while Shakespeare was one of the greatest writers of all time, he was also one of the greatest thieves!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Host Michael Wood and Creator/Executive Producer Craig Pearce and Director/Executive Producer Shekhar Kapur break down the first two episodes of TNT's new series, Will. They discuss the historic conflict between Catholics and Protestants and why it's so critical to Will's story, and the importance of art and theater as the center of public discourse during Shakespeare's time. They also provide greater background detail on rock star playwright Christopher Marlowe, and his significance in the story and in Will's own life. And what does the music of The Clash and The Sex Pistols have to say about William Shakespeare?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The official companion podcast to the TNT original series Will, a new drama about a young William Shakespeare. Join historian Michael Wood each week for an in-depth episode discussion with Craig Pearce (creator and executive producer) and Shekhar Kapur (executive producer and director), as they reveal behind-the-scenes details and parse fact from fiction in Shakespeare's mysterious backstory. 

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