Tim Curry Starred In A Forgotten Series About Shakespeare With An Impressive Cast

Tim Curry, renowned British actor, breathed his last on August 25 at the age of 80. Notably, he was celebrated for his roles in diverse characters before his demise. Curry's fame soared after his portrayal of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the 1975 cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A few years later, he embarked on a unique venture: William Shakespeare.

In a 1978 biographical drama, Curry portrayed the legendary playwright alongside a star-studded cast, including Paul Freeman, John Normington, Ron Cook, and Roger Lloyd Pack. This series, spanning six episodes, delved into Shakespeare's life from 1590-1607, focusing on his prolific period. The miniseries included Meg Wynn Owen as Anne Shakespeare and Patience Collier as Queen Elizabeth I. Shakespeare, who lived from 1564 to 1616, is credited with penning timeless classics such as The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, and Romeo and Juliet.

The series, penned by John Mortimer, was jointly produced by RAI and ATV. Given the limited factual records about Shakespeare's life, Mortimer employed creative liberty. Curry, an accomplished stage actor who garnered three Tony nominations, also received Emmy and Grammy nominations for his work. His film roles were equally impressive, encompassing Rooster in Annie, Wadsworth in Clue, and the chilling Pennywise in Stephen King's It.

The two-part production was directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, who granted Curry creative freedom during his portrayal of Shakespeare. Curry later shared his reflections on the production in his memoir, Vagabond, expressing respect for Stephen King's adaptation while acknowledging it wasn't a Stoppard experience. TVLine even listed It among the best horror shows of the 1990s.