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The Story of the Costume Drama

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2008-2008
1 Season
Documentary

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This documentary series looks at the British costume drama genre, and features clips and interviews with both the stars and those who worked behind the camera. Episode one focuses on the great stories that enthralled England and the world. Episode two discusses the stars who made costume dramas and the costume dramas that made actors into stars. Episode three explores the romance and passion. Episode four focuses on the sets, scenery, makeup, costumes, and little details that go into the dramas. Lastly, in episode five, costume dramas go to war.

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Cast & Crew See All

Keeley Hawes

Self - Narrator

Alex Kingston

Self

Charity Wakefield

Self

Season 1 Episode Guide See All

Episode 1

The Greatest Stories Ever Told

44 mins

An overview of the genre, from its beginnings with swashbuckling series The Adventures of Robin Hood to classic period dramas such as The Forsyte Saga, Upstairs Downstairs and Brideshead Revisited. This episode traces the changes the genre has undergone in its 50 year history and speaks to stars of the shows featured including Susan Hampshire, Timothy West, Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Anthony Andrews, Alex Kingston and Art Malik. We also speak to those involved behind the cameras including directors, screenwriters and commissioners - as well as TV critics and journalists.

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