Margot Robbie is one of the biggest names in film nowadays, but she has a new project in the works that should deliver something unprecedented to the small screen. She and her production company are working with ABC to produce a series that will adapt the works of Shakespeare for TV. They won't just be the Shakespeare stories we all know, however. They'll be retold from the female perspective, which means we'll be getting some new twists on some very old stories. Here's what we know so far.
ABC is partnering with Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, to produce a currently untitled series that will retell Shakespeare's stories from a female point-of-view in a contemporary setting. The show got an order of 10 episodes straight out of the gate. All ten episodes will be standalone, which hopefully means that the series will draw from a variety of Shakespeare's works. He penned more than 35 plays; there should be no shortage of works to retell from the female perspective. EW reports that the new project is set for production in Australia. No premiere window has been announced a this point, but filming is slated to begin in late 2018.
The show will reflect a variety of cultures and areas and be handled by a female creative team. Writers for the various episodes will hail from different locations in Australia, some of which many might not associate with Shakespeare. There's no word of whether or not Margot Robbie herself will appear in any of the episodes. She may be far too busy with her movie career to drop in on the show in front of the camera, but we'll have to wait and see.
On the one hand, this series seems unique enough that it could be a major hit with viewers. Margot Robbie's name attached certainly won't hurt, and the novelty of a Shakespearean show adjusted to contemporary times and focusing on the female perspective could attract an audience. That said, series like ABC's Still Star Crossed and TNT's Will indicate that stories associated with Shakespeare may not sell. Only time will tell. The good news is that the standalone nature of the episodes means that the show won't end on a cliffhanger no matter when it concludes.
Obviously it's too soon to say if this project has what it takes to win an audience, but I'm totally on board with the premise. Give me Hamlet from Ophelia's perspective! Produce Macbeth -- or "The Scottish Play," if the case may be -- with an emphasis on Lady Macbeth! Deliver a Taming of the Shrew that is more along the lines of 10 Things I Hate About You than what Shakespeare actually wrote! Honestly, I'd take a Much Ado About Nothing that ends on a twist of Hero totally spurning Claudio in front of a crowd for being the worst at their first attempt at a wedding. Sign me up!
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest in TV news. It may be a while before the Shakespeare series hits the airwaves, so be sure to check out our midseason TV premiere guide for what you can watch in the meantime. If streaming is more your style, our 2018 Netflix premiere guide and 2018 Amazon Prime schedule can help you out. Don't forget to take a look at our rundown of TV renewals and cancellations as well.
