The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses has released a first promo photo of Benedict Cumberbatch.
The 38-year-old actor is dressed in a black doublet and cloak as Richard III, and sits atop the character's infamous horse. Benedict will portray the villainous monarch in a new BBC adaptation of William Shakespeare tragedy Richard III. The network is producing the play and a two-part adaptation of Henry VI under the title The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses.
Richard III dramatizes Richard, Duke of Gloucester's murderous rise to power, and subsequent short reign as King Richard III of England. The television movie will also star Judi Dench as Cecily, Duchess of York and Sophie Okonedo as Queen Margaret.
Cumberbatch will appear in The Imitation Game in November, and is also scheduled for Penguins of Madagascar and The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies.