This is one of the best TV versions of Shakespeare I’ve ever seen! It is a 2005 BBC retelling “Much Ado,” told without Shakespeare’s dialogue, but using the same characters and stories. In this version, Benedick and Beatrice are TV reporters, (Damian Lewis and Sarah Parrish respectively) while Hero (Billie Piper from Dr. Who) is a charming weather girl, smitten with Claude, the handsome sports reporter.

This version is extraordinarily clever in its adaptation of Shakespeare’s lines, and its storytelling is brilliant. For instance, Don John in this version is a clever visual effects artist, who deceives Claude by faking a videotape of Hero with another man, and broadcasting it through the studio!

I don’t want to give too much away, but this version has an ending I think even Shakespeare would’ve been proud of, and by the way, the acting is spectacular, (especially from Billie Piper as Hero).

Enjoy!