The Hollow Crown: The Wars Of The Roses: Benedict Cumberbatch says filming the latest William Shakespeare adaptation was 'brutal'

'We were fighting in fields and in rivers with water literally up to our chests'

The cast of The Hollow Crown (BBC)

The first part of the BBC’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Henry VI and Richard III, titled The Hollow Crown: The Wars Of The Roses, has been met with critical acclaim, praise being heaped onto the all-star cast, including the likes of Tom Sturridge, Michael Gambon and Sophie Okonedo.

One headline claims the show “outdoes Game of Thrones”, a show notorious for its graphic imagery. It should be no surprise that Benedict Cumberbatch - who will play Richard III in the second and third episodes of the show - has called filming the show’s battle scenes “brutal”.

"We were carrying around weapons of steel and aluminium, which were props but could still do a great deal of damage," he told The Mirror.

"We were fighting in fields and in rivers with water literally up to our chests. It was brutal. The broadsword as a weapon could crack your skull open with just a glancing blow.

"It really is such a barbarous way to go about winning power. I'm in awe of it. The training was tough - all of us would come away from training looking shell-shocked and pale.”

Speaking about the Sherlock actor, Dame Judi Dench - who will play the Duchess of York in the third episode - described him as a “terrific actor”.

“He'd just come back from the Toronto Film Festival the night before, after doing all those crazy junket interviews, walked in and then read the whole of the Henry VI plays followed by Richard III. He has that ability not to take himself too seriously, as well as being a terrific actor.”

The Hollow Crown: The War Of The Roses will return on 14 May on BBC Two.