Just in case you weren’t satisfied with last year’s Liz & Dick, a TV movie that attempted to tell the story of the relationship between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the tale is getting a second chance with the upcoming BBC production Burton & Taylor.
Today, via The Playlist, we have a new, albeit short, trailer for the upcoming TV movie, which stars Helena Bonham Carter and Dominic West. Granted, the 47-second trailer doesn’t show us very much but we do know one thing for certain: the casting has been vastly improved this time around. Why anyone would trust Lindsay Lohan with the part of one of the most iconic actresses of all time is beyond me. All other actresses must have been busy at the time.
As I mentioned before when we learned of Carter signing on for Kenneth Branagh’s live-action Cinderella, I’ve loved her in pretty much everything I’ve seen her in. She plays such a variety of roles and is so good in all of them that she automatically elevates the level of any production she’s in, from Sweeney Todd and Harry Potter to Hamlet and Howard’s End. The funny thing is that many of her recent fans may not even recognize her in this trailer as this is one of the rare instances where she isn’t wearing quite as much makeup, which usually gives her a rather strange appearance that many have become accustomed to seeing.
Dominic West may not be as familiar a name, but he has several great films already under his belt including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 300, Richard III, and Chicago. Of course, he’s probably best known for his lead role on HBO’s hit show The Wire, which ended in 2008 but is still considered a masterpiece by many.
For those wondering just where the film is going to focus, an official synopsis tells us that it is about the “legendary acting duo and husband and wife, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, preparing for a 1983 theatrical production of the play ‘Private Lives’.”
Burton & Taylor is scheduled to air later this year in the UK, but unfortunately no date has been set for the US as of yet. However, I can’t imagine that it would be much longer after its UK premiere, so be sure to keep an eye out.
In the meantime, check out the short trailer below and let us know what you think in the comments!
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