The Taming of the Shrew 

A young harridan MP marries a title in order to advance towards her goal of becoming party leader.

Director:

David Richards

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Sally Wainwright (screenplay)

Stars:

Shirley Henderson, David Mitchell, Simon Chandler

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Shirley Henderson	...	Kate Minola
David Mitchell	...	Tim Agnew
Simon Chandler	...	John Naps
Jaime Murray	...	Bianca Minola
Federico Zanni	...	Tranio
Santiago Cabrera	...	Lucentio
Stephen Tompkinson	...	Harry
Twiggy	...	Mrs. Minola (as Twiggy Lawson)
Yves Aubert	...	French Waiter
Rufus Sewell	...	Petruchio
Paul McNeilly	...	Scary Yob
Samuel Oatley	...	Journalist
Bruce Mackinnon	...	Vicar
Kate Russell-Smith	...	Elaine
David Weber	...	Barman

Storyline

Katherine is extremely abrasive in her dealings with everyone, both in Parliament and her personal life. Her sister Bianca couldn't be more different -- a popular model whom everyone loves. Bianca's long time manager wants to marry her; in order to put him off she says she won't marry until her sister is wed (a prospect she knows will keep her safe.) So her manager arranges his friend -- who is a titled Earl -- to meet and marry Kate and the battle is on.

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Plot Keywords:

power play | shakespeare's the taming of the shrew | based on play | parliament | man cooking for woman | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2005 (UK)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Drama Group, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Horsebridge Productions Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

They prepared 3 tables and 3 carpets for the scene in which Katherine flips the table over. Each had glasses made of sugar glass and wax plates. All the meals had to be salad so that the food wouldn't melt the plates. Luckily they did it in one take and were able to move out the restaurant so that it could open for lunch.

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Goofs

Having spent all day in her wedding dress carrying out such activities as changing a car tire and walking down dirt roads, by the end of the day Katherine's wedding dress is perfectly clean and pressed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Kate: Fathead!
[she slaps him]
Tim Agnew: You hit me!
Kate: You gave me that information. You made me look like a political pygmy, on Newsnight. Your job, in case you weren't concentrating, is to make sure I know what I'm pigging well talking about!
Tim Agnew: You're out of order, Katherine. I'm sorry, but good grief!
Kate: And you're sacked! No wonder this party has been the opposition for the last ten million light years!
Tim Agnew: You can't sack me, and, frankly, I'd appreciate an apology. Otherwise...
Kate: Otherwise?
Tim Agnew: If we're to ...
[...]

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Connections

Version of Studio One in Hollywood: The Taming of the Shrew (1950)

User Reviews

Fantastic

The romance was off beat and Kate was a little strange but it just goes to show that 2 complete opposites can be perfect for each other in every way. They just needed someone to - corny line coming up - Complete them.

This story shows that love can change people for the better and meeting a person who is not like you in the outside world but has exactly the same insecurities and needs on the inside is a rare and beautiful thing.

They should make more dramas like this.

This is one retold Shakespeare story i would watch again and again.

I hope it wasn't just me but i thought Rufus looked remarkably HOT in that skirt.