We’re always trying to track what historical costume movies and TV shows are coming up. I always feel like we’ve Just Posted one of these, and then I go check and it’s been months. So, yay, we get some new stuff! As always, you can keep an eye on what’s forthcoming on our Upcoming Movies page!
May 3
Bolden
“A mythical account of the life of Buddy Bolden, the first Cornet King of New Orleans.”
Tell It To the Bees
In 1950s small town Britain, a doctor develops a relationship with her young patient’s mother. Starring Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger.
May 5
The Spanish Princess (on Starz)
Philippa Fucking Gregory. Catherine of Aragon. We’ll be recapping this, so strap in! Costumes by Phoebe de Gaye.
May 10
All Is True
The final days of Shakespeare, featuring Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, & Ian McKellen. Costumes by Michael O’Connor.
The Professor and the Madman
A professor begins work on the first Oxford English Dictionary in the 19th century and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at a lunatic asylum. Yes, but it has Mel Gibson, so, ugh. Costumes by Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh.
Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien, a lovelorn soldier on his return from World War I, creates the fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings.”
May 23
The Name of the Rose (on AMC)
TV series based on Umberto Eco’s novel following a medieval monk investigating a series of murders. Costumes by Maurizio Millenotti.
May 31
Deadwood (on HBO)
Full-length film based on the TV series, ‘Deadwood.’ Costumes by Janie Bryant.
July 31
The Current War
Biopic of Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse set in the late 1880s. Benedict Cumberbatch stars. Yes, Virginia, this is FINALLY getting released after years of being caught up in the Harvey Weinstein scandal.
September 20
Downton Abbey
A feature film continuation of the TV show (so, set in the 1920s). Costumes by Anna Robbins. We’ve still only got the “sneak peak” which really doesn’t show much of anything.
No Release Date
Red Joan
The story of Joan Stanley, who was exposed as the KGB’s longest-serving British spy. With Judi Dench. Costumes by Charlotte Walter.
Vita and Virginia
The love affair between socialite and popular author Vita Sackville-West and literary icon Virginia Woolf. Costumes by Lorna Marie Mugan.
Which upcoming movie or TV show are you most excited about?
Red Joan is on release here in New York. I don’t know when it might be going wide.
Ooh, so many choices! I’m intrigued by “All Is True” and “Red Joan”. “The Current War” looks interesting too. And am I mistaken or is Ian McShane everywhere right now?
All look intriguing, except for the Spanish Princess by Philippa effing Gregory.
BTW added HBO for GOT seasons 7 and 8 and Gentlemen Jack. saw Gentleman Jack episode 1. I’m hooked. Hope it last a few seasons.
GIVE ME ALL THE QUEER LADIES
😍😍😍😍
Hell Yeah, all the lady loving! So many interesting things coming our way. So other than the horrid looking (as usual) Philippa Gregory shit, the only thing I might not be able to watch is Mel Gibson. If they had someone else for the role, I’ld be sold. Oh, and I’ll watch anything with Dame Judi Dench in it.
Ugh Mel Gibson AND Sean Penn ugh ugh ugh. Especially since the story is so interesting. Why does Hollywood keep giving these shitty men chances? (Good actors, crap people.) Everything else looks interesting, if only for the Frock Flick snark opportunities when it comes to The Spanish Princess! :D
Just saw something about a new Hamlet version focusing on Ophelia to put on the radar—they seem to be going vague medieval based on the trailer.
One of the world’s greatest dramas is turned on its head through a bold and new perspective in OPHELIA. Set in medieval Denmark and spoken in a modern tongue with a poetic twist, it recalibrates the classic Shakespearean tragedy of “Hamlet” so that its unspoken, complex heroine may share her own story. As a rebellious and motherless child, Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) is taken into Elsinore Castle by Queen Gerturde (Naomi Watts) as one of her most trusted ladies-in-waiting. Soon enough, Ophelia captures the affections of the young Prince Hamlet (George MacKay). A passionate romance kindles between the two in secret as the kingdom is on the brink of war amidst its own political intrigue and betrayal. When Hamlet’s father is murdered and the prince’s wits begin to unravel into an insatiable quest for vengeance, Ophelia sharply navigates the rules of power in Denmark all while struggling to choose between her true love and her own life.
Good cast but I’m not convinced on the costume/hair choices yet—I mean, I like a good art reference too (hello pre-raphaelites) but at one point in the trailer there’s definitely a girl who looks like she’s a 2000s retro boho chic type with a scarf in her hair, and everything is pretty vague. I also am not sure about the “new perspective”—I consider this site’s excellent post on how to make a feminist film the seminal guide on this, and I’m not sure most people are that attached to portraying women’s lives as they were still. Hope you get a chance to check it out!
Boy oh boy am I looking forward to your recaps of The Spanish Princess. I keep seeing the ads on Facebook and it makes me grind my teeth.