CHARLES Dance is taking on a completely new challenge in the BBC’s latest historical docu-drama, Renaissance: The Blood and The Beauty.
Known for playing the commanding Lord Mountbatten in The Crown, the actor looks unrecognisable in his new role as the older version of Michelangelo.
Gone are his immaculate suits and closely cropped haircuts.
Charles, 77, can be seen wearing period-accurate costumes while representing the legendary artist in his later years.
The actor has also grown out his hair and developed a beard for the new role.
This BBC-PBS co-production plans to explore the tumultuous world of Renaissance Italy.
The show takes place during a time when art and political intrigue collided to create some of the greatest masterpieces in Western history.
Over three episodes viewers will get a glimpse into the lives of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael.
The three artists’ rivalries and collaborations fueled a 50-year creative explosion that changed the face of art forever.
Renaissance: The Blood and The Beauty is set to examine how masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the David were born in an age of violence and upheaval.
Contemporary artists Antony Gormley, Alison Lapper, and David LaChapelle will also make an appearance on the show to offer their insights.
The series is framed around Michelangelo’s later years as he reflects on his life’s triumphs and struggles during a period marked by war, political upheaval, and personal rivalries.
The BBC Arts Commissioning Editor Alistair Pegg shared some thoughts on the new project, saying: “We’re delighted to offer a new perspective on the Renaissance, as this series explores how some of the most famous achievements in Western art emerged out of a dark time of war and political turmoil.”
Executive Producer Alexander Leith added: “The Renaissance is a pivotal moment in the history of art, and we’re thrilled to have been able to bring it to life in such an engaging way – and the tell the real story behind some of the Western world’s most familiar and celebrated artworks.”
