Benedict Cumberbatch says training for The Hollow Crown's battle scenes was 'brutal'

Benedict Cumberbatch has said filming the battle scenes for The Hollow Crown: The Wars Of The Roses was “brutal”.

The Sherlock star, 39, plays Richard III in the concluding part of the BBC Two adaptations of Shakespeare’s history plays.

The first series of The Hollow Crown, broadcast in 2012, comprised Richard II, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, and Henry V, with Ben Whishaw winning a Bafta for Richard II.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars Of The Roses also features the very best of British talent and covers Henry VI Parts 1 & 2, and Richard III.

Viewers can expect to see bloody recreations of the battles over the throne of England between the House of Lancaster and the House of York, two branches descended from Edward III.

Benedict admitted training for the Shakespearean epic was “tough”.