Serial Shakespeare

Shakespeare is everywhere in contemporary media culture.<i> </i>This book explores the reasons for this dissemination and reassemblage. Ranging widely over American TV drama it discusses the use of citations in <i>Westworld</i> and <i>The Wire</i> demonstrating how they tap into but also transform Shakespeare's preferred themes and concerns. It then examines the presentation of female presidents in shows such as <i>Commander in Chief </i>and <i>House of Cards</i> revealing how they are modelled on figures of female sovereignty from his plays. Finally it analyses the specifically Shakespearean dramaturgy of <i>Deadwood</i> and <i>The Americans</i>. Ultimately the book brings into focus the way serial TV drama appropriates Shakespeare in order to give voice to the unfinished business of the American cultural imaginary.