King of Texas (2002) Production: Television Movie Producer: Hallmark Entertainment & Flying Freehold Director: Uli Edel Scriptwriter: Stephen Harrigan Cast: Patrick Stewart, Marcia Gay Harden, Lauren Holly, Roy Scheider, Colm Meaney, Patrick Bergin, David Alan Grier, Stephen Bauer, Matt Letscher, Julie Cox Film Role: John Lear (lead)

Synopsis: In King of Texas, Shakespeare's classic tale of the King of Britain is updated to 1840s Texas. John Lear (Stewart), a wealthy, megalomaniacal rancher, challenges his three daughters to prove their loyalty in order to claim their inheritance. When his youngest daughter Claudia (Cox), refuses to take the challenge, Lear disowns her, unwittingly causing his own downfall.

King of Texas tackles the shared Western and Shakespearean themes of good vs. evil, vengeance and redemption. Harden will play Susannah and Holly will portray Rebecca, Lear's eldest daughters. Bergin will portray Rebecca's brutish husband Highsmith. In a rare dramatic turn, Grier will portray Lear's razor-tongued ranch hand, and Letscher will play the ruthless son of Westover (Scheider), a neighboring rancher who tries to save Lear from himself. Bauer will portray Menchaca, a fierce rival of Lear and Claudia's love-interest.

Airdates on TNT:
Sunday, June 2nd @ 8pm(ET)
Sunday, June 2nd @ 10pm(ET)
Monday, June 3rd @ 12am(ET)
Thursday, June 6th @ 9pm(ET)
Thursday, June 6th @ 11pm(ET)
Sunday, June 9th @ 1:30pm(ET)
Saturday, June 15th @ 3:15pm(ET)

Related links:
Is This A Dagger, Dude? (8/26/2002) — From The Guardian
Top 15 Cable Programs - Ratings (6/8/2002) — From tv.zap2it.com
Patrick Stewart goes Western with Shakespeare's `King Lear' (6/1/2002) — Interview from Kansas City Star
Patrick Stewart transports 'King Lear' to Texas (5/31/2002) — Interview from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sensor Sweep: Stewart's King (5/31/2002) — From startrek.com
Patrick Stewart's Texas Pride (5/31/2002) — Interview/review from TV Guide
King Lear Set In Texas Takes Mighty Big Look At Shakespeare (5/31/2002) — From San Diego Union-Tribune
The Today Show (5/30/2002) — Interview from msnbc.com (video)
The Yellow Rose of Texas (5/30/2002) — From Hollywood.com
Interview on CNN Live at Daybreak (5/29/2002) — From CNN.com - Transcript
Stewart Takes Shakespeare to 'Texas' (5/29/2002) — Interview from ZAP2it
Patrick Chats on Talk Today at USAToday.com (5/28/2002) — Transcript
Uli Edel's King of Texas (5/1/2002) — From dga.org
Official TNT Original Movie Website
Entertainment Weekly Movie Page
Hallmark Entertainment  — Synopsis, cast information, production photos, trailers
Internet Movie Database Movie Page
King Lear - The Play - Synopsis
Movie Review Query Engine — Links to King of Texas Reviews