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S23E2

Picturing Shakespeare

Premiere: 11/12/2025 | 0:32 |

There are only two accepted representations of William Shakespeare that are considered “official” – but could a portrait that has been hanging over a family’s mantelpiece for the last 50 years be the third? British window washer Steven Wadlow, whose father bought the portrait in the 1960s, is on the hunt to prove the painting is indeed genuine. If so, it could be worth as much as $200 million.

Premiere: 11/12/2025
PBS   •   PBS App

About the Episode

There are only two accepted representations of William Shakespeare that are considered “official” – but could a portrait that has been hanging over a family’s mantelpiece for the last 50 years be the third? British window washer Steven Wadlow, whose father bought the portrait in the 1960s, is on the hunt to prove the painting is indeed genuine. If so, it could be worth as much as $200 million

Secrets of the Dead: Picturing Shakespeare is a production of Barkingmad TV Limited for Blue Ant International, in association with The WNET Group. Narrated by Jay O. Sanders. Directed, produced, and edited by Madoc Roberts. For Secrets of the Dead: Julian Lim is producer; Benjamin Phelps is senior supervising producer; Stephanie Carter is executive producer; Stephen Segaller is executive in charge.

Series funding for Secrets of the Dead is provided by public television viewers.

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TRANSCRIPT

-On "Secrets of the Dead"... Could this painting b a rare portrait of Shakespeare?

-We cannot be 100% sure what Shakespeare looked like.

-You could see it in his eyes: he is a man of the stage, and the theatre.

-And if it's genuine?

-Could be worth anything from 100 to 200 million, which is obviously worth investigating further.

-Picturing Shakespeare... on "Secrets of the Dead."