Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes when TV producers and historians try to bring the past to life? Picture creative tussles and the occasional “Can we make this exciting and accurate?” showdown. Turning any famous life into a documentary is tricky, but is there any historical subject as slippery as Shakespeare? When Shakespeare: Rise of a Genius hit our screens, viewers enjoyed moody lighting, dramatic ruffs and authoritative interviewees. What they didn’t see was the careful juggling act backstage: keeping it entertaining without bending the truth too far, adding drama without losing credibility, and deciding exactly how bold you dare to be when the historical record gets fuzzy. Join series producers Alice Boorman and Luke Boneham-Ahmed alongside historical consultants Professor Emma Smith and Professor Ewan Fernie as they spill the behind-the-scenes tea — anxieties, regrets, creative stand-offs and all. Expect lively debate, good-natured sparring and plenty of banter as they try to answer the age-old question: what’s the perfect working relationship between a TV producer and a historian?