BONUS: Anne Hathaway — reimagining Shakespeare’s wife

Anne Hathaway was married to William Shakespeare for nearly 34 years, until his death in 1616. What was she like? What kind of relationship did she have with her famous husband? That’s been largely left a mystery to historians — but a delicious mystery for creators of fiction to play with.

This bonus episode delves into two fresh and thrilling depictions of Anne Hathaway: the hit Broadway musical “& Juliet” and new, intimate two-person play “Muse of Fire.”

Previous works imagining Shakespeare’s life have not been kind to Anne Hathaway, leaving her behind in Stratford-upon-Avon, illiterate, and often cheated on by her husband. “& Juliet” and “Muse of Fire,” meanwhile, both depict Anne and Will Shakespeare working through some marital challenges but ultimately as a couple head over heels for each other and Anne as a vivacious, strong-willed woman.

Anne Hathaway is having her moment on the big screen too — this episode also features some discussion of the portrayal of Anne aka Agnes in the film and book “Hamnet.”

Also discussed: what’s up with Shakespeare leaving his wife the “second-best bed” in his will, plus the new research that revealed that the real Anne Hathaway — contrary to assumptions she remained in Stratford — may have joined her playwright husband living in London.

Guests on this episode:

• Teal Wicks (she/her) is currently playing Anne Hathaway in “& Juliet” on Broadway, after playing the role in the first North American tour of the hit musical. Among her previous Broadway credits are the 2013 revival of the “Jekyll & Hyde” musical, “Finding Neverland,” “The Cher Show,” and “Wicked,” starring as Elphaba in 2011.

• Lauren Gunderson (she/her) has repeatedly been among the most-produced playwrights in the U.S., topping the list (which excludes Shakespeare!) four times over the past decade. Her writing credits include the plays “I and You,” “Silent Sky,” the Pemberley trilogy, “A Room in the Castle,” and “The Book of Will.” Her new play “Muse of Fire” has had workshop readings at the Colorado New Play Festival and the Prague Shakespeare Company and will have its first fully staged production at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco in Fall 2026.

For related articles and other links, visit shakespearesshadows.com/hathaway-learn-more