
PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare
From Pretty Much Pop: A Culture Podcast by Mark Linsenmayer
February 17, 2026 · 1h 5m · Season 6 · Episode 215
About this episode
The episode discusses the film 'Hamnet', its connection to Shakespeare, and the nature of biopics.
When we don't know much about some genius playwright's life, why not make up some things based on the contents of his plays? Maybe put Shakespearean dialogue right in character's mouths, so the audience will say, "hey, I remember that line!" Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al talk through the Chloe Zhao Oscar-bait historical drama, Hamnet , and its source, the 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell. Is the film great, or just "grief porn"? Plus, Shakespeare in Love and other biopics. Get more at prettymuchpop.com . Get an ad-free experience, plus bonus talking for nearly every episode at patreon.com/prettymuchpop for only the tiniest per-month financial pledge, or you can sign up directly with Apple Podcasts for a subscription for ad-free and bonus material for three of Mark's podcasts together on the Mark Lintertainment Podcasts Channel . Sponsors : Get started with Claude AI at claude.ai/pmp . Visit squarespace.com/PRETTY (code PRETTY) for a free trial and 10% off your first website or domain.
People in this episode
Host: Mark
Topics covered
- Shakespeare
- Hamnet
- biopics
- grief porn
- Chloe Zhao
- Maggie O'Farrell
Keywords
- Oscar-bait
- historical drama
- Shakespeare in Love
Sponsors
Claude AI, Squarespace
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Hamnet, Shakespeare in Love
Books & works: Hamnet, Shakespeare in Love
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