The series was prompted by reviewing an existing outline for a series.
Stephen Armourae disliked Romeo and Juliet central story of a love affair and was more interested in the social and cultural aspects of Renaissance Italy.
Stephen Armourae (director, co-writer and actor) directed scenes of Romeo & Juliet at Goldsmiths. His final essay was on Romeo & Juliet.
Stephen Armourae had the outline for a Renaissance Italian series, for a few years. A discussion with the actress playing Regan in the King Lear film he directed and played the Duke of Cornwall led to his reassessment of Romeo and Juliet and setting the outline and scripts around the Shakespeare characters.
Stephen Armourae has directed scenes from Rome and Juliet four times while at Goldsmiths and his final essay in the drama department was a version of Romeo and Juliet based upon birds.