The Plot Thickens: Season Six Cleopatra

The Plot Thickens has officially earned its place as one of my all-time favorite podcasts — and now, it’s back with a bang! The newest season is an absolute gem for classic Hollywood lovers, diving into the glitz, glamour, and sheer chaos behind one of cinema’s most infamous disasters: Cleopatra (1963).

Now, with its sixth season, the podcast takes on one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history: Elizabeth Taylor. This promises to be the biggest season yet — a riveting look behind the scenes of Cleopatra and the stormy world surrounding Taylor at the height of her fame. If past seasons are any indication, we’re in for another unforgettable ride.

Ben Mankiewicz has truly come into his own as a podcaster. Known as the face and voice of classic cinema on TCM, Ben’s thoughtful commentary and deep love for film elevate every movie he presents. His introductions set the tone with insight and charm, while his closing reflections leave viewers with something to ponder long after the credits roll.

With each season of The Plot Thickens, Ben has raised the bar. From Lucille Ball’s complex legacy to the rugged brilliance of John Ford, the trailblazing journey of Pam Grier, the tangled saga of The Bonfire of the Vanities, and the fascinating life of Peter Bogdanovich, each chapter has been compelling, informative, and masterfully told. As a host, Ben has grown by leaps and bounds — more confident, more inquisitive, and more personal with every installment.

Honestly, I can’t get enough. The podcast is so rich and immersive, I always wish each season were longer. There’s a hunger for this kind of deep-dive storytelling, and The Plot Thickens delivers — but still leaves me wanting more.

In true form, host Ben Mankiewicz returns to guide us through this larger-than-life production — one that looked like a guaranteed blockbuster on paper, but unraveled into one of the most turbulent shoots in film history. And there’s a personal twist: the film was written and directed by Ben’s legendary uncle, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, an Oscar-winner tasked with turning a spiraling epic into cinematic gold.

With the stunning Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra and the smoldering Richard Burton as her co-star (and eventual off-screen lover), the film should have been unstoppable. But instead, it became a storm of catastrophes: emergency hospitalizations, disastrous weather, set relocations, production delays, ballooning costs, and headline-making scandals. Imagine trying to craft a masterpiece while your lead actress is in and out of the hospital, your stars are embroiled in a love affair that scandalizes the world, and the studio is hemorrhaging money by the minute.

Joseph Mankiewicz was writing the script at night and directing during the day, all while trying to fend off studio executives ready to pull the plug. The pressure nearly broke him. And as the chaos escalated, so did the stakes — both financial and personal.

The legend of Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra is, quite simply, the stuff of Hollywood myth — a story where the drama behind the scenes often eclipsed what was captured on film. While the movie was intended to showcase Taylor at the height of her power and beauty, it quickly became a media frenzy, thanks to a perfect storm of scandal, chaos, and colossal egos.

Taylor was in full vixen mode, stepping into the role of the Egyptian queen just as the spotlight intensified on her personal life. Her fiery romance with co-star Richard Burton, played out publicly and provocatively, turned the film into headline gold. But beyond the tabloid fodder, Cleopatra became a cinematic cautionary tale — one of the most expensive and troubled productions in Hollywood history.

And yet, over time, the film has found redemption among cinephiles. For all its excess and turmoil, there’s a mesmerizing grandeur to Cleopatra that continues to fascinate. The production’s legendary woes — delays, recasting, budget blowouts, and personal meltdowns — have only deepened its mystique, adding texture to what is now viewed as a flawed but fascinating epic.

More importantly, Cleopatra became a turning point in Taylor’s life and career. It wasn’t just a movie — it was a defining moment. The fallout shaped her public persona, her romantic life, and the roles she would go on to choose. Without Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor’s journey through stardom might have looked very different. This film didn’t just cement her legend — it rewrote it.

What makes this season of The Plot Thickens even more compelling is Ben Mankiewicz’s connection to the story. As the nephew of Joseph L. Mankiewicz — the Oscar-winning writer and director of Cleopatra — Ben brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the chaos that unfolded behind the scenes. His familial ties infuse the podcast with an authenticity and emotional resonance that no other host could offer.

This isn’t just another behind-the-scenes Hollywood exposé — it’s a layered, intimate exploration of ambition, artistry, and the burden of legacy. Ben isn’t just telling someone else’s story; he’s uncovering a chapter of his own family’s history, one filled with towering expectations, crushing pressure, and creative brilliance on the brink of collapse.

“I have never wanted to be a queen! Cleopatra was a role, and I am an actor, so it was fun to play one, but it’s not real.” — Elizabeth Taylor.

Cleopatra is a tale that demands to be told, and Ben Mankiewicz is the ideal storyteller to unravel it. With his signature thoughtfulness, curiosity, and insider knowledge, he sheds light on the real people behind the spectacle, giving us a rare glimpse into the making of a movie that almost broke everyone involved.

To complement the deep-dive audio experience, TCM is turning up the heat with a special screening of Cleopatra (1963), allowing audiences to see the lavish spectacle that ignited all the turmoil. It’s the perfect way to ride the wave of nostalgia — a cinematic chariot ride back to a time when Hollywood dared to dream bigger than ever before… and paid the price.

So buckle up — the glamour, chaos, and scandal are just beginning. The Plot Thickens has never been more thrilling.