Built around a 14-hour interview, Playing the Part uncovers Ian McKellen’s untold story. From his upbringing living through the war, becoming a pioneering stage star in repertory and West End theatre companies, coming out and being a leader in the campaign for equality, to his mainstream film breakouts as Magneto and Gandalf in some of the largest film franchises of all time. His work and influence transcends generations, celebrated here in this fully authorised insight. McKellen: Playing the Part features unprecedented access to private photo albums, a wealth of never-before-seen archival material—including diaries written when he was 12 and unseen behind-the-scenes footage of theatre shows and films—alongside his personal thoughts on a life long-lived.