Series synopsis
Upstart Crow is a British comedy drama television series that premiered on BBC Two on May 9, 2016. It ended on October 3, 2018. It was created by Ben Elton. It stars David Mitchell, Liza Tarbuck, Paula Wilcox and Harry Enfield.
Comedy about the life and times of William Shakespeare as he starts to make a name for himself in London, whilst also trying to balance life as a husband and father for his family in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Premise
Comedy about the life and times of William Shakespeare as he starts to make a name for himself in London, whilst also trying to balance life as a husband and father for his family in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- David Mitchell as Will Shakespeare
- Liza Tarbuck as Anne Hathaway
- Paula Wilcox as Mary Arden
- Harry Enfield as John Shakespeare
- Spencer Jones as Kempe
- Helen Monks as Susannah
- Mark Heap as Sir Robert Greene
- Gemma Whelan as Kate
Supporting cast
- Steve Speirs as Burbage
- Dominic Coleman as Condell
- Tim Downie as Marlowe
- Rob Rouse as Bottom
Guest cast
- Steve Toussaint as Otello
- Beattie Edmondson as Toby
- Noel Fielding as Thomas Morley
- Mina Anwar as Weird sister
- Sarah Finigan as Weird sister
- Christine Ozanne as Weird sister
- Jonathan Watson as MacBuff
- Geoffrey McGivern as Sir Thomas
- Evan Rees as Squeaky boy
- Tom Edden as Servant
- Gabrielle Glaister as Judge
- Jocelyn Jee Esien as Lucy
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 21 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | December 25, 2017 | December 21, 2020 |
| Season 1 | 6 | May 9, 2016 | June 13, 2016 |
| Season 2 | 6 | September 11, 2017 | October 16, 2017 |
| Season 3 | 6 | August 29, 2018 | October 3, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Christmas Crow Will has promised his wife Anne that he will be home in good time for a quiet Christmas with just the family. But when Marlowe, Kate and even the usually horrible Robert Greene look likely to be facing a miserable lonely Christmas in London, Will's big heart gets the better of him and he asks them all back with him to Stratford. |
December 25, 2017 |
| 2 |
A Crow Christmas Carol Things get Dickensian when a mysterious stranger inspires Will to get Greene to mend his evil ways with the help of three Christmas spirits. |
December 25, 2018 |
| 3 |
Lockdown Christmas 1603 A plague has hit London and Will and Kate are isolating in Will's London lodgings just before Christmas, |
December 21, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Star Crossed Lovers Episode one sees Will struggle to find inspiration for Romeo while having to deal with an angry actor, a very annoying house-guest and his family’s not terribly helpful script suggestions. |
May 9, 2016 |
| 2 |
The Play's the Thing Just when Will’s controversial new play is about to be presented to Queen Elizabeth, it goes missing. As the finger of suspicion points to his best friend Marlowe, can Will come up with a way to recover his stolen masterpiece? Given its politically sensitive content, is he really wise to want it back? |
May 16, 2016 |
| 3 |
The Apparel Proclaims The Man Will hopes to move up in the world when he is invited to a high-society party hosted by Lord Southampton, but is unsure what a poorly-educated country boy should wear to one of London's most upmarket events. The playwright's rival Sir Robert Greene offers him some fashion tips, but is it a double bluff, a triple bluff, or something even more fiendish? |
May 23, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Green Eyed Monster When a dashing African Prince comes to town, Will decides to befriend him. |
September 11, 2017 |
| 2 |
I Know Thee Not, Old Man When his old teacher invites himself to stay, Will must confront some awful memories. |
September 18, 2017 |
| 3 |
I Did Adore a Twinkling Star Will has to write a romance set in an exotic foreign location Kate has fallen for Marlowe. |
September 25, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be! Will needs inspiration for his new play A Midsummer Night's Dream. Meanwhile how can he get hold of some love potion, and where is Bottom going to put that stuffed donkey head? |
August 29, 2018 |
| 2 |
Wild Laughter in the Throat of Death Will Shakespeare has been working on his masterpiece. His friends tell him it's his greatest comedy yet, but Will insists that Hamlet isn't actually meant to be funny. |
September 5, 2018 |
| 3 |
If You Prick Us, Do We Not Bleed? London is full of anti-immigrant rioting. Will looks forward to an age when such sentiments are long-gone, but in the meantime he and the players plan to do their bit to help those worse off than themselves with a fund-raising charity gala night. “Inflated Pig's Bladder Day” is a triumph. |
September 12, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 9, 2016 |
| Last aired | October 3, 2018 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | canceled |
| Schedule | Wednesday |