Upstart Crow poster

Upstart Crow

2016 to 2018 Comedy, Drama 3 seasons

TMDB rating 7.3/10 Canceled

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.

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Seasons3

  • It's 1592 and Will Shakespeare is at the beginning of his career. His early work is looked down on by the literary establishment, and he's not taken seriously at home. Follow the Bard's fictional early life and the rather surprising stories about where his best ideas came from.

    All episodes available

    TMDB rating 7.7/10

  • In series two, Shakespeare runs his quill-ink dry with stories of jealous African generals, teenage daughters in desperate need of taming, and a musical play that may (or may not) go by the title of 'Fourth Night'.

    All episodes available

    TMDB rating 7.0/10

  • With a family in Stratford and his theatre company in London, the Bard is burning the candle at both ends in series three. His teenage daughter Sue is as stroppy as ever, best mate Kit Marlowe is in danger, and neighbour Kate is desperate to be an actress – despite the fact it’s still illegal for women to do anything interesting. Meanwhile, Will has been working on his masterpiece, Hamlet. Pity everyone think it’s a comedy. Love potions are sweeping through Stratford and there’s something a little off about Love’s Labour’s Licked.

    All episodes available

    TMDB rating 6.8/10

This show also has specials. Specials never affect your progress, new seasons, or completion.

Cast and details

  • David MitchellWill Shakespeare
  • Liza TarbuckAnne Hathaway
  • Helen MonksSusannah
  • Gemma WhelanKate
  • Rob RouseBottom
  • Paula WilcoxMary Arden
  • Harry EnfieldJohn Shakespeare
  • Spencer JonesKempe
  • Mark HeapSir Robert Greene
  • Steve SpeirsBurbage
  • Dominic ColemanCondell
  • Tim DownieMarlowe
Created by
Ben Elton
Network
BBC Two
First aired
May 9, 2016
Latest episode
Oct 3, 2018

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Release dates are original schedules and may differ from availability in your country. A release never marks anything as watched. Last checked Nov 3, 2026.Schedule data from TVmaze, CC BY-SA.