Programme Index

Duration: 39 minutes

Audio described

First broadcast: Tue 25^th Dec 2018, 20:35 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Tue 25^th Dec 2018, 20:35 on BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Available for 2 months

Watch now

Shakespearian comedy. Things get Dickensian when a mysterious stranger inspires Will to get Greene to mend his evil ways with the help of three Christmas spirits. Show more

Contributors

Colin / The Stranger:: Kenneth Branagh
Ephie Watkins:: Lily Cole
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Mrs Scratchit:: Hannah-Jane Fox
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Job Scratchit:: Karl Theobald
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Tiny Todge:: Luka Petrovic
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Upstart Crow

Lockdown Christmas 1603

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 21^st Dec 2020, 21:00 on BBC Two EnglandLatest broadcast: Mon 21^st Dec 2020, 21:00 on BBC Two Wales HD

Available for 21 days

Watch now

The plague has hit London, and as Christmas approaches, Will and Kate are in wave fifteen of state-enforced home confinement together in Will’s London lodgings. Show more

Upstart Crow

Series 2

Episode 2: I Know Thee Not, Old Man

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 18^th Sep 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 18^th Sep 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Comedy. When his terrifying old teacher invites himself to stay, Will is unable to say no even though his presence stirs up some pretty awful memories. Show more

Contributors

Gerty:: Gemma Arrowsmith
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Simon Hunt:: Geoffrey Whitehead
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Gertrude:: Lizzie Winkler
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 2

Episode 4: Food of Love

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 2^nd Oct 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 2^nd Oct 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Comedy. Will has invented a musical and needs help from the greatest songwriter of the age: Thomas Morley. However, success looks far from guaranteed. Show more

Contributors

Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Thomas Morley:: Noel Fielding
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Kydd:: Mark Phoenix
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Spencer:: Andrew Bicknell
Nashe:: Simon Coleman
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 2

Episode 5: Beware My Sting!

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 9^th Oct 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 9^th Oct 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Shakespearean sitcom. Will is thrilled with his new play, in which a strong woman is crushed into submission by a man. For some reason, Kate is less than impressed. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 2

Episode 6: Sweet Sorrow

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 16^th Oct 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 16^th Oct 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Shakespeare comedy. Romeo and Juliet is finally finished and the only problem now is who will play the young lovers. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Southampton:: Adam Harley
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Gussie:: Dominic Herman-Day
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 1

Episode 1: Star Crossed Lovers

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 9^th May 2016, 22:00 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 9^th May 2016, 23:15 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Comedy about William Shakespeare. Will struggles to find inspiration for Romeo whilst also dealing with an angry actor and an annoying guest. Show more

Contributors

Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Matt Lipsey
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Anne Hathaway:: Liza Tarbuck
Mary Arden:: Paula Wilcox
Susanna:: Helen Monks
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Florian:: Kieran Hodgson
Apothecary:: Larrington Walker

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 2

Episode 1: The Green-Eyed Monster

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 11^th Sep 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two EnglandLatest broadcast: Mon 11^th Sep 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Shakespearean sitcom. When a dashing African Prince comes to town by the name of Otello, Will sees a way to make a favourable impression amongst the gentry. Show more

Contributors

Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Otello:: Steve Toussaint
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

A Christmas Crow

Duration: 39 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 25^th Dec 2017, 20:25 on BBC Two HDLatest broadcast: Wed 25^th Dec 2019, 17:40 on BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Shakespeare comedy. When Marlowe, Kate and the usually awful Robert Greene look to be facing a miserable Christmas in London, Will's heart gets the better of him. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Queen Elizabeth:: Emma Thompson
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Upstart Crow

Series 1

Episode 2: The Play's the Thing

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 16^th May 2016, 22:00 on BBC Two HDLatest broadcast: Mon 16^th May 2016, 23:35 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Comedy about William Shakespeare. Will's controversial new play is about to be presented to Queen Elizabeth when it goes missing. Show more

Contributors

Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Matt Lipsey
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Anne Hathaway:: Liza Tarbuck
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Mary Arden:: Paula Wilcox
Susanna:: Helen Monks
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kempe:: Spencer Jones

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 1

Episode 3: The Apparel Proclaims The Man

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 23^rd May 2016, 22:00 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 23^rd May 2016, 23:35 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Comedy about William Shakespeare. Will hopes to move up in the world when he is invited to Lord Southampton's party. Show more

Contributors

Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Matt Lipsey
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
William Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Susanna:: Helen Monks
Hamnet:: Sebastian Barker
Judith:: Emma Barker
Anne Hathaway:: Liza Tarbuck
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Mary Arden:: Paula Wilcox
Footman:: Jason Forbes

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 1

Episode 4: Love is Not Love

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 30^th May 2016, 22:00 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 30^th May 2016, 23:25 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Comedy about William Shakespeare. Will has completed his final sonnet and senses literary immortality just around the corner. Show more

Contributors

Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Matt Lipsey
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
William Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Anne Hathaway:: Liza Tarbuck
Susanna:: Helen Monks
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Mary Arden:: Paula Wilcox
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Emelia:: Montserrat Lombard
Southampton:: Adam Harley
Lord Inquisitor:: John Sessions

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 1

Episode 5: What Bloody Man is That?

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 6^th Jun 2016, 22:00 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Tue 20^th Dec 2016, 23:00 on BBC Two Scotland

Comedy about William Shakespeare. The plague leads Will and his friends to escape to the family home in Stratford. On the way, they meet three witches. Show more

Contributors

William Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
The Weird Sisters:: Mina Anwar
The Weird Sisters:: Sarah Finigan
The Weird Sisters:: Christine Ozanne
Anne Hathaway:: Liza Tarbuck
Mary Arden:: Paula Wilcox
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Susanna:: Helen Monks
MacBuff:: Jonathan Watson
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Sir Thomas:: Geoff McGivern
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Servant:: Tom Edden
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Matt Lipsey
Producer:: Gareth Edwards

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 1

Episode 6: The Quality of Mercy

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 13^th Jun 2016, 22:00 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 13^th Jun 2016, 23:50 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Comedy about William Shakespeare. When Will's savings go missing, he is forced to make a rather unusual bargain with his rival Robert Greene. Show more

Contributors

William Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Anne Hathaway:: Liza Tarbuck
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Susanna:: Helen Monks
Mary Arden:: Paula Wilcox
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Squeaky Boy:: Evan Rees
Clerk:: Tom Edden
Judge:: Gabrielle Glaister
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Matt Lipsey
Producer:: Gareth Edwards

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 2

Episode 3: I Did Adore a Twinkling Star

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Mon 25^th Sep 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Mon 25^th Sep 2017, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Comedy. As a result of Robert Greene's scheming, Will has to write a romance set in an exotic foreign location. Meanwhile, Kate has fallen for Marlowe. Show more

Contributors

Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Silvia:: Margaret Clunie
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Valentine:: Jack Fox
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Servant:: Jacopo Menicagli
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steven Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Simon Hunt:: Geoffrey Whitehead
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 3

Episode 1: Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Wed 29^th Aug 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two WalesLatest broadcast: Wed 29^th Aug 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Shakespearean sitcom. Will has a problem with A Midsummer Night's Dream, a love potion and a donkey head. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Puck:: Ken Nwosu
Lord Egeus:: Nigel Planer
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 3

Episode 2: Wild Laughter in the Throat of Death

Duration: 30 minutes

First broadcast: Wed 5^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Wed 5^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Sitcom. Will has been working on his masterpiece. His friends say it's his best comedy yet, but Will insists Hamlet isn't meant to be funny. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Sir Francis Bacon:: Peter Hamilton Dyer
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Earl of Oxford:: Dan Tetsell
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 3

Episode 3: If You Prick Us, Do We Not Bleed?

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: Wed 12^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Wed 12^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Shakespearean sitcom. A brilliant new actor has some surprising views about the authorship of Will's plays. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Wolf Hall:: Ben Miller
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Rodney:: Thomas Smith
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 3

Episode 5: The Most Unkindest Cut of All

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: Wed 26^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Wed 26^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two Northern Ireland

Shakespearean sitcom. Will writes a new play about Julius Caesar and the players indulge in some backstage backstabbing. Show more

Contributors

Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Toby:: Beattie Edmondson
Lucy:: Jocelyn Jee Esien
Robert Greene:: Mark Heap
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Longinus:: Ola Orebiyi
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series

Upstart Crow

Series 3

Episode 4: Sigh No More

Duration: 29 minutes

First broadcast: Wed 19^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two ScotlandLatest broadcast: Wed 19^th Sep 2018, 20:30 on BBC Two HD

Shakespearean sitcom. When Kate stands in for Sue at a masked ball it causes problems. Will's ingenious solution doesn't quite work out as planned. Show more

Contributors

Margaret:: Bessie Coates
Condell:: Dominic Coleman
Kit Marlowe:: Tim Downie
Sergeant Dogberry:: Adrian Edmondson
John Shakespeare:: Harry Enfield
Claude:: Brandon Fellows
Kempe:: Spencer Jones
Will Shakespeare:: David Mitchell
Susanna Shakespeare:: Helen Monks
Bottom:: Rob Rouse
Burbage:: Steve Speirs
Anne Shakespeare:: Liza Tarbuck
Kate:: Gemma Whelan
Don John:: Joshua Wichard
Mary Shakespeare:: Paula Wilcox
Judith Shakespeare:: Rosanna Beacock
Hamnet Shakespeare:: Joe Willis
Writer:: Ben Elton
Director:: Richard Boden
Producer:: Gareth Edwards
Executive Producer:: Chris Sussman

Genres

ComedySitcoms

Brand

Series