description Upstart Crow Overview
"Upstart Crow" is a British sitcom that premiered on BBC Two in 2016, created and written by Ben Elton. The series stars David Mitchell as William Shakespeare, depicting his daily life, creative struggles, and family dynamics in late 16th-century London. The show frequently draws humor from the historical context of Elizabethan theater and references to Shakespeare's famous works. The main cast also features Rob Rouse as his servant Kate, and Liza Tarbuck as his wife Anne Hathaway, relying heavily on clever wordplay and historical satire.
help Upstart Crow FAQ
Who plays Shakespeare in Upstart Crow and who created the show?
David Mitchell stars as William Shakespeare in Upstart Crow, which was created and written by Ben Elton. Elton, known for Blackadder and The Young Ones, premiered the show on BBC Two in 2016.
How many series of Upstart Crow were made?
Upstart Crow ran for three series on BBC Two from 2016 to 2018, each consisting of six episodes. A special episode titled "Lockdown Christmas 1603" aired in 2020 following the conclusion of the main run.
What is the comedic premise of Upstart Crow?
The show presents Shakespeare as a working-class playwright commuting between his family in Stratford-upon-Avon and his theatrical career in London. It humorously dramatizes the creation of his famous plays while riffing on Elizabethan-era class tensions and literary rivalries.
What other comedy work connects Ben Elton and David Mitchell?
Ben Elton previously wrote for Blackadder, which starred Stephen Rowan Atkinson, and created The Young Ones. David Mitchell is best known for Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look, making Upstart Crow a meeting of two major British comedy lineages.
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