Upstart Crow. Will Shakespeare (David Mitchell). Copyright: BBC
Upstart Crow

Upstart Crow

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 2016 - 2020
  • 21 episodes (3 series)

Sitcom about the life of jobbing playwright William Shakespeare, struggling to find inspiration in Tudor London. Also features David Mitchell, Rob Rouse, Gemma Whelan, Liza Tarbuck, Harry Enfield and more.

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 735

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Series 2 - A Christmas Crow

Upstart Crow. Image shows from L to R: Will Shakespeare (David Mitchell), Queen Elizabeth (Emma Thompson). Copyright: BBC
The Shakespeares are planning a lovely cosy Christmas with just the family up in Stratford.

Further details

The Shakespeares are planning a lovely cosy Christmas with just the family up in Stratford. Until Kit manages to wangle himself an invitation to join them. And then so does Kate. And then so does Robert Green, who claims he has given up evil scheming and is ready to spread peace and goodwill to all mankind. But has he really suddenly gone all nice?

Meanwhile Will has been rehearsing his latest play ready for it to be performed before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (Emma Thompson) as part of her Christmas festivities. But will he make the right impression on the Queen? And does his play Eighth Night actually need a bit more work?

Notes

This episode was billed as A Christmassy Crow.

This episode uses a section of dialogue from Richard Curtis's film Love Actually, crediting him "with thanks".

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 25th December 2017
Time
8:25pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
35 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Saturday 7th December 2019 8:50pm Gold
Sunday 8th December 2019 2:35am Gold
Wednesday 25th December 2019 5:40pm BBC2
Sunday 6th December 2020 11:15am Gold
Tuesday 8th December 2020 12:00am Gold
Sunday 13th December 2020 5:50pm Gold
Monday 14th December 2020 12:25am Gold
Wednesday 16th December 2020 8:10pm Gold
Thursday 17th December 2020 4:20pm Gold
Saturday 19th December 2020 1:00pm Gold
Sunday 20th December 2020 10:20pm Gold
Monday 21st December 2020 2:25am Gold
Monday 21st December 2020 2:05pm Gold
Sunday 5th December 2021 12:45am Gold
Sunday 5th December 2021 9:55pm Gold
Monday 6th December 2021 2:00am Gold
Monday 13th December 2021 5:15pm Gold
Thursday 16th December 2021 1:00am Gold
Thursday 16th December 2021 6:30pm Gold
Wednesday 22nd December 2021 11:15pm Gold
Thursday 23rd December 2021 2:45am Gold
Thursday 23rd December 2021 6:05pm BBC2

Cast & crew

Cast
David Mitchell Will Shakespeare
Rob Rouse Bottom
Gemma Whelan Kate
Liza Tarbuck Anne Hathaway
Harry Enfield John Shakespeare
Paula Wilcox Mary Arden
Helen Monks Susanna
Steve Speirs Burbage
Tim Downie Marlowe
Dominic Coleman Condell
Mark Heap Sir Robert Greene
Spencer Jones Kempe
Rosanna Beacock Judith
Joe Willis Hamnet
Guest cast
Emma Thompson Queen Elizabeth
Writing team
Ben Elton Writer
Production team
Richard Boden Director
Gareth Edwards Producer
Chris Sussman Executive Producer
Jake Bernard Editor
Julian Fullalove Production Designer
Alex Beverly Production Designer
Catherine Willis Casting Director
Leah Archer Costume Designer
Vanessa White Make-up Designer
Martin Kempton Lighting Designer
Grant Olding Composer
Paul Mottram Composer

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