Upstart Crow is set to return for a third series
BBC Two has commissioned six further 30-minute episodes and a 2018 Christmas special of the popular comedy, Upstart Crow, written by Ben Elton and based on the life and times of William Shakespeare (David Mitchell) as he tries to make his name as a playwright in Tudor London while at the same time facing one hell of a commute, back and forth to see the family in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Published: 17 October 2017
I am so pleased that the BBC have decided to commission Upstart Crow part three. As Shakespeare himself proved with Henry IV, his very long play cycle about a not very interesting Henry, if a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing thrice.
The comedy, from BBC Studios, was originally commissioned as part of the BBC’s Shakespeare Festival 2016 to mark the 400th anniversary of the writer’s death. The series explores Shakespeare's world and uncovers the surprising stories behind Will’s plays.
Ben Elton says: "I am so pleased that the BBC have decided to commission Upstart Crow part three. As Shakespeare himself proved with Henry IV, his very long play cycle about a not very interesting Henry, if a thing’s worth doing, it’s worth doing thrice."
David Mitchell says: "I think I’m even pleaseder to be doing a third series of Upstart Crow than I was to be doing the second. In fact, given the choice, I would have done the third one second and saved the second till third. That would have made me pleasedest, but still, this is tremendous news."
Chris Sussman, Head of Comedy at BBC Studios says: "I’m absolutely thrilled that we’re getting to do a third series, as we haven’t yet had a chance to explore some of Shakespeare’s major works such as Pericles and The Two Noble Kinsmen."
Fans of the show need not wait too long as the Bard will return for A Christmassy Crow on BBC Two, featuring special guest star Emma Thompson as Queen Elizabeth I.
Upstart Crow is a BBC Studios production and was commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning. It will be directed by Richard Boden, produced by Gareth Edwards and the executive producer is Chris Sussman. It is a BBC Studios Comedy production.
The full series of Upstart Crow is available to view on BBC iPlayer. The Christmas special will air later this year on BBC Two.
MJ
