Synopsis
A dramatisation of the life of famed playwright William Shakespeare from 1590 to 1607.
Episodes
Season 11E1Dead ShepherdQueen Elizabeth I rules the country and Christopher Marlowe rules the theatre. From Stratford-upon-Avon, a young man called William Shakespeare arrives in London determined to match Marlowe as poet and playwright.50m2E2Alms for OblivionAs England lies ravaged by plague, Shakespeare has usurped Marlowe as playwright of the day.50m3E3Of Comfort and DespairWill Shakespeare produces the greatest play about young love - Romeo and Juliet. But what of his own love? Who is the 'dark lady' he adores and curses in his sonnets?50m4E4The Loved BoyShakespeare wishes for his son Hamnet to have everything, despite disapproval from the rest of his family.50m5E5Rebellion's MasterpieceShakespeare is drawn into the dangerous political intrigues of Robert Devereux the Second Earl of Essex.50m6E6The Living RecordQueen Elizabeth dies and King James succeeds her to the throne. What does the future hold for Will Shakespeare and for the actors who bring his plays to life?50m
Cast
