History Series / UpstartCrow

The show ran for three series and two Christmas specials before transferring to the West End for a stage play which continued the story from where the television series left off, but was one of many casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic and closed after a month. The show latterly returned to TV for a 2020 Christmas special.

Much of the humour comes from characters expressing ideas that are relevant to the 21st century - either condemning them, such as the idea Oxford and Cambridge universities provide all the men in positions of power[[note]]because everybody knows women can't do any jobs, like acting or looking after money [[/note]], or saying ItWillNeverCatchOn.

As it is a Creator/BenElton, expect lots or references to his favourite {{BritCom}}s.

** Wills constant complaining about the "coaches" bears no relation to the transport system of the Elizabethan Era and everything to do with the state of Modern Britain's Railway network.

** Marlowe's claim that he's actually a spy for Lord Walsingham, is a clear reference to modern historicals obsession with making every character in the Elizabethan era a spy for the state.

* ItWillNeverCatchOn: Many jokes involve the characters discussing topics that would seem mundane to the TV audience and declaring that nothing of the sort will ever happen.

''Upstart Crow'' is a British SitCom that started broadcasting on 9 May 2016 as part of the BBC's 'Shakespeare 400' celebration. Written by Creator/BenElton, and incorporating his typical snark at the British Establishment, and starring Creator/{{David Mitchell|Actor}} as William Shakespeare, trying to make his name as a playwright in Elizabethan England.

*** [[spoiler: He ends up giving the play to Creator/ChristopherMarlowe to pass off as his own. It turns out it was Theatre/TheJewOfMalta.]]

* DropInCharacter: Kit Marlowe, introduced in the series by strolling into Will's London lodgings with a "Morning, all! Let myself in! Kind of go where I please, it's just easier!"

* TheGhost: Queen Elizabeth I is mentioned constantly (often by her sobriquet 'Gloriana') and has a large indirect influence on the plot but has yet to appear onscreen. She finally appears in the Christmas special, played by Creator/EmmaThompson. (And is involved in a subplot taken from ''Film/LoveActually''.)

* YetAnotherChristmasCarol: The second Christmas special, for once a WholePlotReference to Creator/CharlesDickens rather than Shakespeare. While journeying home from London, Will meets (or dreams that he meets) a stranger who tells him the story. Inspired by the tale's massage of redemption, and hoping to get his family to focus on something other than [[spoiler:Hamnet's death]] he resolves to make this Christmas a time for good deeds and spreading love. Together with his family, friends and acting troupe, he stages a version of the story for Robert Greene in the hopes of redeeming him. [[spoiler: Greene sees through the ruse, but just as he's about to call everyone's bluff, the stranger who told the tale appears to him, revealing himself to be the ''actual'' Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come and showing Greene true visions.]] In the end, Will decides not to write the story down.

* FanService: maybe not deliberate, but admirers of a more mature woman certainly are rewarded by the LizaTarbuck's costume empasises her cleavage.

** Wolf Hall is a clear parody of Mark Rylance and his performance in the series WolfHall. The series parodies Rylance Anti-Stratfordian beliefs with Greene convincing Hall that Shakespeare didn't write his plays. Privately Greene remarks that "Just because an actor can look intelligent, and act intelligent does not mean he IS intelligent!"

* BelligerentSexualTension: In Series three, Will ''thinks'' the constant bickering between Kit and Kate is a result of this. Turns out they're just ''really'' annoyed with each other.

* WhamLine: Kit has taken John, Will's father out drinking for the night, to get him out the way during one of Greene's plots, and pretended to be great mates with him. The next morning, John comes down thinking him and Kit are real friends. Kit gives the 'I know thee not old man' speech from Henry IV part 2, making it clear exactly what he thinks of John, absolutely crushing him. Tim Downie, who plays Kit, absolutely nails the speech, and all of a sudden the comedy is punctured, with John visibly destroyed in front of his whole family.

* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Will Kemp is a clear parody of Creator/RickyGervais, especially Gervais's portrayal of [[Series/TheOfficeUK David Brent]] and Gervais's outspoken dislike of the traditional multi-cam SitCom.

* BlatantLies: Will is ''not'' bald. He just has a very big brain, tall face, etc.

** One of the more sincere explorations of this is when Will writes [[Theatre/TheTamingOfTheShrew]] to the disgust of most of the women in his life. Kate is utterly disgusted by the infamous final monologue. Will himself seems to recognize the play's faults when [[ParodyRetcon he suddenly claims that he was being ironic.]] Kate and many of the women act as AudienceSurrogate in emphasizing that Shakespeare's play is FairForItsDay especially compared to other works. Anne also remarks that it's not too offensive as she regarded it as a farce.

** One of the more sincere explorations of this is when Will writes [[TheTamingOfTheShrew]] to the disgust of most of the women in his life. Kate is utterly disgusted by the infamous final monologue. Will himself seems to recognize the play's faults when [[ParodyRetcon he suddenly claims that he was being ironic.]] Kate and many of the women act as AudienceSurrogate in emphasizing that Shakespeare's play is FairForItsDay especially compared to other works. Anne also remarks that it's not too offensive as she regarded it as a farce.

** "What Bloody Man is This?" takes a very dim view of Scottish nationalism and Scottish nationalists habit of constantly bringing up centuries-old incidents that have no bearing on current events.