Upstart Crow

- Season 2

(2017)

Will is desperate to make a good impression with the College of Heralds so that he can finally get a coat of arms. Befriending a dashing African prince by the name of Otello may provide Will with the means to climb the social ladder.

Will is off to Stratford to get some writing done, but a visit from his terrifying old schoolteacher stirs up awful memories of the classroom. Marlowe and Greene are hunting for a Catholic spy.

Will is tricked by his nemesis Robert Greene into writing a blood-soaked tragedy for a nobleman who only likes exotic romances. Will needs to write a new play and quickly. Kate is teaching Italian to Marlowe.

Will is upset when everyone tells him that his new play is too far-fetched, so he decides to turn it into the first ever musical using the songs of Tudor music legend Thomas Morley.

Will is thrilled with his new play about a bright, strong-headed young woman crushed into submission by the man in her life, Kate and Anne less so. Will decides to test the theme of the play out on his stroppy daughter.

Will has finally finished writing Romeo and Juliet and the only problem now is who will play the young lovers. Burbage and Condell naturally see themselves as the leads, how to tell them they no longer pass muster?

As Christmas approaches Will is in London rehearsing his new play 'Eighth Night' for the queen and is surprised that the usually hostile Greene is giving out presents, claiming it is because he is lonely and wants to cheer others. A sympathetic Will invites him, along with Kate and Kit, to join his family for the festivities but Greene has a sinister motive - to steal the present Will has bought for the queen, thereby ruining his career. Fortunately Anne has an idea to save her husband.