Will Shakespeare

Synopsis

Will Shakespeare, also known as Life of Shakespeare and William Shakespeare: His Life & Times, was a 1978 historical drama series created and written by John Mortimer. Broadcast in six parts, the series is a dramatisation of the life and times of the great poet William Shakespeare played by Tim Curry, and was co-produced by Lew Grade's ATV and RAI and distributed internationally by ITC. The two production companies had collaborated successfully before on Jesus of Nazareth the previous year.

First Air Date: 1978-06-13

Last Air Date: 1978-07-18

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 6

Created By: John Mortimer

Networks: ITV1

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Tim Curry as William Shakespeare
Paul Freeman as Dick Burbage
John Normington as Alex Cooke
Ron Cook as Jack Rice
Ronald Herdman as Sam Crosse
Roger Lloyd Pack as Jack Heminge
John McEnery as N/A
Bill Paterson as N/A
Simon MacCorkindale as N/A

Seasons

Season 1 (1978)

Season 1 of Will Shakespeare.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Dead Shepherd (1978-06-13)

Queen 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.
Ep. 2: Alms for Oblivion (1978-06-20)

As England lies ravaged by plague, Shakespeare has usurped Marlowe as playwright of the day.
Ep. 3: Of Comfort and Despair (1978-06-27)

Will 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?
Ep. 4: The Loved Boy (1978-07-04)

Shakespeare wishes for his son Hamnet to have everything, despite disapproval from the rest of his family.
Ep. 5: Rebellion's Masterpiece (1978-07-11)

Shakespeare is drawn into the dangerous political intrigues of Robert Devereux the Second Earl of Essex.
Ep. 6: The Living Record (1978-07-18)

Queen 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?