Ben Elton returns to Elizabethan comedy
Production begins in early January on Upstart Crow, a new six-part project from the pen of Blackadder scribe Ben Elton.
David Mitchell plays William Shakespeare in the comedy, which follows an earlier non-TXÂ pilot. Made in-house, the project is for broadcast on BBC Two next year, as part of the corporation's major Shakespeare season marking 400Â years since the bard's death.
The studio sitcom reportedly centres on the playwright's attempts at social climbing, and is exec produced by Gareth Edwards. Matt Lipsey directs.
The start date and studio is listed on Production Intelligence from 25 November, so subscribers should follow the project as more names are due on board.
Also starting up next year is a rock 'n' roll take on the life of Shakespeare: Will is a hefty pilot for TNT from Craig Pearce, Baz Luhrmann's regular screenwriter and collaborator, which is gearing up for a spring shoot; details on Production Intelligence.
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David Mitchell photo via David M Benett/Getty Images Ent.Â
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