Genres
Networks
Created By
Will Shakespeare
Overview
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.
Key Crew
Director: Mark Cullingham, Robert Knights, Peter Wood
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (1978)
Season 1 of Will Shakespeare.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Dead Shepherd
1978-06-13Queen 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.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 2: Alms for Oblivion
1978-06-20As England lies ravaged by plague, Shakespeare has usurped Marlowe as playwright of the day.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 3: Of Comfort and Despair
1978-06-27Will 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?
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 4: The Loved Boy
1978-07-04Shakespeare wishes for his son Hamnet to have everything, despite disapproval from the rest of his family.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 5: Rebellion's Masterpiece
1978-07-11Shakespeare is drawn into the dangerous political intrigues of Robert Devereux the Second Earl of Essex.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 6: The Living Record
1978-07-18Queen 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?
Runtime: 50 min
