'Bingeworthy' BBC series is 'perfect viewing' based on 'greatest author of all time'

BBC fans are discovering one series that's "perfect binge-watching", and best of all it's streaming free on iPlayer. The comedy series stars Peep Show icon David Mitchell, and is based on the works of one of the "greatest authors of all time" - William Shakespeare.

When one Reddit user asked for "good and long series to binge", plenty rushed to recommend Upstart Crow, which sees Mitchell take on the role of Will Shakespeare in his heyday. First premiering in 2016, the show is written by Ben Elton and stars Mark Heap, Liza Tarbuck and Kenneth Branagh alongside Mitchell.

So far there are 20 episodes in total across three series, along with a 2020 Christmas special. Set in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the period sitcom uses some of Shakespeare's most prolific works - so fans of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth will have plenty to enjoy.

One review of the series said: "Excellent modern comedy set in 1592, the Bard's Elizabethan era. A truly brilliant script marrying period language with modern Brummie-tinged humour, written by Ben Elton & the same team who wrote and produced Blackadder."

Another echoed: "It is a tragedy that I have not discovered this show earlier. After a weekend of binge watching I can say that is my favourite role by David Mitchell to date. The entire cast kills in their own respective ways, with special mention of Rob Rouse and Helen Monks."

"This really should be on the English Lit. syllabus in every school! It effectively removes the terror associated with the Bard's stellar reputation, whilst also grounding the plays in relatable, amusing ways. I do think Ben Elton has outdone himself with this show, and the cast is simply brilliant," someone else gushed.

A fourth fan echoed: "I will go on record as stating Upstart Crow is one of the cleverest half hours one can spend on television. The actors are all brilliant, the script is unbelievably clever, and the premise is just heavenly."