The BEST episodes of Upstart Crow season 1

Every episode of Upstart Crow season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Upstart Crow season 1!

William Shakespeare starts to make a name for himself in London while also trying to be a good husband and father for his family in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Last Updated: 11/9/2024Network: BBC TwoStatus: Ended
The Quality of Mercy
star
7.71
118 votes

#1 - The Quality of Mercy

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/13/2016

There is money to be made investing in cargos from the New World, but while Marlowe invests in tobacco and potato products, Will would rather invest in building a new theatre. But when Will's savings go missing, he is forced to make a rather unusual bargain with his rival Robert Greene. Kate's frustration with the lack of roles for women leads her to make a rather dramatic intervention...

Directors: Matt Lipsey
Writer: Ben Elton
Watch Now:Amazon
What Bloody Man Is That?
star
7.60
114 votes

#2 - What Bloody Man Is That?

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/6/2016

The plague leads Will and his friends to escape to the family home in Stratford. On the way, they meet three witches who have some surprising predictions to make about Will's future, leading to a very serious case of house envy.

Directors: Matt Lipsey
Writer: Ben Elton
Watch Now:Amazon
Love Is Not Love
star
7.48
122 votes

#3 - Love Is Not Love

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/30/2016

Will completes his final sonnet and senses literary immortality just around the corner. But will the fair youth and the dark lady like them as much as he hopes? And is Anne likely to be impressed that her husband's 154 hot new love poems don't contain much about her?

Directors: Matt Lipsey
Writer: Ben Elton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Play's the Thing
star
7.47
158 votes

#4 - The Play's the Thing

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/16/2016

Will's controversial new play is about to be presented to Queen Elizabeth, but it goes missing and the finger of suspicion points to his best friend and fellow author KIt Marlowe. The playwright has to scramble desperately to come up with a way to recover his stolen masterpiece, though given its politically sensitive content, is he really wise to want it back?

Directors: Matt Lipsey
Writer: Ben Elton
Watch Now:Amazon
The Apparel Proclaims the Man
star
7.47
131 votes

#5 - The Apparel Proclaims the Man

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/23/2016

Will hopes to move up in the world when he is invited to Lord Southampton's party. But what should a poorly-educated country boy wear to London's poshest do? And are Sir Robert Greene's fashion tips a double bluff, a triple bluff or something even more fiendish?

Directors: Matt Lipsey
Writer: Ben Elton
Watch Now:Amazon
Star-Crossed Lovers
star
7.42
221 votes

#6 - Star-Crossed Lovers

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/9/2016

Will struggles to find inspiration for Romeo while having to deal with an angry actor, a very annoying house-guest and his family’s not terribly helpful script suggestions.

Directors: Matt Lipsey
Writer: Ben Elton
Watch Now:Amazon