Welcome my lords, ladies and groundlings to the third series of Ben Elton's televisual comedie which starreth David Mitchell (Peep Show) in a tale based on the life of William Shakespeare, genius, family man and highly-strung baldy-boots as he struggleth to be all at once a father, a husband, a commuter and the greatest literary genius of all time.

Filming hath this week begun on the BBC II comedie and especial guest appearances throughout the series includeth Kenneth Branagh (Dunkirk) as a mysterious stranger and Lily Cole (St. Trinian’s) as Ephie in the Christmas special which aireth next December. The series overbrims with guest appearances from mummers such as Adrian Edmondson (Bottom), Montserat Lombard (Inside No. IX) Nigel Planer (The Young Ones), Beattie Edmondson (Josh), and Ben Miller (Armstrong and Miller).

Containing turbulent workplace politicks behind the scenes at the first ever performance of Julius Cæſar; a mischievous puckish sprite with a magic love potion who lurketh in the woods around Stratford; prejudice that forestalls Will's writing of The Merchant of Venice; the world’s first charity fund raising benefit - Inflated Pig’s Bladder Day; a problem with a masked ball and a fake profile; and a Christmas haunting that cometh a little ahead of its time. In amongst these dramas are all manner of transport chaos, divers sinister plots and family arguments, and a quantity of ale and pie...

The regular players all returneth as before, with Harry Enfield (Harry & Paul) as Will’s father, John Shakespeare; Paula Wilcox (Mount Pleasant) as Will’s mother, Mary; Liza Tarbuck (Linda Green) as Will’s wife Anne; Helen Monks (Raised By Wolves) as their daughter Susanna; Gemma Whelan (Game Of Thrones) as Kate; Rob Rouse (Grownups) as Bottom; Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner) as Will’s nemesis Robert Greene; Dominic Coleman (Peaky Blinders) as Condell; Steve Speirs (Big School) as Burbage; Jocelyn Jee Esien (Little Miss Jocelyn) as Lucy; Tim Downie (Toast) as Kit Marlowe and Spencer Jones (Mister Winner) as Kempe.

Ben Elton, quoth: “With incredible names like Ben Miller, Lily Cole and Kenneth Branagh all making guest appearances, the third series of Upstart Crow really is going to be a truly star-crossed show.”

Chris Sussman, Head of Comedie, BBC Studios, quoth: “It’s a great testament to Ben’s writing that we’ve managed to get such a talented bunch joining the cast for our third series.”

Upstart Crow will return to BBC II later this year.

Upstart Crow ‘twas commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller, Comedie Commissioning. Tis directed by Richard Boden, produced by Gareth Edwards and the executive producer is Chris Sussman. Tis a BBC Studios Comedie production.

Communicant - Mary Jones

Watch the trailer for series two below: