David Mitchell has confirmed that the BBC has axed his BAFTA-nominated comedy series "Upstart Crow," which was based on the life of William Shakespeare. The decision means there are no current plans for future episodes of the show, which concluded its run after three series.
Mitchell, who played Shakespeare, revealed that the broadcaster had been "seriously considering" a return for the show, possibly in the form of a Christmas special. However, these plans have now been shelved.
"But sadly nothing has come of it and now there are no plans for future episodes, which is a shame because it was a show of which I felt enormously proud and I know Ben [Elton] - who I think is a genius - did too," Mitchell told The Sun.
"Upstart Crow" premiered in 2016 on BBC Two as part of the commemorations for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Written by Ben Elton, the series followed the playwright as he navigated his career and personal life, commuting between Stratford-upon-Avon and London while working on famous plays. The show aired its last episode, a Christmas special, in 2020.
Mitchell also created a West End spin-off of the sitcom titled "The Upstart Crow," which had a successful run in 2020 and returned for a further ten weeks two years later at The Apollo Theatre.
While "Upstart Crow" has been shelved, Mitchell has remained active with other projects. He recently won the latest series of Amazon Prime's "Last One Laughing." Additionally, the second series of his BBC show "Ludwig," a murder mystery series where he plays an introverted puzzle setter, premiered this month to positive reviews.
Reflecting on his interest in murder mysteries, Mitchell told The Radio Times that he has always enjoyed the genre since childhood, citing shows like "Miss Marple" and "Inspector Morse." He explained that "Ludwig" incorporates a comic spin to add levity, avoiding overly gritty or horrific elements. He also noted that the show emulates Agatha Christie's storytelling, including her technique of not showing the victim until late in the narrative to keep the focus on the puzzle.