Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Tells the wild story of young William Shakespeare's arrival onto the punk-rock theater scene in 16th-century London: the seductive, violent world in which his raw talent faced rioting audiences, religious fanatics, and raucous sideshows. It's described as a contemporary version of Shakespeare's life, played to a modern soundtrack that exposes all his recklessness, lustful temptations, and brilliance. Attracted to Will's naive genius is Alice Burbage, the talented, beautiful, rebellious daughter of James Burbage, the carpenter with a vision to build the first theater in London since Roman times. Despite being an impresario's daughter, Alice is forbidden by society from pursuing a career in the theatre. Her brother Richard Burbage is innately talented, but too much in love with himself and prone to overact. A chance encounter at the theatre leads him to team up with Will in what would soon become the greatest actor-writer partnership the world has ever seen. Rounding out Will's cast of characters are playwright, poet, and rival Christopher Marlowe and wealthy, notorious Catholic-hunter Richard Topcliffe.
Loading. Please wait...
Episode 1
Mon, Jul 10, 201757 mins
During a time of religious turmoil in England, Will Shakespeare arrives in London from the small town of Stratford with little more than a dream and a treasonous letter.






