David Mitchell Addresses Future of BBC Comedy Upstart Crow—and Fans May Be Disappointed

Fans hoping to see David Mitchell return as William Shakespeare in Upstart Crow have received a disappointing update, with the actor confirming that there are currently no plans to revive the BBC sitcom.

The comedy debuted in 2016, following Shakespeare during the early stages of his career in London while also exploring his family life in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Mitchell played the celebrated playwright alongside Liza Tarbuck as his wife, Anne Hathaway. Helen Monks, Sebastian Barker, Joe Willis and Rosanna Beacock portrayed their children.

Hopes for another special have faded

Upstart Crow proved popular with audiences and was later adapted for the stage in both 2020 and 2022. However, the television series ended six years ago following a Christmas special.

Speaking recently to The Sun, Mitchell said there were “no plans” to bring the sitcom back.

Although the BBC had given “serious consideration” to producing another Christmas special, the actor explained that “sadly, nothing has come of it.”

Mitchell described the situation as a “shame,” adding that both he and the show’s creator, Ben Elton, remained “enormously proud” of what they had made.

The BBC has been contacted for comment.

David Mitchell returns in Ludwig

While Mitchell is unlikely to reprise his role as Shakespeare in the near future, he returned to BBC screens this month in the second series of detective comedy-drama Ludwig.

First broadcast in 2024, the programme stars Mitchell as John “Ludwig” Taylor, a reclusive puzzle-setter whose identical twin brother mysteriously disappears.

To discover what happened, John assumes his brother’s identity and takes over his position as a senior police detective.

In the second instalment, John is working as a crime-scene consultant alongside DCI Russell Carter, played by Dipo Ola, investigating seemingly impossible cases for the Cambridge Police Authority.

Despite ending his original impersonation, John and his sister-in-law Lucy, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, remain determined to find his missing brother and bring him home.

Third series already confirmed

Although Ludwig’s second series has only recently begun, the BBC has already commissioned a third instalment.

Responding to the renewal, Mitchell said: “I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries. I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app.”

Jon Petrie, the BBC’s Director of Comedy Commissioning, praised the programme as a smart and distinctive audience favourite, highlighting its sharp writing, compelling storyline, humour and puzzles.

He also credited the team at Big Talk with creating something “truly distinctive and much-loved,” adding that the BBC was excited to discover which mysteries Ludwig would tackle next.

Both Upstart Crow and Ludwig are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.