Ben Elton’s Upstart Crow will return to BBC Two for six further 30-minute episodes and a Christmas special in 2017.

Commissioned as part of the BBC’s Shakespeare Festival 2016, marking the 400th anniversary of the writer’s death, the first season launched on BBC Two last month, averaging over two million viewers.

Actor David Mitchell commented: “I’m thrilled that we’ll be making a second series of Upstart Crow, but sad that my favourite part of the creative process – the quote for the press release – is now over.”

Writer Ben Elton added: “Making a sitcom for the BBC is the holy grail of British comedy writing. I am absolutely thrilled that Upstart Crow has earned a second series and am sorry for some of the things I thought about the Bard while studying for my English Lit O Level.”

Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning said: “What with the brilliant response to Ben’s re-imagination of Will Shakespeare’s world and the uniquely entertaining cast, it would be madness not to bring Upstart Crow back for a second series.”

Upstart Crow follows the life and times of Will Shakespeare as he starts to make a name for himself in London while trying to balance life as a husband, father and son for his family in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Season 2 will see Marlowe take a spy trip to meet Two Gentlemen In Verona, while Will and Anne’s lodger turns out to be a Jesuit assassin with his sights set on the Queen.

Are you looking forward to Season 2? Let us know below…