Biography of William Shakespeare.
Life of Shakespeare (Season 1)
Dead Shepherd (Episode 1)
Writer: John Mortimer
Air date: 1978-06-13
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: In which Will progresses from ostler to cockerel to ghostwriter - to London's premier playwright as Kit Marlowe falls from grace.
Alms for Oblivion (Episode 2)
Writer: John Mortimer
Air date: 1978-06-20
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Will's new troupe of actors arrive in a plague-ridden London and perform Richard III to great acclaim, but a death in the family jeopardises all. A handsome rogue is not what he seems, luckily for Will.
Of Comfort and Despair (Episode 3)
Writer: John Mortimer
Air date: 1978-06-27
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Plague over, life returns to normal in London and the theatres reopen. The inconstancy of a dark mistress and the jealousy of an Earl conspire to enlarge Will's understanding of human nature.
The Loved Boy (Episode 4)
Writer: John Mortimer
Air date: 1978-07-04
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Will's taking his son to London to introduce him to life and get to know him proves to be a mixed blessing with a tragic ending.
Rebellion's Masterpiece (Episode 5)
Writer: John Mortimer
Air date: 1978-07-11
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: In the wake of Essex's failure to tame the Irish rebels, the actors' brush with politics has catastrophic consequences.
The Living Record (Episode 6)
Writer: John Mortimer
Air date: 1978-07-18
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: While Will pleads with the dying Queen for suicidal Hal's life, his poems are stolen, printed and distributed without his permission, setting in motion a chain of events that could prove disastrous.
Seasons
Episodes 6