Episode 1
Shakespeare waves goodbye to his family to follow his dream of becoming a playwright. He enters a world of plague, rivalry and every possible kind of danger.
1587. William Shakespeare leaves the small rural town of Stratford to pursue his dreams of becoming a playwright in the dangerous, growing metropolis of London. Public theatre is red-hot modernity, and Shakespeare begins his journey at the very bottom. Inspired by the live fast, die young world he inhabits, he writes the schlock horror hit Titus Andronicus and a teenage romance where all the young people die: Romeo and Juliet.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Clips
![]()
Who was William Shakespeare?
Duration: 01:46
![]()
"Shakespeare watched and learned from everything, and everyone"
Duration: 03:01
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Juliet Stevenson |
| Director | Julian Jones |
| Editor | Justin James |
| Editor | Tom Herington |
| Composer | Nick Foster |
| Executive Producer | David Glover |
Featured in...
![]()
The World of Writers
The fascinating people behind some of the world's most popular and influential books
![]()
Shakespeare
The best of the Bard. Classic performances, unique adaptations and in-depth documentaries
![]()
Celebrating Shakespeare
Four centuries of Shakespeare’s genius - the man, his writing, his legacy
![]()
Shakespeare Season
Classic performances, unique adaptations and fascinating documentaries.
![]()
In Profile
Famous names as you've never seen them, and a spotlight on legendary figures.
