Schiller worked on the play from 1804 to 1805, but it was left unfinished on his death and was only premiered on 15 February 1857 at the Hoftheater in Weimar.

He declares that he is the son of Ivan the Terrible and was not, as reputed, murdered in 1591 as a child, but raised in a cloister and that he afterward was in the service of the Prince of Sendomir.

The forceful spirit behind the attempt is Demetrius' fiancée Marina, Mnischek's daughter, and Czar Ivan's widow.

The latter has been banned to a cloister by Godunov and has for years been grieving for her allegedly murdered son when she receives the news that Demetrius is alive, after all.

Second phase, 22 May to 22 July 1804: Schiller collects information on the historical context of the play and continues to work on the exposition of the drama.

Third phase, Mid-November to 10 December 1804: Schiller debates whether to work on the “Demetrius drama” or “Warbeck” and decides in favor of the former.