Its title quotes "an upstart Crow, beautified with our feathers", a critique of Shakespeare by his rival Robert Greene in the latter's Groats-Worth of Wit.

The first series follows the writing and preparation to stage Romeo and Juliet after William has gained some early career recognition for his poetry, as well as his plays Henry VI and Richard III.

[8] In September 2019, a stage play adaptation was announced for the Gielgud Theatre, City of Westminster, also written by Elton and with Mitchell and several others reprising their roles.

[9][10] The play reopened in the West End at the Apollo Theatre for a ten-week season from 23 September until 3 December 2022, with Mitchell and Whelan reprising the roles of William Shakespeare and Kate.

The script is full of ... historical detail, taken from what is known about Shakespeare’s family life and the lives of ordinary folk back in 16th-century England.

[22]In the Independent, James Rampton writes: "Upstart Crow, ... may well be [Ben] Elton’s finest work since his other celebrated historical sitcom, Blackadder."