Ben Elton sitcom renewed in UK
Ben Elton gets the last laugh with a second season of his Shakespeare sitcom in the UK.
- Published by David Knox
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He may have had a bad experience with Live from Planet Earth on Nine all those years ago but Ben Elton is having the last laugh with his new sitcom Upstart Crow winning a second season in the UK.
The series which sees David Mitchell as aspiring playwright Will Shakespeare, launched in May to mark the 400th anniversary of the writer’s death.
BBC Two this week commissioned a six further 30-minute episodes plus a Christmas special for 2017.
Shane Allen, Controller of Comedy Commissioning, says: “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.”
Ben Elton says: “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.”
An Australian broadcaster is yet to be announced.
Meanwhile Elton’s production of We Will Rock You is also playing in Sydney.
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- Tagged with Live From Planet Earth, Upstart Crow
4 Responses
I’m not sure, the laugh track was very offputting IMHO, and as such I didn’t take to it when I watched the first episode.
I think you’ll find it was a live audience. At one point the actor waits for it to stop laughing before continuing.
It’s a very funny show, I’m enjoying it a lot, glad there will be more to come.
Surprised this hasn’t been on BBC First, they are drowning in repeats and surely could use the content. Not interested in the premise but with the calibre of Ben Elton and David Mitchell involved, I’d have to have a look.