David Mitchell to play Shakespeare in new BBC comedy

Harry Enfield, Liza Tarbuck and Mark Heap are also down for Ben Elton's new sitcom.

David Mitchell will play The Bard, William Shakespeare, in a new six-part series for the BBC.

He'll be part of the Ben Elton-penned Upstart Crow, which follows Bill and his wife Anne Hathaway (no, the other one) at the very blossoming of his career in 1592. The show will explore the genesis of some of his most famous creations; including history's greatest lover, Romeo, and the trio of future-predicting witches. And, because it's David Mitchell, it's safe to presume it's all carried out in a rather awkward and embarrassing manner. 

Mitchell said of his new role, “I’m delighted to be playing England’s greatest bard at this difficult time for bards everywhere. You just try getting work as a bard these days. It’s virtually impossible.”

Spaced's Mark Heap will play Shakespeare's nemesis Sir Robert Greene, with Liza Tarbuck onboard as Hathaway; Harry Enfield, Gemma Whelan, Dominic Coleman, Paula Wilcox, and Steve Speirs rounding out the rest of the cast. 

Elton joked about writing the series, “I have tried very hard to think myself into Shakespeare’s creative world, writing only with a small chicken feather and not changing my underpants for a year.”

The show will form part of the BBC's Shakespeare Festival 2016, celebrating 400 years since the playwright's death; they'll be working alongside the likes of the BFI to stage new re-interpretations of his classic works in an effort to reach out to audiences through fresh, bold takes. This will include three new episodes of the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring The Hollow Crown, and the RSC's live birthday celebration, hosted by David Tennant.