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Will

2017Ended1 season10 episodes~60 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

The wild story of young William Shakespeare's arrival onto the punk-rock theater scene in 16th century London -- the seductive, violent world where his raw talent faced rioting audiences, religious fanatics and raucous side-shows. It's a contemporary version of Shakespeare's life, played to a modern soundtrack that exposes all his recklessness, lustful temptations and brilliance.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Will?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Will to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Will?

Will earns 1 badge: Preferred by Women.

Reception

Is Will worth watching?

Will's Midcredits score is the 41st percentile of all shows, from 2.3K ratings across 2 sources. 73% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

41st percentile

Better received than 41% of shows

36th percentile among Drama39th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)29th
Approval (how many liked it)55th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

66 /100

29th percentile of all shows

27th percentile among Drama29th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

73% liked it

55th percentile of all shows

50th percentile among Drama54th percentile among 2010s
73% rated it 7–1027% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

73rd percentile

2.3K ratings across platforms

66th percentile among Drama75th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 3% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the show is deliberately, openly anachronistic and takes wild liberties with history—fans love the punk spirit, detractors find it a gimmick that ruins the drama.

Fans praised

  • vibrant punk-anachronism energy captures the rowdy, dangerous London theatre world
  • playful weaving of Shakespeare's future lines into dialogue as inside jokes
  • strong casting, especially Marlowe, with vivid queer representation and period-bold production design

Detractors panned

  • tone-deaf anachronisms (modern punk music, posters) break the period immersion
  • tries to be both edgy-modern and historically grounded but fails to commit to either
  • includes gratuitous torture-porn and lurid subplots, feeling style over substance

What stands out

ActingDivisive80

Marlowe and Shakespeare praised as compelling; some find cast too young and wooden

Dialogue80

clever quotes from Shakespeare's works woven in as winks

Characters75

Marlowe's arc and queer subtext win fans; others find characters shallow

AtmosphereDivisive70

rowdy Elizabethan theatre vibe captured via anachronistic mashup

Sound and musicDivisive55

modern punk tracks divide; some love the energy, others find them jarring

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 18 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2017 · 10 episodes

  • S1E1

    The Play's the Thing

    Jul 10, 201760 min
  • S1E2

    Cowards Die Many Times

    Jul 10, 201760 min
  • S1E3

    The Two Gentlemen

    Jul 17, 201760 min
  • S1E4

    Brave New World

    Jul 24, 201760 min
  • S1E5

    The Marriage of True Minds

    Jul 31, 201760 min
  • S1E6

    Something Wicked This Way Comes

    Aug 7, 201760 min

Watch experience

What is Will like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

How it leaves you

  • Fun
  • Rousing

Setting

  • Early modern
  • Stylized realism
  • Urban
  • Institutional

Themes

  • Ambition
  • Art

What it asks of you

  • Even-paced
  • Full focus
  • Affecting
  • Resolved

Feelings

  • Tense
  • Hopeful

Style

  • Exuberant: Bursting with energy and joy in its own filmmaking.
  • Adventurous

Story

  • Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.
ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Heaviest: throughoutWry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series plays its punk-rock Elizabethan mash-up straight, committing fully to its anachronistic energy and drama without winking at the audience.
The rideThe series balances the tense struggle for success with a hopeful undercurrent of artistic ambition, sustaining a fairly intense and volatile emotional register across its run.
StructureThe series follows a conventional chronological arc of Shakespeare's arrival, rise, and the threats he faces across one season.
Episode formatThe show is a single continuous story across its ten episodes, covering Shakespeare's early years in London.
Season formatThe series has one season covering a defined period of Shakespeare's life and has concluded.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves a spirited, entertaining buzz — the punk energy and Will's creative rise feel more like a thrill than a lingering thought.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7% (this title): Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1% (this title)
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Second chance: A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).

7% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe synopsis frames Shakespeare's arrival in London as a stagnant young man whose raw talent finds a new world, a second chance at purpose and greatness.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% (this title) · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5% (this title): Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% (this title) · Technology 1%

Self

Ambition · 14% of showsArt · 2% of shows
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series follows a young man's fierce ambition to succeed in the competitive, rock-and-roll-like world of Elizabethan theatre, using his art to make his mark.
StanceThe synopsis frames Shakespeare's ambition as a dream that changed the world, celebrating his personal drive and creative achievement.

The world

Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score
SettingElizabethan London's theatre district and its gritty underbelly
MusicLikely blends period-inspired folk instruments with modern orchestral swells to evoke the 'rock and roll' energy of the theatre scene.

Content guide

Is Will okay for kids?

TV-MA

Will is rated TV-MA.

Ratings in 6 other countries
  • Germany16
  • France18
  • Austria16
  • Spain12
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye18+

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does Will have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Will?

Cast

At least 2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Laurie Davidson
as William Shakespeare
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Olivia DeJonge
as Alice Burbage
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ewen Bremner
as Richard Topcliffe
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Mattias Inwood
as Richard Burbage
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jamie Campbell Bower
as Christopher Marlowe
William Houston
as Kemp
Colm Meaney
as James Burbage
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Geoffrey Freshwater
as Barnaby Smith
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jamie Beamish
as Augustine Phillips
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Cristian Valle
as Antonio Swaarvey

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