That makes three Shakespeare-based series coming to TV, along with BBC-TV's "Upstart Crow," which will cover the same period in the Bard's life, and "Still Star-Crossed," an ABC-TV series about the Montagues and Capulets after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.

Deadline.com reports that "Will" will star Laurie Davidson as Shakespeare; Colm Meany as Shakespeare's business partner James Burbage, who built the Globe Theatre; and Matthias Inwood as Burbage's son Richard, an actor who originated many of his greatest roles. The series will be written by Craig Pearce, partner of director Baz Luhrmann. The show reportedly will be accompanied by a soundtrack of contemporary songs.

Davidson's Shakespeare will compete with the Bard of British comedy actor and writer David Mitchell, best known for his comedy partnership with Robert Webb on TV's "Peep Show," who will play Shakespeare in "Upstart Crow," which explores the playwright’s life before he found fame. The title refers to what is purported to be the earliest written description of Shakespeare, when playwright Robert Greene referred to him as an “upstart crow beautified with our feathers."

No production or premiere date for "Will" has been set. Davidson has one item on his agenda before they can start. He is still in drama school and scheduled to graduate this July.