Guest stars have been announced for the third series of Ben Elton’s Upstart Crow which is being filmed now.

The new series, which is due to air later this year, will include guest appearances from Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer, as well as Montserat Lombard, Beattie Edmondson and Ben Miller. Kenneth Branagh and Lily Cole will appear in a 2018 Christmas special.

The usual cast of David Mitchell, Gemma Whelan, Tim Downie, Mark Heap, Harry Enfield, Paula Wilcox, Liza Tarbuck, Helen Monks, Rob Rouse, Dominic Coleman, Spencer Jones, Steve Speirs and Jocelyn Jee Esien are all returning for the new series.

The BBC describes what we can expect from series 3 as follows…

‘Containing turbulent workplace politicks behind the scenes at the first ever performance of Julius Cæſar; a mischievous puckish sprite with a magic love potion who lurketh in the woods around Stratford; prejudice that forestalls Will’s writing of The Merchant of Venice; the world’s first charity fund raising benefit – Inflated Pig’s Bladder Day; a problem with a masked ball and a fake profile; and a Christmas haunting that cometh a little ahead of its time. In amongst these dramas are all manner of transport chaos, divers sinister plots and family arguments, and a quantity of ale and pie…’

Ben Elton commented: “With incredible names like Ben Miller, Lily Cole and Kenneth Branagh all making guest appearances, the third series of Upstart Crow really is going to be a truly star-crossed show.”

Chris Sussman, Head of BBC Comedy, added: “It’s a great testament to Ben’s writing that we’ve managed to get such a talented bunch joining the cast for our third series.”