It is London, 1601, and the great queen Elizabeth I is nearing the end of her reign without a direct heir; treason and rebellion are in the air. The Queen's former favourite, the Earl of Essex, is laying plans to protect the throne - but others believe he intends to seize it.

In the world of the theatre, the Chamberlain's Men at the Globe are approached by a member of Essex's inner circle. He offers them money in exchange for a special performance of Shakespeare's Richard II - the treasonous drama of monarchy deposed and murdered. And player Nick Revill finds himself forced to act as a government spy and keep watch on his own company.

Nick's secret work earns him enemies, within the Chamberlain's Company as well as outside it. And then some of those close to Nick begin to die in mysterious ways. As Nick moves to unmask the person who is trying to silence him he must also work out who is behind Essex's apparent treachery.