Wracked with guilt over the arrest of a rival playwright, Will makes a dangerous confession to the beautiful and rebellious Alice; the future of the theatre becomes threatened when another playhouse tempts crowd-pleasing actor Kemp.
Will has an epiphany that could lead him to success, but he needs Alice's help; a charismatic fugitive from Will's past burdens him.
Marlowe introduces Will to the decadent elite of London, but things take a macabre turn; Alice becomes disillusioned; Will must fight for all that he holds dear.
A shocked Will learns of Alice's new passion; haunted by his inability to write, Marlowe embarks on a self-destructive path; plague haunts London; Richard discovers what he believes in.
Will and the company are shocked by a terrible discovery, and they must risk everything in a life and death struggle for survival.