Warning: This series premiere's in the UK on June 16th but not until August 10th in the US. There may be open spoilers in here between now and the Starz launch.
Production
The BBC's flagship summer drama this year is an adaptation of Phillippa Gregory's historical fiction series The Cousin's War. Each episode cost more than £1million to make with a total budget of £25million. Shot on location in Belgium.
Synopsis
The year is 1464 and England has been at war for nine years battling over who is the rightful King of England it is a war between two sides of the same family, The House of York and The House of Lancaster.
The White Queen is the thrilling story of the women caught up in the ongoing conflict for the throne they are some of the most ruthless players in history and will stop at nothing to support their own causes and those of the ones they love.
Trailers
BBC Launch Trailler
BBC Series Trailer
BBC Director's Cut Trailer
Starz Series trailer
Series Info
Series 1 - 10 Episodes.
Broadcast Info
UK - BBC One - Starts 9pm-10pm, June 16th. Broadcasts every following Sunday.
US - Starz - Starts 9pm/8c, August 10th.
NB: As this is a fictional drama based on historic events I have marked in spoilers major events for the characters.
Production
The BBC's flagship summer drama this year is an adaptation of Phillippa Gregory's historical fiction series The Cousin's War. Each episode cost more than £1million to make with a total budget of £25million. Shot on location in Belgium.
Synopsis
The year is 1464 and England has been at war for nine years battling over who is the rightful King of England it is a war between two sides of the same family, The House of York and The House of Lancaster.
The White Queen is the thrilling story of the women caught up in the ongoing conflict for the throne they are some of the most ruthless players in history and will stop at nothing to support their own causes and those of the ones they love.
Characters
House of York
Rebecca Ferguson as Elizabeth Woodville
Elizabeth was married to Sir John Grey, who died at the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461 fighting for the Lancastrian king, Henry VI. Elizabeths father, Baron Rivers, also supports the House of Lancaster. Her mother Jacquetta is a relation to both Henry VI and his wife Margaret of Anjou.
One morning Elizabeth begs the new York king, Edward IV, for mercy and to have her late husbands land returned to her and her two sons. Edward who has a reputation as a bit of a playboy falls for her instantly.
She is warned by her family to stay away, she is a Lancaster and a commoner, the York King will never make an honest woman of her. But will love conquer politics?
- Max Irons as Edward IV of England
Born in 1442 to Richard, Duke of York. He was the great-great grandson of Edward III, where his claim to the throne lies.
With the support of his cousin Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick also referred to as the Kingmaker he defeated the Lancastrian forces and was declared King at just 19.
Three years into his reign, he meets Elizabeth Woodville a widow and a Lancastrian supporter. They fall in love much to the displeasure of Warwick, who feels their relationship undermines the Yorkist campaign. Warwick would rather Edward marry a French princess for diplomatic reasons. Can he defy the man who helped him become King?
- James Fran as Lord Warwick, "the Kingmaker"
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, was pivotal in Edward IV being crowned King of England, and is also known as Warwick the Kingmaker.
He does not approve of Edwards relationship with Elizabeth Woodville, a widow and a Lancastrian supporter. He wants Edward to have a diplomatically advantageous marriage to a French princess, so that his reign may be more secure.
He has two daughters, Isabel and Anne, who is determined to marry off to influential families.
- Janet McTeer as Jacquetta Woodville
Jacquetta was the daughter of Count Peter of Luxembourg. When she was 17 she married John of Lancaster, Henry Vs brother. He died two years later and the marriage was childless.
Sir Richard Woodville was Johns chamberlain and accompanied the young widow back to England from Normandy. On the voyage they fell in love and were married in secret. This caused a huge scandal at the time, as Richard was a commoner. They were fined £1000 as they had not sought permission from King Henry VI.
Richard was later made Baron Rivers and helped Henry VI in his battles against the York claimants to the throne. They had 14 children including Elizabeth Woodville.
Although Jacquetta supports, and is related to, the Lancastrian King Henry she recognises the importance of staying on the side of power. She encourages and aids Elizabeths relationship with Edward, while hiding it from her husband.
- Faye Marsay as Lady Anne Neville
Lord Warwick's daughtera pawn in her fathers battle for controlas Princess of Wales (House of Lancaster) and eventually queen consort to King Richard III (House of York).
- Caroline Goodall as Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, a granddaughter of John, Duke of Lancaster, she was mother of Edward IV, George of Clarence, Richard of Gloucester, and aunt to Lord Warwick.
- David Oakes as George, Duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV.
- Aneurin Barnard as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, brother of Edward IV,
later King Richard III
- Eleanor Tomlinson as Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence, wife of George, Duke of Clarence and elder sister of Lady Anne Neville.
- Ashley Charles, as the Prince of Wales
(later King Edward V), eldest son and heir to Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville; later one of the Princes in the Tower.
- Freya Mavor as Elizabeth of York,
eldest daughter and child to Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, later consort to Henry VII.
House of Lancaster
- Amanda Hale as Margaret Beaufort
A fierce Lancastrian supporter, Margaret was married to the half-brother of the Lancastrian King Henry VI. Her husband, Edmund Tudor, died in battle shortly after they were married. She had her only child, Henry Tudor, when she was just 13.
A wealthy heiress, she will not accept Edward as King, especially with Henry VI still alive. She is disgusted with Jacquetta Woodville for switching to the House of York.
Veerle Baetens as Margaret of Anjou, queen consort to Henry VI of England.
Joey Batey as Edward of Lancaster, son of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou.Edward is married to Lady Anne Neville as her first husband.
Oscar Kennedy portrays a youthful Henry Tudor and Michael Marcus as Henry VII of England;only son and heir of Lady Margaret Beaufort by Sir Edmund Tudor.
David Shelley as Henry VI of England.
Tom McKay as Jasper Tudor, brother-in-law to Lady Margaret Beaufort and uncle to Henry Tudor.
Trailers
BBC Launch Trailler
BBC Series Trailer
BBC Director's Cut Trailer
Starz Series trailer
Series Info
Series 1 - 10 Episodes.
Broadcast Info
UK - BBC One - Starts 9pm-10pm, June 16th. Broadcasts every following Sunday.
US - Starz - Starts 9pm/8c, August 10th.
NB: As this is a fictional drama based on historic events I have marked in spoilers major events for the characters.
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