Series synopsis
The Stuarts: A Bloody Reign is a British documentary drama war & politics television series that premiered on U&Yesterday on April 26, 2018. It ended on May 17, 2018. It stars Kate Williams, Charles Spencer, John Morrill and Philip Mould.
Four kings from the House of Stuart sat on the English throne from 1603 to 1688. It was a time of great religious struggle and political instability. The Gunpowder Plot nearly wiped out King James I. The Thirty Years War broke out on the continent. A civil war erupted which led to the public beheading of King Charles I and the birth of a commonwealth headed by Oliver Cromwell. London was ravaged by the plague and the Great Fire of London. Throughout this series we look at the reign of the Stua ...
Premise
Four kings from the House of Stuart sat on the English throne from 1603 to 1688. It was a time of great religious struggle and political instability. The Gunpowder Plot nearly wiped out King James I. The Thirty Years War broke out on the continent. A civil war erupted which led to the public beheading of King Charles I and the birth of a commonwealth headed by Oliver Cromwell. London was ravaged by the plague and the Great Fire of London. Throughout this series we look at the reign of the Stuarts through the powerful Wynn family at Gwydir Castle in North Wales, one of the best time capsules from that era. The story of the Wynn family reflects the turbulent history of this Stuart era. They had close connections with this new royal house and their status would rise and fall with the successes and failures of Stuart rule.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Kate Williams as Self/Presenter
- Charles Spencer as Self
- John Morrill as Self
- Philip Mould as Self
- A.N. Wilson as Self
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | April 26, 2018 | May 17, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
King James I Following the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, King James VI of Scotland claims her throne along with a new title of King James I of England. He faces numerous attempts on his life, including the notorious Gunpowder Plot, and the threat of the terrifying Thirty Years War raging on the continent. For the aristocratic Wynn family of North Wales though, this new reign of the Stuarts would provide great opportunities but also terrible dangers. |
April 26, 2018 |
| 2 |
King Charles I King Charles I succeeds his father King James I in 1625. The ties between the Wynn family and the ruling Stuarts grows ever closer as Sir Richard Wynn joins his King on an ill-fated voyage intended to gain the Infanta of Spain’s hand in marriage. Having failed, Charles marries the daughter of the King Of France instead, putting a Catholic Queen back on the throne. Religious upheaval along with Charles’ dismissal of Parliament and authoritarian rule eventually leads to a civil war. In the end, a king is beheaded and a commoner named Oliver Cromwell seizes power. |
May 3, 2018 |
| 3 |
King Charles II Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth comes to an end soon after his death and in 1660 an exiled King returns to London with enormous fanfare. King Charles II’s reign is a dramatic shift away from the rule of the Puritans that preceded him but the dual tragedies of the worst outbreak of plague in generations and the Great Fire Of London strike the nation’s heart. The Wynn family of North Wales, having suffered under Cromwell, return to royal favour. |
May 10, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | U&Yesterday |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 26, 2018 |
| Last aired | May 17, 2018 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday at 20:00:00 |