Series synopsis
The Virgin Queen is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC One on January 22, 2006. It ended on February 12, 2006. It stars Anne-Marie Duff, Tom Hardy, Ian Hart and Dexter Fletcher.
The Virgin Queen explores the full sweep of Elizabeth's life: from her days of fear as a potential victim of her sister's terror; through her great love affair with Robert Dudley; into her years of triumph over the Armada; and finally her old age and her last, enigmatic relationship with her young protégé, the Earl of Essex.
Premise
The Virgin Queen explores the full sweep of Elizabeth's life: from her days of fear as a potential victim of her sister's terror; through her great love affair with Robert Dudley; into her years of triumph over the Armada; and finally her old age and her last, enigmatic relationship with her young protégé, the Earl of Essex.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Anne-Marie Duff as Queen Elizabeth I
- Tom Hardy as Robert Dudley
- Ian Hart as William Cecil - Lord Burghley
- Dexter Fletcher as Sir Thomas Radcliffe - Earl of Sussex
- Joanne Whalley as Queen Mary
- Ben Daniels as Francis Walsingham
- Kevin McKidd as Duke of Norfolk
- Emilia Fox as Amy Dudley
Supporting cast
- Tara Fitzgerald as Kat Ashley
- Hans Matheson as Robert Devereux - Earl of Essex
- Sienna Guillory as Lettice Knollys
- Robert Pugh as Lord Chancellor Gardiner
- Ewen Bremner as Sir James Melville
- Emma Kennedy as Ellen
- Ulrich Thomsen as Baron
- Jason Watkins as Christopher Hatton
- Richard Syms as Courtier
- Matthias Gibbig as Duke of Anjou
- Enzo Cilenti as Jean de Simier
- Stephen Walters as Gilbert Gifford
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | January 22, 2006 | February 12, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Part 1 Elizabeth remains a threat in her childless Catholic sister's eyes. Queen Mary is still on the throne and with her harsh politics, she excessively pursues the persecution of Protestants, even of her sister. Queen Mary knows that her sister has a large number of supporters in England, and therefore, she imprisons Elizabeth in the tower and later puts her under house arrest. When Queen Mary surprisingly dies from a tumor, Elizabeth becomes Queen of England. William Cecil, her advisor, warns Elizabeth of the dangers that the married Robert Dudley may, due to their inappropriate relation, cause as a member of the Privy Council. |
January 22, 2006 |
| 2 |
Part 2 The pressure on Elizabeth grows as there is still no marriage and consequently no heir to the throne. Elizabeth fears that her cousin Mary Queen of Scots, recently widowed, might claim her right to the throne of England. However she is resolute in thinking that she can rule alone. Meanwhile she continues to meet Robert Dudley. When his wife dies, rumors spread that Elizabeth might be behind her death. Details of a plot to replace Elizabeth with Mary are uncovered by Walsingham. Even the Duke of Norfolk seems to be involved and is subsequently sent to the tower. |
January 29, 2006 |
| 3 |
Part 3 In order to neutralize the threat from the Catholics, Elizabeth pursues a match with the Duke of Anjou. Walsingham discovers proof of a planed murder of Elizabeth. Elizabeth sends the Duke of Anjou away when she finds a knife in her bed and brings Mary Queen of Scots to trial. She is forced to execute her when Mary Queen of Scots is found guilty. This execution angers the Spanish and they send their Armada to fight the English as a consequence. However, the English can defeat the Armada. The news of Dudley's death leaves Elizabeth heartbroken, but when she meets the step-son of Dudley, the Earl of Essex, she allows herself to be charmed by him. |
February 5, 2006 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 22, 2006 |
| Last aired | February 12, 2006 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |