If you are jonesin' for some medieval political intrigue, machinations, and regicide (times three!) then look no further thanThe White Princess. A follow-up toThe White Queenminiseries, Starz’s adaptation of this nextPhilippa Gregorynovel focuses on Elizabeth of York (Jodie Comer), daughter of the Dowager Queen Elizabeth (Essie Davis), former lover of her uncle, a slain Richard the III (I would recommend watching PBS’sThe Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Rosesfor context, whereBenedict Cumberbatchplays Richard), and about to be married off to the family enemy Tudor King Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy).
If you’ve read the book, you’ll know that Lizzie (as she is known) doesn’t have much agency throughout the story, and is more of a pawn in a game of power between her mother and Henry’s mother, Margaret Beaufort (Michelle Fairley). But in this version, which comes from writer and showrunnerEmma Frost(The Man in the High Castle,Shameless), Lizzie gets a lot more to do, which heightens the stakes between her loyalty to the Yorkist line, her missing younger brothers who are presumed killed, and her new husband, whom she comes to love (or is she just playing him – and us?)
Check out the trailer below:
Last October, I was able to visit the set ofThe White Princessin Bristol, England, and talk to its stars as well as its producers about what we can expect to see from the production. More of that coverage will be coming soon, but in the meantime I can say that I was really impressed with not only the level of detail with the sets and costuming, but way this series seems like it will be augmenting the book material to deliver a really engrossing new chapter to the War of the Roses saga (which was the historical inspiration forGame of Thrones). To say I am excited is a huge understatement.
The 8-episode series will debut April 16th on Starz. For a full list of constantly updated premiere dates, check out ourTV Premiere Calendar. Below is the official synopsis forThe White Princess:
“The White Princess” is a gripping historical drama uniquely told from the perspective of the women waging the ongoing battle for the English throne: Lizzie (Jodie Comer), Lady Margaret Beaufort (Michelle Fairley) and Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville (Essie Davis).
The story begins as one of England’s most politically turbulent times – The War of the Roses – is coming to an end. An uneasy peace is achieved when former King Richard III is defeated at the Battle of Bosworth, and the victor, Henry Tudor, soon-to-be King Henry VII (Jacob Collins-Levy), is married to Lizzie – a princess from a rival house and Richard III’s former lover.
