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The Virgin Queen

The Virgin Queen

★ 6.6/10•2006•1h 0m•16•Drama
Similars

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.

Paula Milne · Writer

Coky Giedroyc · Director

StatusEnded
Runtime1h 0m
LanguageEN
First Air DateJan 22, 2006

Episodes

Episode 1 - Part 1E160m

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.

Jan 22, 2006

Episode 2 - Part 2E260m

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.

Jan 29, 2006

Episode 3 - Part 3E360m

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.

Feb 5, 2006

Episode 4 - Part 4E460m

Part 4

The Queen refuses to pay him when the Earl of Essex, the new national hero, returns with less riches than expected. He then travels to Ireland in order to put down a rebellion. He is not doing as well there as hoped. Elizabeth, however, doesn't allow him to come back home. To her dismay, he gives up and agrees on a ceasefire. Back in England, the Earl of Essex leads a rebellion against Queen Elizabeth. He and the other rebellion members are put in the tower after he they were unable to mobilize enough support. Eventually, Essex is executed.

Feb 12, 2006

Actors

Anne-Marie Duff

Anne-Marie Duff

Queen Elizabeth I

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy

Robert Dudley - Earl of Leicester

Sienna Guillory

Sienna Guillory

Lettice Knollys

Ian Hart

Ian Hart

William Cecil - Lord Burghley

Recommendations

Becoming Elizabeth
The White Princess
The Tudors
The Spanish Princess
The White Queen
The Crown
Reign
Versailles
World Without End
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Blood, Sex & Royalty
The Borgias
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox
Echoes
The Serpent Queen
Anatomy of a Scandal
Tell Me a Story
The Terror: Devil in Silver
The Royals
Towards Zero

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