Watch Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents

In 2018, PBS Masterpiece debuted a thrilling historical documentary series titled Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents. The series, set in the year 1570, takes the viewer on a vivid, nerve-wracking journey into the dangerous world of espionage, where the fate of England's faith, monarchy, and freedom are at stake. The show features a unique blend of dramatized reenactments and on-screen experts to help contextualize the events taking place. Among the on-screen experts is Colin Tierney, who plays the role of narrating the events in the series.

At the time, Queen Elizabeth, the last Tudor monarch, had recently ascended to the throne of England. Sentiments had soured in England with the rise of Protestantism, and many saw the Queen as a heretic. The Queen's very legitimacy was in question, and many Roman Catholics believed that her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, had a greater claim to the throne.

At the same time, countries like France and Spain were plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth and restore Catholicism in England. The stakes were high, and the Queen's only hope lay in a small and secret network of spies and agents loyal to her. This is the story of the daring men and women who risked all for Elizabeth I.

Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents illuminates the complex and fascinating history surrounding the four fierce agents that helped ensure the safety of the Protestant Queen: William Cecil, Sir Francis Walsingham, Robert Dudley, and Elizabeth's spymaster, John Dee. Through a series of dramatized reenactments, the series shows us their journey through deception, betrayal, and ingenious planning in their fight to keep Elizabeth safe from her enemies.

In the early episodes, Elizabeth I was only a young woman still trying to establishing her reign. The security of her reign was constantly under threat. Robert Dudley, the Queen's close confidant, acted as a personal spy and friend to Elizabeth in these early days. William Cecil, the Secretary of State was the Queen's most trusted advisor, guiding Elizabeth on the path of stewardship, while Sir Francis Walsingham, the lawyer-turned-spy, was assigned to root out Catholic plots against the Queen. Dr. John Dee, Queen Elizabeth's official astrologer, was a pivotal figure in espionage as he provided the necessary esoteric knowledge to guide these spymasters.

The series takes us through the deadliest years in the Elizabethan era, as the four agents worked tirelessly to protect their Queen, with the knowledge that the next plotted assassination could be the last. It's a world of hidden messages, double-crosses, and assassinations, all for the key goal of keeping England safe.

Apart from the four main characters in the series, the show also gives us a glimpse into the previously obscured lives of a few remarkable women who worked undercover for the Queen. These women, including Alice Flagg, Mary Queen of Scots' maid, and Elizabeth Cary, known as the "Cary sisters," helped relay messages, undertake secret operations and even acted as an informant to the Queen's secret service. The series captures their bravery and the role of women in early espionage.

The series features interviews with respected historians, including Tracy Borman and Glenn Richardson, who offer their insights into the era and its political complexities to set the context for the dramatized storylines that are played out on screen. The pacing of the show is brisk and engaging, with each episode tackling different issues and themes relevant to this era, such as the rise of the Puritan movement, the impact of Catholicism, and the role of astrology in espionage.

In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents is a fascinating and tightly produced documentary series that transports viewers to the life and times of Queen Elizabeth I. With dramatic and expertly produced reenactments, the show treats us to an in-depth look into the world of espionage in the Elizabethan era, where the fate of England hung in the balance. The show presents a combination of acted scenes, historian expert analysis, and unique insights into the era. It is an incredible journey back in history that captures the complexities of this tenacious and at times, brutally violent era.

Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between January 28, 2018 and on PBS Masterpiece