Watch The White Queen

The White Queen is an epic period drama series set during the tumultuous events of the Wars of the Roses in England in the 15th century. The show is based on the bestselling historical novels by Philippa Gregory and follows the story of three powerful women who are vying for the throne of England amidst the chaos of civil war.

At the center of the story is Elizabeth Woodville, played by Rebecca Ferguson, who is a beautiful and formidable widow with two young sons. She catches the eye of King Edward IV, played by Max Irons, and they soon fall in love and marry in secret. This angers many of Edward's advisors and sets off a political firestorm that threatens to tear the kingdom apart.

Elizabeth is also pitted against her fierce rival, Margaret Beaufort, played by Amanda Hale, who is a devoutly religious and ambitious noblewoman who will stop at nothing to see her son, Henry Tudor, sit on the throne of England. Margaret is a complex and fascinating character who is willing to make great sacrifices to achieve her goals, even at the cost of her own happiness.

The other key player in this drama is Anne Neville, played by Faye Marsay, who is the daughter of one of Edward's closest advisors. Anne is forced into marriage with Margaret's son, but she secretly yearns for Richard, Duke of Gloucester, played by Aneurin Barnard. Their love affair is one of the most captivating and tragic aspects of the story, as they struggle to navigate the dangerous politics of their families and the kingdom.

Throughout the series, we see these three women fighting for power and survival against a backdrop of war, betrayal, and intrigue. They must use their wits, their charm, and sometimes their bodies to gain the upper hand and secure their positions in a world where men hold all the cards.

The secondary characters in The White Queen are also fascinating and well-drawn. David Oakes, for example, plays the cunning and manipulative King of France, who takes advantage of England's internal strife to advance his own interests. Meanwhile, Arthur Darvill plays a loyal and honorable knight who is torn between his duty to his king and his conscience.

The production values of The White Queen are truly impressive, with gorgeous costumes and sets that transport us back to the medieval world. The battle scenes are epic and bloody, but they are never gratuitous or over-the-top. Instead, they serve to underscore the brutal and violent nature of the times in which these characters must live and fight.

Overall, The White Queen is a gripping and emotionally engaging drama that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, romance, and political intrigue. It is a beautifully crafted show that explores the lives and struggles of some of the most fascinating women in English history, and it does so with sensitivity, intelligence, and grace.

The White Queen is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between June 16, 2013 and on Starz