'Becoming Elizabeth': 5 things you need to know about the Starz period drama
'Becoming Elizabeth' is the new Starz drama that will explore the lesser-known early life of Princess Elizabeth I before she became queen. The series follows the younger years of Queen Elizabeth I, an orphaned teenager who becomes embroiled in the politics of the English court on her journey to secure the crown.
"We all think we know who Elizabeth I is. She's a total icon. But actually, we really don’t," executive producer George Ormond said at the TCA panel. "This story is really contemporary, it's shocking, it's provocative. It’s about a young, teenage girl who thinks she’s an adult, who thinks she’s equipped to deal with adult things, and is thrust into this world that’s dangerous and finds herself drawn into this relationship, which raises all sorts of questions about consent and power. We couldn't believe that this hadn't been dramatized before, but it hasn't." After 'Outlander' and 'The Spanish Princess', Starz is set to release another women-centric period drama. Here's what we know about the show so far.
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When will 'Becoming Elizabeth' release?
‘Becoming Elizabeth’ is scheduled to premiere on Starz on June 12, 2022.
What is 'Becoming Elizabeth' all about?
The official synopsis states: “Long before she ascended the throne, young Elizabeth Tudor was an orphaned teenager who became embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court. The death of King Henry VIII sees his nine-year-old son Edward take the throne and sets into motion a dangerous scramble for power when Elizabeth, Edward, and their sister Mary find themselves pawns in a game between the great families of England and the powers of Europe who vie for control of the country. Elizabeth struggles to control her own destiny and take real power as the men around her attempt to claim her sovereignty. Her fascinating and factual journey to secure the crown is filled with scheming, betrayal, and illicit relationships that threaten to bring forth her demise at a time in which every man or woman of the court is on the wheel of fortune, which may take them to a position of great power one moment, or the executioner’s block the next.”
Who's in the cast?
Alicia von Rittberg
Alicia von Rittberg plays young Elizabeth Tudor, or Princess Elizabeth. She is a German actress who has appeared in a number of German films and television series. She appeared alongside Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, and Shia LaBeouf in the American war film 'Fury' (2014). Rittberg starred in the lead role in the German TV series 'Charité' for which she received the Bambi Award in 2017.
Other cast members are Jessica Raine as Catherine Parr, Tom Cullen plays Thomas Seymour, John Hefferman as the Duke of Somerset, Oliver Zetterström as King Henry VIII's nine-year-old son, Edward and Romola Garai as Elizabeth and Edward's sister, Mary.
Showrunner
The show is created and written by playwright and screenwriter Anya Reiss ('Spur of the Moment', 'The Acid Test'), who also serves as executive producer along with George Ormond ('National Treasure', 'Great Expectations') and George Faber ('Shameless', 'The White Queen').
Trailer