Starz' The Spanish Princess starts production with Game of Thrones actress Charlotte Hope playing the lead
Production for the Starz Limited Series “The Spanish Princess,” started on May 17. The series is going to be the third installment following the Golden Globe and Emmy award-nominated STARZ Original Miniseries “The White Queen” and the critically acclaimed STARZ Original Limited Series “The White Princess.”
The show's plot is being drawn from the global best-selling novels, The Constant Princess and The King’s Curse, written by Philippa Gregory. The plot revolves around the Tudor royal court and is a powerful story told uniquely from the point of view of the women, which also sheds light on a previously untold corner of history - specifically the lives of people of color, living and working in 16th century London.
It is being written by Emma Frost who made her return after the STARZ Originals “The White Queen,” and “The White Princess” and also “The Man in the High Castle.” She's being joined by award-winning writer Matthew Graham (“Life on Mars,” “Electric Dreams,” “Dr. Who”), and the two are serving as showrunners and executive producers. The first two episodes will be directed by Birgitte Stærmose (“Norskov,” Darling), as one of an all-female directing line-up.
Charlotte Hope, who has previously starred in “Game of Thrones,” is set to play the titular role of Catherine of Aragon. Stephanie Levi-John plays her lady-in-waiting and confidante, Lina de Cardonnes. The story is about Catherine who is promised in marriage to the future King of England Prince Arthur, played by Angus Imrie, and at the same time is the source of curiosity, resentment and suspicion among her new family.
The plot twists when Prince Arthur dies shortly after their wedding, and Catherine finds her future as Queen in question and at the mercy of a divided Tudor court under the threat of enemies both abroad and closer to home.
The cast also promises familiar faces like Dame Harriet Walter as Margaret Beaufort, Laura Carmichael as Arthur’s guardian Margaret (“Maggie”) Pole, Ruairi O’Connor in the role of Arthur’s charismatic brother Prince Harry (who will become King Henry VIII), and Narnia franchise's Georgie Henley who plays Harry's sister Margaret (“Meg”) Tudor. Elliot Cowan plays King Henry Tudor, Alexandra Moen stars as Queen Elizabeth and Philip Cumbus (“Girlfriends,” “The Importance of Being Earnest”) is Thomas Wolsey.
The miniseries is being executive produced with Frost and Graham by Colin Callender and Scott Huff from Playground and Charlie Pattinson and Charlie Hampton, from All3 Media’s New Pictures. Lionsgate retains all international and domestic distribution and home entertainment rights.
