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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

TV Series Review: The White Queen

The White Queen
A STARZ Original Miniseries Event

Original Run: BBC One June 16, 2013 – August 18, 2013/STARZ August 10, 2013 – October 19, 2013

STARZ

About the Series:
The White Queen is a riveting portrayal of one of the most dramatic and turbulent times in English history. A story of love and lust, seduction and deception, betrayal and murder, it is uniquely told through the perspective of three different, yet equally relentless women - Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Anne Neville. In their quest for power, they will scheme, manipulate and seduce their way onto the English throne.

The year is 1464, before the Tudor dynasty ruled the country, and war has been ravaging throughout England over who is the rightful King. It is a bitter dispute between two sides of the same family, The House of York and The House of Lancaster.

The House of York's young and handsome Edward IV is crowned King of England with the help of the master manipulator, Lord Warwick "The Kingmaker." But when Edward falls in love with a beautiful Lancastrian commoner, Elizabeth Woodville, Warwick's plan to control the throne comes crashing down.

A violent, high-stakes struggle ensues between Elizabeth, her most fierce adversary, Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville, the pawn in her father's power game - each woman vying for the crown.


STARZ

Review:
Manipulation is the name of the game! The White Queen miniseries event has come to an end this past weekend with an epic battle and a promise of the new King and the new reign. It was a great run for the series, which kept me thoroughly entertained and waiting for the Saturday night each week to get more of these ferocious ladies, all vying for the power, their men, and of course the coveted throne of England.




Based on Philippa Gregory’s book series, The Cousins’ War, this made for TV drama delivered on delicious court intrigue, passion and love of kings and queens, and grand battles for honor, deceit, and power – each episode took us on a journey. From Elizabeth Woodville, the White Queen and her epic story of love and struggle, to the true master of manipulation – Margaret Beaufort, and the Kingmaker’s Daughter, Anne Neville caught in the midst of her father’s thirst for power and then her own struggles as she fulfills her father’s ambition by becoming queen. These women brought on the drama and were the fiercest players in the War of the Roses, at least as Philippa Gregory and the filmmakers will have us believe.

I truly enjoyed the series and would without a doubt recommend it to fans of historical drama [not to be confused with docudrama]. The setting and costumes bring this harsh world of the 15th century England to the front, highlighting the battles and struggles that the characters must undergo. The cast does a fabulous job by bringing to life these figures of historical importance and making the world of kings and queens much more real, at least for an hour a week…

Must watch!

The Cousins’ War Series:

Philippa Gregory

The White Queen (The Cousins' War #1)
The Red Queen (The Cousins' War #2)
The Lady of the Rivers (The Cousins' War #3)
The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Cousins' War #4)
The White Princess (The Cousins' War #5)
The Last Rose (The Cousins' War #6)
Expected Publication: 2014

5 comments:

  1. I loved this series! I wish that it was longer. And I really enjoyed the first 2 books in the series. Have you ever watched the Tudors? It was another awesome historical drama.

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    1. Monique, I loved it too and really wish they would make more, but I don't think that's happening. Although, there is word that there will be more of her books made for TV/film. :)
      I haven't read the books myself, but I'm thinking I might give The White Princess a try.

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  2. I really enjoyed the show :) The costumes, the drama, they did well

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  3. I don't have Starz, so will get this on Netflix one of these days. I absolutely love Philippa Gregory!

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  4. @Blodeuedd - I thought so too! :)

    @Jill - It's only 10 episodes, but definitely worth a watch if you can find it online somewhere.

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