The White Queen

(series)
Trailer 2
UK, 2013, 9 h 57 min (Length: 58–62 min)

Based on:

Philippa Gregory (book)

Composer:

John Lunn

Cast:

Aneurin Barnard, Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda Hale, Oscar Kennedy, Reece Pockney, Juliet Aubrey, James Frain, Max Irons, Janet McTeer, Hugh Mitchell, David Oakes (more)
(more professions)

Episodes(10)

Plots(1)

BBC drama series based on the historical novels by Philippa Gregory. Set during the Wars of the Roses, a dynastic struggle for power that dominated the latter part of the 15th century and threatened to tear England apart, the series follows the fortunes of three women who are determined to have their say in the politics of their age, Elizabeth Woodville (Rebecca Ferguson), Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale) and Anne Neville (Faye Marsay). With even King Edward IV (Max Irons) and his manipulative advisor Lord Warwick (James Frain) subject to the ploys of the women, who will prevail in the struggle for power? (Platform Entertainment Limited)

(more)

Reviews of this series by the user Necrotongue (11)

The White Queen (2013) 

English I expected far better of this series than I eventually got. The creators clearly didn't have an exorbitant budget at their disposal, so all of the action takes place off screen, with more focus on romance and frequent baring of certain body parts (that’s right, breast men rejoice). For some reason, the series features a sort of witchcraft theme (I guess because Harry Potter’s so popular), which really got on my nerves. All in all, it was a mixed bag of positives and negatives for me, so my opinion of the whole series can be summed up using a neutral three stars. ()

In Love with the King (2013) (E01) 

English I'm feeling a bit conflicted after watching the first episode. I was hoping for a gripping historical drama, but instead, it felt more like a romantic escapade set against a backdrop of pseudo-history. The only saving grace for me was the glimpses of court intrigues, which hinted at a potential path worth exploring. ()

The Price of Power (2013) (E02) 

English In contrast to the romance-heavy first episode, the second one dives headfirst into political intrigue and manipulation, which I found much more engaging. However, what held me back from giving a higher rating was the historical accuracy — only the costumes seemed to hit the mark. ()

The Storm (2013) (E03) 

English This series is a bit of a mixed bag for me. At times, I'm fully invested in the storyline, but then some moments just lose me completely. Take, for instance, the overly dramatic birth scene on the boat – it felt entirely unnecessary to me. And unfortunately, there are more instances like that scattered throughout. ()

The Bad Queen (2013) (E04) 

English Once again, it wasn't perfect, but the political intrigue was a highlight for me. The whole "ends justify the means" vibe was strong. I just wished someone would shout out like Edmund Blackadder: "Run for the hills!" (or from the hills, depending on where the enemy was coming from). ()

War at First Hand (2013) (E05) 

English Well, the creators didn't take too many liberties with history this time around, which is a relief. But I can't wrap my head around why they keep shoehorning in those spells and enchantments, making it feel more like a fairy tale than a historical drama. That said, I must admit, this episode was probably the highlight of the series for me so far. 3*+ ()

Love and Death (2013) (E06) 

English I keep encountering the same underlying issue with this series: when the creators veer away from major historical events, as they did in the previous episode, and delve into relationship dynamics, it feels off. At times, it's almost like watching a soap opera unfold. ()

Poison and Malmsey Wine (2013) (E07) 

English No matter how extensively I searched, there was no evidence suggesting Elizabeth Woodville's involvement in witchcraft or even suspicion of it. Given that the entire episode centered around magic and poisoning, I couldn't justify giving it a higher rating. ()

The King Is Dead (2013) (E08) 

English Gloucester's character has always intrigued me, and I found his journey to the throne captivating. Now, I'm eager to see how the screenwriters handle the slanders from that vastly overrated playwright. ()

The Princes in the Tower (2013) (E09) 

English This episode was packed with schemes, counter-plots, intrigues, and manipulations galore. While it certainly had its strengths, I couldn't help but feel that it fell short of the quality set by the previous episode. Gloucester's rehabilitation was a welcome development, but I didn't enjoy the amount of magic involved. ()

The Final Battle (2013) (E10) 

English The series wraps up with an episode that had me flashing back to the opening of the first season of the comedy classic Blackadder. While the Battle of Bosworth was portrayed in a rather budget-conscious manner — hey, you work with what you've got — the thing that really caught my attention was the strangely advanced technology of the armor. The shoulder plates seemed to switch positions from left to right and back. ()