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The White Queen
Based on the Best-Selling novels by Philippa GregoryStep into the tumultuous world of the women who shaped English history in a time of warrior kings. Full of epic battles, political scandal, real-life romance, and even a little magic, this 10-part historical miniseries is based on three of Philippa Gregory’s novels about the Wars of
the Roses at the end of the Middle Ages:
The White Queen, The Red Queen, and
The Kingmaker’s Daughter.
Swipe below to read excerpts from our exclusive interviews with the author, screenwriter, and leading cast members. Plus, check out our
Wars of the Roses family tree.
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Making history by telling her story
International best-selling author Philippa Gregory is the unofficial queen of historical fiction with a loyal fan following. She gives her readers a unique and compelling look through the eyes of the women who had a hand in shaping historical events — a perspective we never got in history class.
We spoke with the author, as well as screenwriter Emma Frost and cast members James Frain and Rebecca Ferguson, about why this exciting series is different from the period dramas you’ve seen before and why it’s definitely not to be missed.
Read moreThese are remarkable women who were up against worse difficulties than you or I will ever be facing, and they survived with such courage and determination. These are our forebears.Philippa Gregory, Author and Executive Producer
Close Starz“I wanted to discover the bits of history that hadn’t so far been told. And one of the really powerful stories is that of women, which has been almost completely excluded. We have heroines that we could look up to, and we haven’t even heard of them. So [The White Queen] is, in a sense, part of restoring the balance — you really get a clear idea of who these women were. It’s historically accurate, but what really happened is almost beyond fiction. You simply wouldn’t believe the twists and turns of fortunes that these characters experienced.”Philippa Gregory, Author and Executive Producer
Read moreThe female characters feel very alive. These women are waging war. They are major manipulators and politicians, engaging in these high-stakes dramas. It’s an incredibly modern, relatable story.Emma Frost, Screenwriter
Close Starz“Each of Philippa’s books is told through the eyes of one particular woman — she took the stories apart and I had to put them back together. Philippa had a relationship with history to write the novels. I had a relationship with her novels to write a TV show. My job was to harness what people love about Philippa’s books and bring that to the screen. The first book, The White Queen, seemed like a no-brainer to adapt because it’s an incredible page-turning story — the commoner who marries the king. It’s dramatic and passionate, and I thought ‘this is going to be really easy.’ Then the second book arrived, and it starts 14 years earlier in a different geography — it’s a completely different story [about Margaret Beaufort].”Emma Frost, Screenwriter
Read moreI love the idea of excavating the history of female characters who have been influential, but who have been written out of history. It’s really exciting what Philippa’s done. It’s fun and it’s entertaining, but there is a serious intent, which is admirable and inspiring, and I’m proud to be part of it.James Frain, Earl of Warwick
Close Starz“It’s the end of the Middle Ages — it’s the story of warrior kings. These guys fought in battle in full suits of armor with broadswords, and then went home to run the kingdom. They would gather the knights up on a hill in full combat uniform, completely shrouded in steel, and then they would charge, like a tank battalion, into whoever is at the bottom of the hill. All they had to do was not fall off the horse. As long as you didn’t fall off the horse, no one could hurt you. The minute you fell off your horse, you were a beetle on your back in mud — you couldn’t get up.”James Frain, Earl of Warwick
Read moreThis is history — we’re telling something that is true, but it’s a story that hasn’t been told. I looked at the world these women were living in and what they went through — I can’t even imagine going through that myself.Rebecca Ferguson, Elizabeth Woodville
Close Starz“It was so difficult to get facts on Elizabeth Woodville. Philippa has done detective work to find anything — following the men’s trail for clues. For me to make her real is something I have loved doing. There was quite a lot I could relate to with this character. I think a lot of women can relate to a mother who does anything for her children.”Rebecca Ferguson, Elizabeth Woodville
