Starz orders historical drama from The Forge
Starz has greenlit an eight-part drama based on the early life of the young Elizabeth Tudor.
Produced by The Forge, Becoming Elizabeth will explore the Tudor reign as seen through the lens of the orphaned teenager who becomes embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court.
Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Anya Reiss has created the series and will lead an all-female writers’ room that includes Anna Jordan, Emily Ballou and Suhayla El-Bushra.
Reiss also executive produces alongside The Forge’s George Ormond and George Faber.
“This is Elizabeth as you've never seen her before, a teenager finding her way in a treacherous world, and in Anya's hands she's a truly electrifying character,” said Ormond.
“Starz immediately embraced the ambition and vision of the series and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them on it.”
Reiss added, “Drama seems to skip straight from Henry VIII’s turnstile of wives to an adult white-faced Gloriana. Missing out boy kings, religious fanatics, secret affairs and a young orphaned teenager trying to save herself from the vicious scramble to the top.
“I should have found it hard to relate to 500-year-old royalty but Elizabeth lived in dangerous, polarising times and often made terrible, hormone-fuelled decisions. I’ve found writing her story a thrilling experience.”
Starz is currently in production at The Bottle Yard Studios on another historical drama, the second series of The Spanish Princess (pictured) from New Pictures and Playground Entertainment.
Image: © 2019 STARZ ENTERTAINMENT, LLC.jpg
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