Becoming Elizabeth, a new series that chronicles the English monarch’s origin story, premieres Sunday on Starz. Alicia von Rittberg stars as a teenage Elizabeth I, and she and the show’s cast told ABC Audio they were eager to explore a period of history not often portrayed on screen.
“She’s just so wise beyond her years that I think it’s just mind blowing,” von Rittberg says of getting to portray the younger Elizabeth.
Tom Cullen, who plays Elizabeth’s scheming stepfather, Thomas Seymour, argues that although there have been other projects about the final Tudor monarch, this one stands out.
“This is a period of history that I had just no idea about,” he says. “And for me, I couldn’t believe it, because it feels so important to understand one of the most iconic characters that’s ever lived.”
As part of the cast’s deep dive into this mysterious time period, they learned a lot about their characters — including some surprisingly scandalous facts.
Jamie Blackley, who plays Elizabeth’s close friend Robert Dudley, and Jessica Raine, who plays Elizabeth’s stepmother, Queen Catherine, shared what they uncovered.
“Apparently [Dudley] had an insatiable sex drive, and he kept a bottle of lotion by his bed!” Blackley says with a laugh.
Raine says she learned Catherine “was prone to using foul language when she was angry.” “It instantly made me love her even more,” she admits.
Meanwhile Romola Garai, who plays Mary Tudor, learned who her character actually was. “When they originally sent the scripts … I thought that was Mary Queen of Scots!” she says. “Mary Tudor has been sort of slightly ignored by the history books — unfairly — because I think she was a really interesting woman.”
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
May the cash be with you: Julien’s putting massive trove of ‘Star Wars’ stuff on the auction block
May 3, 2024
Julien's AuctionsTimed in anticipation of May 4's Star Wars Day, Julien's Auctions and Turner…
New Music Friday: Meghan Trainor, Sia and more
May 3, 2024
This week's New Music Friday features new singles from big names and notable album releases from…
NBC renews ‘Night Court’ reboot for a third season
May 3, 2024
NBC/Nicole WeingartNight Court will stay in session at NBC. The network announced on May 3 that the…
Nicholas Galitzine on how BTS inspired his role in ‘The Idea of You’
May 3, 2024
Alisha Wetherill/PrimeNicholas Galitzine plays Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of the fictional boy…
Fourth season of ‘Emily In Paris’ will be split in two
May 3, 2024
Netflix/Stephanie BranchuOn Friday, May 3, the cast of Netflix's Emily In Paris teased the show's…
Survey says 92 minutes is Americans’ ideal movie length
May 3, 2024
Getty/Klaus Vedfelt(NOTE LANGUAGE) After marathon movies like the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer and the…
Reality Roundup: ‘Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup’ trailer, Andy Cohen on ‘Vanderpump Rules’ break and more
May 3, 2024
Have no fear, your reality roundup is here! Here's a look at what happened in the world of reality…
On Saturday, May the Fourth be with you. It’s ‘Star Wars’ Day!
May 3, 2024
Saturday, May 4, is Star Wars Day, and the official website of that galaxy far, far away is helping…