British actress Anne-Marie Duff, best known for her role as Fiona Gallagher in the black comedy Shameless, takes up the mantle of the Virgin Queen in this four-part BBC mini-series.
Denied legitimacy by her father Henry VIII, Elizabeth immortalised the Tudor dynasty on a scale that her father could only dream of. Duff’s Elizabeth - from fragile princess to all powerful queen - is surprisingly engaging. Though proving solid in her previous roles, it is this part which allows the actress to show off a range and skill never before asked of her. And Duff certainly delivers, with a measured performance that renders England’s most iconic monarch human.
The rest of the cast are equally impressive with the underused Sienna Guillory particularly dazzling. As the Queen’s rival, Lettice Knollys, Guillory’s striking charm is a perfect counter to Duff’s burning intensity.
With the recent release of Cate Blanchett’s Elizabeth: The Golden Age, this offering should benefit from the Elizabethan revival. Lavishly produced and meticulously executed, this polished BBC production is a fine addition to the cinematic creation.
