Now that “The Tudors” has been off the air a while — and Henry VIII (aka Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has gone undead and will rise again as “Dracula” on NBC — the time is right for another bodice-ripping, rip-roaring tale of bawdy olde England.
Starz gives us that — and more — this Saturday night with a lusty and lush 10-part series, “The White Queen,” based on Philippa Gregory’s novel.
It’s 1460-something and the houses of Lancaster and York are, as usual, at war over the throne.
A gorgeous commoner/widow/mother, Elizabeth (Rebecca Ferguson), gets herself noticed by the equally gorgeous, albeit younger king, King Edward (Max Irons — son of actors Jeremy Irons and Sinead Cusack). She’s looking to have her property restored, which was lost when her husband was killed fighting against King Edward.
Eddie boy takes one look at the sensational widow and becomes entranced. Initially playing the hard-to-get-Anne Boleyn game, Elizabeth eventually gives in and so does he, marrying her in a secret ceremony.
Turns out he’s done this a lot. But he means it this time. Against a background of backstabbing, intrigue, war and the constant threat to the throne, Elizabeth (aka “The White Queen”) remains both queen and sex-crazed lover to the love-besotted king.
Not only is she older than he, but she’s got a bunch of sons already, and she’s not of royal blood. This based-on-a-true tale, told through her eyes, details their love amidst war and threats of war — as well as the constant pressure of women in those times to produce a male heir.
Deeply embedded into this mostly riveting tale is Elizabeth’s mother, (Janet McTeer), who is not only Elizabeth’s chief counselor but a pretty damned good witch as well.
Edward’s chief counselor is Lord Warwick (James Frain from “The Tudors”), who’s also a king maker. But Warwick is also a king breaker and he doesn’t get along with Elizabeth or her mother.
Warwick’s daughters, Isabel (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Anne (Faye Marsay), are merely toys Warwick marries off to consolidate his position.
Woven into the royal tapestry is Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale), the tortured, very unattractive, religious-fanatic-mother of the future king, Henry VII. Separated from her son, she believes him to be the rightful heir to the throne, and fights to restore his rights.
It’s a great tale and beautifully told with beautiful actors. The only flaws? The wars and disasters end quicker than Liz & Eddie’s lovemaking, and — no matter how many years pass and how many kids she has — Liz always looks like a hormonally-raging 28-year-old, while the lusty king packs on a few pounds.
But the Brits love nothing more than strapping fat suits on those razor-cheeked, gorgeous boys.
Don’t miss it.