Michelle Fairley Cast in STARZ’s The White Princess

Michelle Fairley and Jodie Comer will face-off politically in one of England’s most thrilling eras: The War of Roses.

Philippa Gregory, perhaps most famous for her novel ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ which spawned several on-screen adaptations, has scored another television adaptation on STARZ: ‘The White Princess’. Gregory, big in the world of historical novels—has enthralled readers, in ‘The White Princess’ with a fictionalised yet mostly historically accurate account of the infamous War of Roses, from the viewpoint of the women, in a mostly male-dominated medieval world.

Fairley will star as Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor’s mother.

Michelle Fairley, perhaps most famous for her role as Catelyn Stark in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones‘, has been cast as Margaret Beaufort in the adaptation. Very much like ‘Game of Thrones’ itself, in which the scheming Cersei (Lena Headey) is the mother behind the young king’s throne. Fairley’s Beaufort is the mastermind behind Henry Tudor’s ascension to the throne. He’s a benefactor to the Church, a philanthropist…and he’s a murderer. Beaufort is well-acquainted with the difficulties of the medieval court to know that ascension and maintenance Henry Tudor on the throne are two very, very different things. With the York rivals gearing up in the resistance plot, the stakes could not be higher at this point.

Rising star Jodie Comer will be Princess Elizabeth of York, politically married to Henry Tudor to unify a war-torn England.

As the young Princess Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ of York is talented starlet Jodie Comer, most recently seen in the BBC miniseries ‘Doctor Foster’. Lizzie is forced into an arranged marriage with King Henry Tudor (VII), the man who killed her lover, in order to unite the hostile houses of Tudor and York. It’s typical political scheming, but this action brings Lizzie in direct conflict with the headstrong and powerful Beaufort. She hates the idea but knows it is compulsory in order for unification.

From the court of Burgundy, a rebellion is rising. There are claims that Lizzie’s long-lost brother Prince Richard is alive and in prime position to take the crown, provided such rumours are true and he’s the true heir. From the rocky roads of Lizzie’s marriage to Henry Tudor, and the endless battle that is handling the wolves and sharks that lay within the medieval court, ‘The White Princess’ tells us the story of these two women handling difficult lives in a man’s world.

The medieval court spawns the most ruthless players in positions of power. As the York rebellion gains traction and Prince Richard’s reputation rises, Lizzie is put straight in the middle of a historical and bloody tug-of-war in one of the most fascinating periods of English history. Will the rise of York be successful at last? What will this cost her and her marriage to Henry Tudor, leader of the opposing side of this war? Love, loyalty, family, duty—are the most prone to be destroyed in a war-torn country.

Michelle Fairley, richly talented and experienced with years in film, television and theatre, including recurring guest appearances in USA Network’s ‘Suits’, appearing in films such as ‘Philomena’ with Dame Judi Dench, ‘The Invisible Woman’ with Ralph Fiennes, and is currently starring in Sundance TV’s ‘Rebellion’.  Jodie Comer is a less-familiar name, but a rising star for sure: having played roles in ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’, BBC Three’s ‘Thirteen’, for which she received huge critical acclaim—she is likely most recognisable for her breakout role as Chloe in E4’s ‘My Mad Fat Diary’.

Philippa Gregory (who will serve as the executive producer), the series is boosted by critically-acclaimed television writer Emma Frost (‘Shameless’, ‘The Man in the High Castle’) who will join Gregory as showrunner and executive producer. Joining them to include Colin Callender (Peabody Award-winning ‘Wolf Hall’) and Michele Buck (‘Parades End’, ‘Hornblower’).

‘The White Princess’ will film on location in Bristol in England, and will air on STARZ in 2017. With such a hugely talented cast and a spell-bindingly crew behind this production, it will surely be one of the most hotly-anticipated historical dramas to air next year.