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Elizabeth R

TV·1971–1971·1 season, 6 episodes·BBC Two·Drama·1h 25m

Streaming on (US) Britbox Apple TV Channel See all

This historical mini-series documents the reign of Elizabeth I with each episode focusing on one dramatic period in the lengthy reign of the Virgin Queen, including her ascension to the throne, her various marital intrigues, her problems with her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, and the threatened invasion of the Spanish Armada.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Elizabeth R S01E01The Lion's CubS01E01 · 5.0A young Elizabeth lives in dangerous times, leading the Protestant rebellion against her Catholic half-sister Mary, and challenging her claim to the throne.
  2. 02Elizabeth R S01E02The Marriage GameS01E02 · 5.0The unmarried young Queen is encouraged to find a suitable husband so that she can produce an heir, but she finds that very few suitors interest her.
  3. 03Elizabeth R S01E04Horrible ConspiraciesS01E04 · 5.0Queen Elizabeth finds her position increasingly threatened by Mary, Queen of Scots and her loyal supporters. Will Elizabeth have to execute Mary in order to remain Queen?

Cast

Glenda JacksonGlenda JacksonQueen Elizabeth I

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode6Episodes1971Aired 4.5Season avg
  1. S01E01Elizabeth R S01E01Season's bestThe Lion's CubFebruary 17, 1971 5.0A young Elizabeth lives in dangerous times, leading the Protestant rebellion against her Catholic half-sister Mary, and challenging her clai
  2. S01E02Elizabeth R S01E02The Marriage GameFebruary 24, 1971 5.0The unmarried young Queen is encouraged to find a suitable husband so that she can produce an heir, but she finds that very few suitors inte
  3. S01E03Elizabeth R S01E03Shadow in the SunMarch 3, 1971 2.3Elizabeth meets an interesting suitor, the Duke of Anjou, much to the Puritans' disapproval. Now Elizabeth must decide whether to follow her
  4. S01E04Elizabeth R S01E04Horrible ConspiraciesMarch 10, 1971 5.0Queen Elizabeth finds her position increasingly threatened by Mary, Queen of Scots and her loyal supporters. Will Elizabeth have to execute
  5. S01E05Elizabeth R S01E05The Enterprise of EnglandMarch 17, 1971 5.0With the threat of war against Spain suddenly imminent, Elizabeth must place her faith in the strength of the Navy, led by Sir Francis Drake
  6. S01E06Elizabeth R S01E06Sweet England's PrideMarch 24, 1971 5.0An elderly Queen Elizabeth instructs the Earl of Essex to quell the threat of an Irish uprising, but will she have to deal with a rebellion

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

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