All’s fair in love and war, and the first full-length trailer for the White Queen promises plenty of both.
Based on Philippa Gregory’s the Cousins’ War novel series, the White Queen tells the story of young King Edward IV. After ascending to the throne, he falls in love with and marries a commoner, Elizabeth Woodville, the titular “White Queen.”
Conflict arises as a result of Edward’s marriage, with the Houses of York and Lancaster fighting on opposite sides to determine who is the rightful King of England. The trailer hints at both the romance between Edward and Elizabeth and the bloodshed that threatens to ensue.
“Men go to battle; women wage war,” the trailer states, indicating that the series, like Gregory’s novels, will focus on the women who fought to gain or keep power behind the scenes of history.
Max Irons steps into the role of the young king, while Rebecca Ferguson plays his queen. James Frain, Janet McTeer, Amanda Hale and Caroline Goodall also star.
The ten-episode series premieres on BBC One on June 16, and will begin its US broadcast on Starz August 10. Watch the trailer here.