It would seem that the British public just can’t to get enough of royal dramas, with Netflix’s hit show The Crown gearing up for a second season as well as ITV’s Victoria. One thing is certain – British Queens are taking centre stage in the world TV and film (and we wouldn’t have it any other way).
Last month is was announced that Emma Thompson will be playing Elizabeth I in a new Shakespeare -inspired comedy, Upstart Crow but now it has been confirmed that Broadchurch star Olivia Colman will be joining an exceptional A-list cast to play Queen Anne in an upcoming film titled The Favourite.
Over the years many British Queens have taken the limelight in TV and film, but Queen Anne has received little recognition on the big screen…until now. The forthcoming film will follow Queen Anne as she takes to the throne in 1702 and will explore the political manoeuvring of her close circle of confidantes and advisers.
The film, which is due to be released in 2018, boasts an incredible cast including the likes of Rachel Weisz who will play Sarah the Duchess of Marlborough and Emma Stone who will take on the role as her poverty-stricken relative, Abigail Masham, (a notorious social climber), who eventually replaces her cousin as the Queen’s favourite.
Likewise the loveable Nicholas Hoult is rumoured to be playing Tory leader Robert Harley, who led the party at the time and served as Lord High Treasurer during her reign as Queen.
The Favourite will be directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and (if his previous films are anything to go by) we are certain we can expect great things from this movie. His unconventional film The Lobster received warm reviews at Cannes Film Festival in 2015. Weisz starred as the female lead in The Lobster, alongside Colman who had a small part, but the pair scored excellent praise for their roles in the film.
The subject area is one that has barely been touched by previous directors, but in the hands of unique filmmaker Lathimos (and featuring an all-star cast), we’re predicting great things for this distinctive royal film.
