Majesty, a new ITV period drama, aims to portray Queen Elizabeth I’s early life through a daring and modern lens. The project, created by former Grey’s Anatomy showrunners Joan Rater, Tony Phelan, and William Harper, will follow Elizabeth’s formative years at King Henry VIII’s court, combining historical intrigue with speculative narrative.
The series, directed by James Strong (Mr Bates vs the Post Office), will center on conspiracy theories surrounding Elizabeth’s early years. While Elizabeth I is frequently portrayed as a formidable ruler who reigned for nearly 50 years, Majesty takes a different perspective, delving into her early difficulties and secrets. The show’s makers describe it as “an emotional, funny, and contemporary-feeling alternate history about how three outsiders try to stay alive while hiding a secret that, if discovered, would rock England to its foundations.”
This unique perspective comes as Tudor-era dramas regain appeal. The BBC has received high ratings for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, a sequel to its critically acclaimed adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels. On the other hand, Majesty seeks to distinguish itself with an innovative tale that focuses on lesser-known elements of Elizabeth’s life.
James Strong, one of the UK’s most sought-after TV directors, described the scripts as a “director’s dream,” adding, “We get to re-imagine and recreate an iconic piece of English history while telling a period story that looks stunning.” Strong Film & Television, Strong’s new production firm funded by Studiocanal, will release its first significant film.
Majesty’s creative staff brings extensive experience to the series. Rater, Phelan, and Harper worked on more than 50 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. They also co-created CBS’ Fire Country and its planned spinoff and the NatGeo/Disney+ limited series A Small Light. Their work is known for its character-driven storytelling, which is expected to be highlighted in this new effort.
Polly Hill, ITV’s drama commissioner, commended the project as a “perfect illustration” of the network’s dedication to ambitious, high-quality programming for UK audiences. Studiocanal will handle foreign distribution, establishing Majesty as a possible worldwide success.
Production is set to begin next year, with casting announcements still to be made. As anticipation grows, Majesty promises to give viewers a unique viewpoint on one of history’s most legendary individuals.
