BBC Factual has commissioned Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy from 72 Films for BBC Two and iPlayer.
The six part series tells the origin story of the foundation of the modern British monarchy – and how the Norman conquest shaped Britain forever.
“From William the Conqueror’s bloody invasion to King John and Magna Carta, it is an epic tale of a family at war – and a kingdom torn apart by a life-or-death struggle for power.”
The series will use a mix of “cinematic” drama, “cutting-edge” graphics, and insight from world-leading historians to reveal how England was transformed between 1066 and 1216 from a conquered land into a powerful state.
“But it also exposes a fatal flaw at the heart of absolute monarchy: the drive to concentrate all authority in a single individual pushes the system to breaking point.”
Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History says: “As the Bayeux Tapestry returns to Britain for the first time in a thousand years there feels like no better moment to bring British audiences the founding history of our modern monarchy. This is the origin story of our age, for all ages to explore, appreciate and enjoy – a proper ‘Game of Thrones’, only this time it’s real.”
Rob Coldstream, Executive Producer says: “Kings and Queens plunges viewers straight into the heart of one of Britain’s great founding stories. A family saga told with real ambition, this is history at its most gripping, a story of bloodlines, power and betrayal that still shapes who we are today.”
Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy, a 6×60′ series for BBC Two and iPlayer, is made by 72 Films, a Fremantle Company. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producers and Rob Coldstream and David Glover and the Commissioning Editor is Simon Young, Head of History Commissioning. Fremantle is handling international distribution.
Picture: King John (CSÉMY BALÁZS) Credit: BBC/72 Films/Kristóf Galgóczy
Jon Creamer
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