updated: 07/04/2006
This mini-series followed the stories of Mary queen of Scots (Clémence Poésy) from her return to Scotland to her abdication and her son James’s accession to the throne of England on the death of queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth I (Catherine McCormack) had only a minor role – mainly raging at events going on over the border and at her agents unsatisfactory attempts to influence them.
I am intrigued by the look of queen Elizabeth in this mini-series: the one thing you do not associate with Elizabeth is a mass of – her own – red hair. Clearly, there was a conscious decision not to have the receding hairline, obvious wig and heavy makeup (though arguably some of that may have come after Mary’s death): I’m just not sure whether this was a design decision – and if so on what basis – or whether it was simply the result of budget restrictions.
Penny Smith was makeup designer; Sue Westwood & Gabi Cretan were makeup artists; Steven Smith was assistant makeup artist.