Ready for her Close-Up: Mary I in Film

Mary I has seldom been the central character of films and television. Most often, Mary comes second to Elizabeth I, to Edward VI, to Henry VIII, and even to Jane Grey Dudley. In productions such as Elizabeth (1998) and even Horrible Histories (Series 3-4) Mary’s role is simplified to her perceived identity as a weak woman ruled by her faith and her husband. Other works, such as The Tudors (2007-2010) and Becoming Elizabeth (2022), in turn, did not have scripts which sought to centralise Mary’s story and yet both presented a more human, more nuanced version of England’s first crowned queen regnant.

Why is Mary portrayed so vastly differently in these productions? Have depictions of her changed in recent years? Historian Dr Johanna Strong will answer these questions – and more! – in this talk about on-screen depictions of Mary I and the reasons behind Mary’s portrayal.

The recording of the event will soon be made available and the link will be provided here.