Becoming Elizabeth

Becoming Elizabeth is a 2022 historical drama television series about the early life of Elizabeth Tudor before she became Queen Elizabeth I.

Becoming Elizabeth is a 2022 historical drama television series about the early life of Elizabeth Tudor before she became Queen Elizabeth I. Set in the aftermath of Henry VIII’s death, it follows Elizabeth as she navigates the political and personal rivalries of the Tudor court. The series premiered on Starz and stars Alicia von Rittberg as Elizabeth.

Premise

The series follows Elizabeth Tudor in the years before she becomes queen, beginning after the death of Henry VIII. It portrays her as a young woman caught between rival factions, shifting loyalties, and court intrigue.

Cast and production

Alicia von Rittberg stars as Elizabeth, with Romola Garai and Jessica Raine among the principal cast. The series was created by Anya Reiss and produced as a historical drama for Starz.

Historical setting

Becoming Elizabeth is set during the Tudor succession crisis of 1547, when Edward VI inherited the throne and Elizabeth and Mary became political figures in a contested court. The drama draws on Elizabeth I’s early life and the tensions around religion and power in 16th-century England.

Release and reception

The series premiered in June 2022 on Starz and was distributed through streaming and on-demand platforms. It was presented as an origin story for Elizabeth I and received coverage as a period drama focused on her formative years.