The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
September 10, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›TV Series›The White Queen
Entertainment • TV Series

The White Queen

The White Queen is a British historical drama television miniseries that premiered on BBC One in 2013 and later aired in the United States on Starz.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The White Queen is a British historical drama television miniseries that premiered on BBC One in 2013. Based on Philippa Gregory’s The Cousins’ War novels, it dramatizes the Wars of the Roses through the perspectives of Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville. The series later aired on Starz in the United States.

Premise

The series dramatizes political conflict in 15th-century England during the Wars of the Roses. Its narrative emphasizes the roles of women linked to the competing royal factions.

Source material

The White Queen is based on Philippa Gregory’s novel series The Cousins' War, especially the books The White Queen, The Red Queen, and The Kingmaker's Daughter.

Broadcast history

The first episode aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2013, with a later U.S. broadcast on Starz in August 2013. The series later streamed on services including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in various regions.

Cast and characters

The series stars Rebecca Ferguson as Elizabeth Woodville, alongside Amanda Hale, Faye Marsay, Aneurin Barnard, Max Irons, David Oakes, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ben Lamb, James Frain, and Janet McTeer.

Key facts

  • It is a BBC historical drama adapted from Philippa Gregory’s The Cousins' War novels.
  • The series began on BBC One on 16 June 2013.
  • It depicts the Wars of the Roses, focusing on the struggle between the Houses of York and Lancaster.
  • The story is told mainly through three women: Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville.
  • The series later streamed on services including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in various regions.
🍁
Canadian context

Canadian readers may know the series through international streaming platforms and as part of the broader global interest in British historical dramas.

Frequently asked questions

What is The White Queen about?
It is a historical drama about the Wars of the Roses, centered on the struggle between the Houses of York and Lancaster in 15th-century England.
Is The White Queen based on a book?
Yes. It is adapted from Philippa Gregory’s The Cousins' War novels, including The White Queen, The Red Queen, and The Kingmaker's Daughter.
Who are the main characters?
The story is primarily told through Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville.
When did it first air?
It premiered on BBC One on 16 June 2013 in the United Kingdom.
How many episodes does it have?
The series consists of 10 episodes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Queen_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series identity, premise, UK premiere date, source material, setting
  2. BBC One — https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018sxqp
    Supports: BBC programme identification and historical drama description
  3. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-white-queen/umc.cmc.25lmoxepl9ody3k4xgvjw2b9f
    Supports: Premise, principal characters, runtime/year
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70285579
    Supports: Year, genre, cast, description
  5. Starz — https://www.starz.com/us/en/series/the-white-queen/18124
    Supports: U.S. network/streaming description, premise, cast
  6. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-white-queen
    Supports: Network, genre, premiere date, premise
  7. Wikipedia (Portuguese) — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Queen
    Supports: Production context, British-American co-production, source novels, premiere date, episode count
  8. BBC — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydneyl2S30o
    Supports: Trailer description and adaptation premise