Dear BBC
So, you're planning a TV series set in the fifteenth century, eh?
BBC Press Release Well, I was naturally very excited to hear this.
Just two small problems:
1. It's based on historical novels written by Phillipa Gregory. This is not filling me with joy, because 'The White Queen' practically sent me to sleep and has put me off reading everything else she's written.
2. You're referring to it as 'The
War of the Roses'. I have to hope this is a horrible typo on your part, because the author's website refers to it correctly as 'The
Wars of the Roses'. But it doesn't inspire me with overwhelming confidence.
Yours sincerely
from someone who loves this period of history and is happy to have a 'big, fat old soap opera' approach as long as a modicum of historical accuracy is preserved, such as accurately using the name of the historical event in question
PS
Semi-serious casting suggestions:
Richard III - David Tennant. Can look tragically out of big, brown eyes and thus would make a perfect woobie King. Can also play a right bastard, depending on how the script pans out.
The Duke of York - Philip Glennister. Just because.
The Earl of Warwick - Christopher Eccleston. Northern, hard as nails. Could believably make and unmake kings.
Jane Shore - Billie Piper. Smart, beautiful and warm-hearted with a string of admirers.
Henry VI - Matt Smith. Has the right sort of chin. Could also make Henry sympathetic, tragic, awkward and annoying - all in the same scene.
Edward IV - Bradley James. Blond, young, good-looking. Experience in being kingly.
Margaret of Anjou - Keeley Hawes. Fierce, intelligent and commanding.
Duchess of York - Alex Kingston. Proud Cis and former Rose of Raby. Oh yes.
Yes, I have got a kind of 'theme' going on here. :)