Queens That Changed the World Season 2 explores a new group of extraordinary women operating at the very highest level of power. They built nations, eliminated their enemies, led armies and revolts, and transformed whole societies. With psychological analysis alongside investigation from historians and academics, each episode delves into the challenges they faced and their unique approach to queenship, while also exploring wider themes such as women’s changing position in society across the centuries, and the specific expectations of female rule that were exerted upon them.
These were the disruptors of the day – towering figures in history who achieved notoriety in a patriarchal system. Chosen from a truly international spread of characters across 2,000 years of history, their careers and achievements will resonate with a global audience. Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Charlotte of Great Britain are two dramatic life stories from the UK, while our three European queens - Agrippina the Younger of the Roman world, the all-powerful Habsburg empress Maria Theresa, and the glamorous but doomed Marie Antoinette - embody themes of ruthlessness, struggle and survival in the face of political hostility. From India, we explore the life and rule of Queen Lakshmi Bai Rani, the warrior queen of Jhansi, who led India’s famous mutiny against the British Empire, ushering in the notorious British Raj.
THE QUEEN IN A CRISIS: CHARLOTTE
Amidst numerous crises, Charlotte created the blueprint for modern working royals, dedicated to family, culture and charity.
THE DIVISIVE QUEEN: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS
Arguably history’s most divisive female ruler, crowned as a baby, Mary Queen of Scots reign was turbulent to the end.
THE QUEEN WHO WAS ALSO KING: MARIA THERESA
After inheriting the family Empire, Maria Theresa, through military grit and sweeping reforms, secured her family’s legacy.
THE WARRIOR QUEEN: LAKSHMIBAI
Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, defied the British, sword in hand. Her legend lives on as a symbol of India’s fight for liberty.
THE EXTRAVAGANT QUEEN: MARIE ANTOINETTE
Marie Antoinette. A fashion icon, famed for excess, but recent historians claim there’s more to her story than meets the eye.
THE AMBITIOUS QUEEN: AGRIPPINA THE YOUNGER
Agrippina was the ultimate schemer, maneuvering herself, via her son, to become the most powerful woman in Rome.
SEASON 1
In this series we discover what drove these women, how they asserted their authority, and reveal the times when, sometimes, being a woman had its advantages.
Combining archive, location shooting, talking heads and stylised recreations, we trace the rise to power of each queen and investigate their reign. With analysis from historians, academics and psychologists, we will pick apart the challenges they faced and discover each monarch’s unique approach to power while understanding wider themes such as women’s changing position in society and what it meant to be the ‘fairer sex.’
THE VIRGIN QUEEN: ELIZABETH I
Elizabeth took the throne of a divided nation, it was her tolerance and wisdom allowed peace, prosperity, and English culture to flourish. Her response to numerous threats, such as the Spanish Armada, saw her become one of the most powerful leaders in history.
THE FORGOTTEN QUEEN: ANNE
Anne, the last monarch of the Stuart Dynasty, was one of the hardest working monarchs the country had ever seen. Even in a new, more constitutional role, she brought about the union of England and Scotland, making her the first Queen of Great Britain.
THE QUEEN OF EMPIRE: VICTORIA
In her long reign Victoria presided over a period of history which saw huge industrial, social and territorial expansion. She re-ignited the public love of the monarchy, being amongst her public, supporting charities and the arts, she led the way for modern royals.
THE QUEEN WHO WOULD BE KING: HATSHEPSUT
For centuries Hatshepsut was known as a king as she demanded to be represented as male complete with beard in contemporary depictions. She was in fact a brilliant Queen who developed trade routes, oversaw vast builds and brought wealth and artistry to Ancient Egypt.
THE REBEL QUEEN: ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE
Eleanor married Prince Louis and became Queen of France whilst still a teenager. After that marriage was annulled, she married English heir Henry, then became Queen of England. She was no quiet Queen, she had strong influence both Kings’ and her Son’s reigns.
THE WARRIOR QUEEN: BOUDICA
Boudica’s husband Prasutagus, chief of the Iceni, died, then Roman invaders beat her and had her daughters raped. In revenge, Boudica and her army razed Roman cities to the ground. Despite eventually being defeated, Boudica, her image, and legacy, live on.