The White Princess: Production Begins on Starz Sequel Series; Full Cast Announced

Production has begun on The White Princess TV show coming to Starz. This follow-up to The White Queen TV series is adapted from Philippa Gregory’s best-selling novel — part of The Cousins’ War book series. Jodie Comer stars as Princess Elizabeth of York. Michelle Fairly is Margaret Beaufort, Henry Tudor’s mother.

Jacob Collins-Levy has been cast as Henry VII. Joanne Whalley joins as the widowed Duchess of Burgundy, Elizabeth of York’s aunt, and sister to dead kings Richard III and Edward IV of England. Essie Davis plays Princess Elizabeth’s mother Dowager Queen Elizabeth “The White Queen.” Suki Waterhouse has been cast as Cecily of York, younger sister to Princess Elizabeth. Vincent Regan joins as Jasper Tudor.

Here is the Starz press release:

PRODUCTION COMMENCES ON STARZ’ “THE WHITE PRINCESS”

Jacob Collins-Levy, Joanne Whalley, Essie Davis, Suki Waterhouse and Vincent Regan Join Cast

Jamie Payne Attached to Direct and Produce

Beverly Hills, Calif. – June 13, 2016 – Starz announced today production has commenced on “The White Princess,” the follow-up to the Golden Globe(R) and Emmy(R) award-nominated STARZ Original Mini-series “The White Queen,” from Company Pictures and Playground. Adapted from Philippa Gregory’s best-selling novel of the same name and part of The Cousins’ War book series, “The White Princess” sees England ostensibly united by the marriage of Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII, but their personal and political rift runs deep and the war that rages between them threatens to tear the kingdom apart once again. “The White Princess” is a tale of power, family, love, betrayal and death, which charts one of the most tumultuous times in British history uniquely from the point of view of the women waging the ongoing battle for the English throne. The 8-episode Original Limited Series drama is helmed by writer Emma Frost (“The White Queen,” “The Man in the High Castle,” “Shameless“) as Showrunner and Executive Producer. The show will be directed by Jamie Payne (“Legends,” “Quantico“), also on board as Producer. “The White Princess” is shooting on location in Bristol and around the UK.

Full casting is also now announced: newcomer Jacob Collins-Levy (“Glitch,” Holding the Man) joins the production in the role of Henry VII, the paranoid and unlikely king forced to marry an enemy to secure his throne; the equally unwilling Princess Elizabeth (played by Jodie Comer (“Doctor Foster,” “My Mad Fat Diary”), daughter of the rival House of York; and Princess Elizabeth’s mother Dowager Queen Elizabeth “The White Queen,” indomitable strategist and unwavering supporter of the York cause, is played by Essie Davis (Babadook, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”). Even after the death of her husband King Edward IV and the fall of her House from the throne, Elizabeth’s faith in York’s eventual return to power is sustained by the boy she believes to be Prince Richard – her last surviving son and the only genuine challenge to King Henry’s royal claim. Loyalties blur and families find themselves on opposing sides as the House of Tudor tries to cement its rule over an increasingly fragmented empire, where loyalty is a scarce commodity and the fear of betrayal is ever-present.

Joanne Whalley (“Wolf Hall,” “The Borgias“) joins as the widowed Duchess of Burgundy, Elizabeth of York’s aunt, and sister to dead kings Richard III and Edward IV of England – a sensual, intelligent York woman who presides over her cultured court across the English Channel. Previously announced Michelle Fairley (“Game of Thrones,” “Rebellion“) will play the role of Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII’s mother who was a philanthropist, benefactor for the Church, and the calculating mastermind behind Henry’s ascent to the Throne of England. Margaret understands that winning the throne and keeping it safe for the Tudor line are two different things, and works to fortify King Henry’s rule, as York rivals continue to plot against them.

Suki Waterhouse (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Insurgent) has been cast as Cecily of York, the self-interested and jealous younger sister to Princess Elizabeth, while the role of their cousin Margaret Plantagenet – reluctant member of the York clan because of the precarious political position it puts her and her brother in at the Tudor court – is played by Rebecca Benson (“Game of Thrones,” Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth).

Other cast includes: Rhys Connah as Teddy, Caroline Goodall as Duchess Cecily, Kenneth Cranham as Bishop Morton and Vincent Regan (300) as Jasper Tudor. Director and Producer Jamie Payne previously directed three episodes of the acclaimed STARZ Original Mini-series “The White Queen,” and he is integral in shaping the vision for “The White Princess” – directing episodes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8. Jamie has most recently directed an episode of “Queen of the South” for FOX, “Quantico” for ABC Studios and directed and produced two episodes of “Legends.” He directed episodes of “Indian Summers” for New Pictures and Channel 4 and three episodes of “American Odyssey” for NBC Universal, starring Anna Friel, Peter Facinelli, Treat Williams and Jack Robinson. Jamie directed critically acclaimed mini-series “The Driver,” starring David Morrissey, “Da Vinci’s Demons” for STARZ & BBC, and episodes of the Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy and BAFTA nominated series “The Hour” and “The Hour II” starring Romola Garai, Ben Wishaw and Dominic West.

Lachlan MacKinnon (“Burton and Taylor”) is serving as Producer for the series, with Gregory on board as Executive Producer on this adaptation of her novel. Playground’s Colin Callender (“The White Queen,” “The Dresser,” “Wolf Hall”) and Scott Huff will serve as Executive Producers with Company Pictures’ Michele Buck (“Parades End,” “Sex Traffic,” “Hornblower”).

About “The White Princess”

“The White Princess” concludes the story of England’s War of the Roses and charts the rise of the House of Tudor through the tempestuous marriage between Princess Elizabeth of York and King Henry VII. The year is 1485 and Princess Elizabeth, daughter of “The White Queen,” has been pledged in marriage to the newly anointed King Henry VII in hopes that it will bring peace to a war-torn country. England is united, but their marriage is soon divided, as rumors circulate that Elizabeth’s long-lost brother Prince Richard is alive and planning to take the throne. Now she must choose between Tudor wife and York princess, between her new husband and the boy who claims to be her own blood and the true heir to the crown. “The White Princess” tells the story of one of the most fascinating periods of British history uniquely from the women’s point of view. “The White Princess” is filming on location in Bristol, UK and will air on STARZ in 2017. Starz retains all domestic and international multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment, and digital.