Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of charismatic Mary Stuart (Saorise Ronan). Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the great Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Rivals in power and in love, twin female regents in a masculine world, they must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones–and change the course of history. Written by Beau Willemon, who gave us House of Cards.
“Consistently interesting…” — A.O. Scott, New York Times
“You probably know how this story ends, but [director] Rourke makes the getting-there suspenseful even so.” — Stephanie Zacharek, TIME Magazine
“Mary Queen of Scots does make a powerfully moving case for an uneasy dance between two powerful women hamstrung by male politics.” — Ella Taylor, NPR
Josie Rourke
Beau Willimon and John Guy
Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden
UK
Focus Features, Perfect World Pictures, Working Title Films