In an age of Catholic extremism, young Princess Elizabeth is taken to the Tower of London, accused of plotting to assassinate “Bloody” Mary as part of a Protestant coup. Elizabeth continues to protest her innocence but Mary is determined to be rid of her rival half-sister As the country is ripped apart by religious persecution, Elizabeth’s plight worsens with the news that Mary is pregnant, however things suddenly change. With the death of Mary the young Queen Elizabeth is adored up and down the country, but she soon finds herself at odds with her own court. Her closest advisors want her to make a political marriage to a foreign prince that will ensure England’s stability across Europe. But Elizabeth is reluctant to share the throne and refuses to commit, continuing instead to flirt with the distrusted and ambitious Sir Robert Dudley. Then tragedy strikes and Elizabeth must make a choice. Should she surrender to the will of the council and give up her power, or risk her own monarchy by pushing ahead with a deeply unpopular marriage to Dudley?

Now in her forties, Elizabeth makes one final fling for marriage – this time to the French Duke of Anjou, who is less than half her age. Meanwhile, Mary Queen of Scots – currently held captive in England – appears to be building allies across Catholic Europe. But Elizabeth’s spymaster Francis Walsingham needs proof. After years of surveillance, he ensnares Mary in an elaborate sting to ensure she can be charged with plotting to assassinate the Queen. The trial sparks an international crisis. Elizabeth’s advisors urge her to sign the death warrant, but she is all too aware of the terrible consequences. If Mary is executed, the Spanish are ready to exact bloody revenge by unleashing a massive Armada against England. As her reign continues, the Earl of Essex, the step-son of the late Robert Dudley becomes the ageing Elizabeth’s favourite. Charismatic and volatile, Essex is a national legend. Elizabeth, meanwhile, is largely ignored by the public, her finest days forgotten. As a new generation of power-hungry politicians fight for influence at court, she is haunted by memories – and turns increasingly to Essex for friendship. When her oldest ally Lord Burghley falls ill, Elizabeth’s judgement starts to desert her. She allows Essex to pursue an unnecessary war overseas. It is the first step on a trail that can only lead to tragedy.