Historical telenovelas, discharging the overall melodramatic picture of all the projects submitted to the audience, as a reminder of bygone years, periodically appear on television. Those that succeed will continue for the next seasons and become the best. “The Tudors”, “Borgia”, “The White Queen” and, finally, “Game of Thrones” won spectator hearts for a long time. The relatively new series “The Kingdom” tells of the life of the 16th century. The main character is the future queen, who has become the epicenter of behind-the-scenes intrigues and conspiracies. Historical moments, mixed with strong characters and true love, formed the basis of the novel “The Kingdom”. The actors and roles were joyfully received by the audience, which served as a logical reason for the extension for the second season.
History at the heart of the story
The well-known television network The CW, which presented such hits as “Supernatural” and “The Vampire Diaries”, diluting genre affiliation, represents a new epic. To create it, it was necessary not only to refresh historical facts, but to plunge headlong into an entire era. Maria Stuart, one of the greatest and most influential figures, has become the central character around whom events unfold. Born Queen of Scotland, she has come a long way to power in France. What is the story without political conspiracies? Love and court intrigue inextricably follow her. The creators of the show recreated the era of past centuries in almost every detail and presented the series “Kingdom” to the audience. Season 1 was “swallowed” by them with great appetite, and they demanded a continuation. We’ll get to it later, but for now let us ask ourselves: “What is the Kingdom, after all, about?”
Plot
From childhood, Mary was awaited by the throne of the Queen of Scotland. But for her safety, the girl is sent to a monastery. However, even there are rivals who wish her death. In many ways, Mary is assisted by his ministers - nuns. But once this period will end, and she will have to return to the castle in order to occupy the position prepared from birth - to ascend the throne.
For several years, Mary has been engaged to Prince Francis, with whom it is now necessary to enter into an official marriage. But this union is only seen as beneficial for the country - so the king intends to strengthen his position and strengthen dominance. Not wanting to become a pawn in someone else's game, Maria also understands that she cannot do anything in her own way, so she has to forget about her bright feelings. Nevertheless, the years of constant involvement in ingenious plans and conspiracies make her a strong player in the field of an ongoing war inside the palace ...
Start of success
The ratings and opinions of viewers who warmly perceived the dramatic milestone in the history of the reign of Mary, so interestingly played in the series “The Kingdom”, can judge recognition. Actors and roles instantly became recognizable, and critics hastened to submit the first reviews - in particular, they liked that the story contains other important characters, such as Nostradamus, who predicted that the price of marriage with Mary is equal to the life of the king. The scriptwriters deftly entered the dark forces that live in the castle and make up the intrigue for the audience. Thus, in the general plot orientation, the historical line with superstitions and magic are equally included in the “Kingdom”, actors and roles, in addition to this, harmoniously reproduce the exciting action on the screen. The scriptwriters approached this with full responsibility - they re-read many books and archival records in order to convey the story as truthfully as possible. Screenwriter Laurie McCarthy sold a pilot episode of The CW, not knowing what the result would be. Moving the crew to Ireland, the company filmed a pilot episode, which was approved as a sign of further work. At the end of the first season at the 2014 People's Choice Award ceremony, the victory was unanimously awarded to the best (according to TV viewers) drama series “The Kingdom”. Season 2, including 22 episodes, was announced in production a month later.
Characters
Which artist is not happy to get the opportunity to transform into a historical person? The selection of actors that would determine future success was a difficult task. In February 2013, a long search began for the first persons to shine on the screen. Australian Adelaide Kane managed to star in several films, but only the “Kingdom”, in which she plays the main role, brought her fame. The Englishman Toby Rugbo for his 20-year-old acting life boasted episodes in the films “Mr. Nobody” and “One Day”. The producers gave him the central male role - King Francis. In the role of Catherine de Medici appeared Megan Fallows. The images of the rest of the lords and ladies starred Torrance Coombs, Celina Sinden, Caitlin Stacy, Anna Popplewell, Jonathan Keltz. King Henry II was played by Canadian Alan Van Sprang, previously known for playing the role of Sir Francis Brian in the equally iconic Tudors.
World love
The premiere of the “Kingdom” took place in several European countries, including Russia. According to the viewers, the creators paid enough attention to the plot and the reconstruction of the era of the time in which the action takes place. The royal court is so diverse and huge that one plexus of its participants takes on a mystical and detective tint. All characters are incredibly vibrant and multifaceted - in their constant interaction they open from different angles.
All components of the success of the future project are harmoniously combined in the series “Kingdom”. Actors and roles, so beloved by the audience, make him one of the best modern television shows of a historical orientation.