Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Mary is a young and lovely 19 when she learns of her mother’s death. She has to leave France, where she was brought up, to return to Scotland to become the new queen. The first part of this series divided in two parts deals with her short-lived reign and the battles she must fight with her Protestant subjects and the English queen, Elizabeth the First. When the time of romance comes, she makes the unwise choice and chooses the handsome Lord Darnley, the most arrogant and ambitious man in her entourage. In the second part, the years have passed. Mary’s son is now James the Sixth of Scotland. Brought up by her mother’s enemies who have led him to believe that she is the cause of her own downfall by falling in love, he has never known her. James lives in a constant fear. The nobles rule Scotland as they see fit and the power of the Church has never been mightier. Learning that Queen Elizabeth the First is old and sick and that he stands to inherit her throne, James believes that adding the rich and powerful England to his kingdom is the answer to all his prayers. But the road that will take him there is more tortuous and unexpected than he thought.

United Kingdom - 2004 - 2 x 50 mn + 100 - 16 mm - Colour

Director
Gillies MacKinnon
Script
Jimmy McGovern
Camera
Nigel Willoughby
Sound
Rosie Straker
Sets
Andy Harris
Editing
Pia Di Ciaula
Music
John Keane
Cast
Clémence Poésy, Kevin McKidd, Paul Nicholls, Daniela Nardini, Robert Carlyle, Emilia Fox, Richard Coyle, Tim Mc Innerny

Production
BBC Northern Ireland TVDrama,
Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue, County Antrim,
BT2 8HQ Belfast, Royaume-Uni
Tél : +44 28 9033 8000
Fax : +44 28 9033 8408
E-mail : tvdrama@bbc.co.uk

Co-Production
Power Corp, Raging Star Films

Sales
Power Corp,
34 Gresse Street,
W1T 1QX Londres, Royaume-Uni
Tél : +44 207 323 0070
Fax : +44 207 323 0060
E-mail : oonagh.mcmullan.01@bbc.co.uk