Becoming Elizabeth’s Alicia Von Rittberg transforms into a ruthless Princess dreaming of the throne as filming resumes in Somerset
Becoming Elizabeth resumed filming on Monday, with the cast transforming into typical lords and ladies of the 16th Century for the dramatic scenes.
Star Alicia Von Rittberg, 27, was transformed into the ruthless monarch for scenes which saw Wells Cathedral in Somerset surrounded by dead animals and severed heads, hinting an execution could be on the horizon.
Becoming Elizabeth is set to document the early years of the so-called ‘Virgin Queen’ as she becomes embroiled in political and sexual goings-on of the Tudor court before ascending the throne.
Back to work! Becoming Elizabeth resumed filming on Monday, with star Alicia Von Rittberg transforming into the ruthless Queen-in-waiting
Alicia was dressed into the traditional Tudor attire complete with Elizabeth’s signature red hair as she filmed scenes outside the Cathedral.
The German actress, who starred opposite Brad Pitt in the 2014 war film Fury, donned a face mask over her traditional dress as she prepared to film the scenes.
Much of the cast were dressed in the similarly regal attire, no doubt taking on the roles of Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting.
Period drama: The cast all donned traditional 16th Century attire as they filmed scenes at Wells Cathedral in Somerset
Spitting image: Alicia was dressed into the traditional Tudor attire complete with Elizabeth’s signature red hair (left with Queen Elizabeth pictured right)
Safety: The German actress, who starred opposite Brad Pitt in the 2014 war film Fury, donned a face mask over her traditional dress as she prepared to film the scenes
However it seems the royal outing is far from a happy occasion, as the set was littered with the heads of subjects who had faced the wrong end of a guillotine.
Becoming Elizabeth is set to document the titular Princess’ early years in the royal fold as she prepares to ascend the throne, after being orphaned as a teenager.
Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn was famously Henry VIII’s second wife, and was beheading after failing to provide him with a son and heir when her daughter was just three years old.
Dramatic: Becoming Elizabeth is set to document the titular Princess’ early years in the royal fold as she prepares to ascend the throne, after being orphaned as a teenager
RIP: Elizabeth’s mother Anne Boleyn was famously Henry VIII’s second wife, and was beheading after failing to provide him with a son and heir
At odds: The princess finds herself as a pawn in her father’s battle to hang onto power until his death in 1547, all the while hoping to produce an heir
History: She then became Queen in 1558 following the death of her half-sister Queen Mary, and reigned for 45 years until her death in 1603
The princess finds herself as a pawn in her father’s battle to hang onto power until his death in 1547, all the while hoping to produce an heir.
She then became Queen in 1558 following the death of her half-sister Queen Mary, and reigned for 45 years until her death in 1603.
She famously ruled alone without a husband, earning her the nickname ‘The Virgin Queen.’
Nasty: The set was littered with dead animals, hinting an execution could be on the horizon
Gross: Staff were seen covering the set with severed heads, setting the stage for the period drama
Filming for the series began in December, and it boasts an all-female writing team after being created by Anya Reiss, and is expected to air on Starz in the US later this year.
Of course this isn’t the first time Elizabeth I has been portrayed on screen with Cate Blanchett taking on the role in 1998’s Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age in 2007, with both films earning her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.
In 2018, Margot Robbie also transformed into Elizabeth in Mary Queen of Scots, receiving a nomination for a BAFTA Award.
Coming soon: Filming for the series began in December, and it boasts an all-female writing team after being created by Anya Reiss, and is expected to air on Starz in the US later this year