In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled.
as Mary Stuart
as Queen Elizabeth I
as Henry Darnley
as Robert Dudley
as John Knox
as William Cecil
as Bess of Hardwick
as Earl of Bothwell
as David Rizzio
as Earl of Lennox
as Lord Maitland
as James, Earl of Moray
as Thomas Andrews
as Earl of Kent
as Earl of Shrewsbury
as Mary Seton
as Bull
as Robert Beale
as Mary Fleming
as Mary Livingston
as Mary Beaton
as Thomas Hepburn
as John Hepburn
as George Dalgleish
as The Laird of Ramorny
as James Haliburton
as Lord Randolph
as Kate Carey
as Thomas Jenye
as William Kirkcaldy of Grange
as Hector Maclean
as Commoner
as Sir Richard Knightley
as King James I
as Snuffer Woman
as Fotheringhay Gentlewoman
as Fotheringhay Gentlewoman
as Sir William Douglas
as Young Holyrood Servant
as Dorothy Stafford
as Henry Killigrew
as John Tamworth
as William Killigrew
as Portrait Painter
as Andrew Ker of Fawdonside
as Knox's Secretary
as Francis Yaxley
as Wedding Announcer
as Officer
as James MacDonald
as Urie Campbell
as Hector MacLean
as Moray's Drummer
as William Taylor
as Bishop
as Fisherman
as Attaché
as Sir Walter Mildmay
as Soldier
as Bothwell
as English Nobleman (uncredited)