Posted on 12/20/2018 2:18:43 PM PST by yesthatjallen
Mary Queen of Scots is director Josie Rourkes historical retelling of one of the most fraught and interesting periods of the Elizabethan era. But how much of it is fact and how much is fiction?
The film, which is written by Beau Willimon (House of Cards) and based on a book by John Guy, stars Saoirse Ronan in the titular role as Mary Stuart and Margot Robbie as her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. It also showcases a number of actors of color in prominent roles in both Marys and Elizabeths courts, including decorated Shakespearean actor Adrian Lester, who is black; he portrays Elizabeths ambassador to the Scottish court, Lord Thomas Randolph.
Rourke told TheWrap that colorblind casting a period drama was important to her, because of the many years black and other people of color were left out of such portrayals and films.
I was really clear, I would not direct an all-white period drama, Rourke said. Adrian, who plays, Lord Randolph, grew up 40 miles from the birthplace of William Shakespeare; he is one of our eminent Shakespearean actors. I needed to cast an ambassador who could move between the two courts and help this make sense. I dont understand why you wouldnt cast him.
There were people of color in England during that time. According to the U.K. national archives, Elizabeth would have employed black servants and musicians, and even had a black chambermaid, though seeing a person of color as high up as Lord Randolph would have been improbable. Rourke said, however, that she didnt see any reason that these actors couldnt play these prominent roles in Mary Queen of Scots.
I hear you.
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How could the Left object to that?
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