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.
SPOT ON!
If this was a Shakespearean play, then it would not matter, but this is supposed to be historically accurate....ish.
So just cast it the right way already! Anyone with a brain would not spaz out.
I had read the book “Wolf Hall” and its sequel before the mini-series aired. I looked up some issues prior to seeing it and then helped my wife with following some of the character interplay. That allowed me to watch it much more informed than the average person.
The first book in Mantel’s saga, “Wolf Hall” is written in a very inconsistent and strange manner. it changes view points, narrative method and styles of writing about 30 times in the course of the book. At first it made me throw it at the wall, but there was something that made it much more captivating in spite of its style.
Mantel is about three bricks shy of a full load anyway but she did a masterful job at bringing the Dramatic character of Cromwell up to the current historical understanding.
I was totally impressed with Aunt Jemima playing Martha White. Until they persecuted her and threw her in jail. That part sucked. Seems a great black cook cant get no respect. You know this makes me want a pancake for some reason. IHOP sucks guess Ill make my own.
I heard Chief Dan George was up for the Role of General Custer way back when. Probably just an Internet rumor.
Just as the one black chorus girl, in THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES was EXTREMELY disconcerting when she was one of his sisters! Didn't mind her in the rest of the show though.
Personally I give the guy credit for having some snazzy buckles on his vest or whatever it is he's wearing there in what, the fourteenth century?
Micky Rooney playing Mr. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
John Wayne playing Genghis Khan in The Conquerors.
Valerie Jarret playing Zira in Planet of the Apes.
Oops, never mind.
Dang he was a great actor. Glad he didnt do it Custer was an azzhole.
They bused ghetto school kids in, to see "HAMILTON" for FREE and I'm certain that those kids now believe that our FFs were non-whites! After all, the NYC schools now don't teach much factual history at all, so how would they know the difference?
Too bad Billy D. Williams was too old for the part.
The Conquerors. Awful movie that may have led to the Duke’s death years later.
“I think she’s dead.”
“No I’m not.”
I will put up with a little "fiddling" with the facts, in a movie or series, but NOT in a book and NOT with much of it at all!
Ditto. If the guy is a good actor, give him the job. I see nothing wrong with it. Its a freaking movie, not a affidavit.
We're talking about that Irish guy, right?
Maybe he was Black Irish.
Maybe he was Black Irish.
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