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‘Mary Queen of Scots’ Fact Check: Was Queen Elizabeth’s Ambassador Actually Black?
The Wrap ^ | December 9, 2018 | Trey Williams

Posted on 12/20/2018 2:18:43 PM PST by yesthatjallen

“Mary Queen of Scots” is director Josie Rourke’s 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 Mary’s and Elizabeth’s courts, including decorated Shakespearean actor Adrian Lester, who is black; he portrays Elizabeth’s 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 don’t understand why you wouldn’t 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 didn’t see any reason that these actors couldn’t play these prominent roles in “Mary Queen of Scots.”


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: adrianlester; beauwillimon; elizabethi; godsgravesglyphs; history; houseofcards; johnguy; josierourke; lies; lordthomasrandolph; margotrobbie; maryqueenofscots; marystuart; racism; saoirseronan; tudors
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To: Ditto
Ditto. If the guy is a good actor, give him the job. I see nothing wrong with it. It’s a freaking movie, not a affidavit.

I agree. If I want a history lesson, I'll read a book. Hollywood's only job is to entertain me. It's a supporting role. It's not like they cast Oprah as the Queen.

81 posted on 12/20/2018 5:52:31 PM PST by Drew68
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To: morphing libertarian
Why should you? We know that in 1944 they would be speaking German, but in the internal construct of the film, they are speaking English instead. Or French or Swedish or whatever language it’s dubbed in for other markets.

Hardly analogous. But if they had Idris Elba playing Erwin Rommel, that would hardly enhance the suspension of disbelief.

82 posted on 12/20/2018 5:52:56 PM PST by SoCal Pubbie
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To: morphing libertarian
Hmmmmmmmmmmm...I've seen Bette Davis do 2, Dame Flora Robson do 2, Jean Simmons do 1, Florence Eldridge do 1, Helen Mirren do 1, Glenda Jackson in 2 or 3, Cate Blachette do 2, Vanessa Redgrave do 1, Damn Jud Dench do 1, Miranda Richardson do 1, and I may be missing a couple of others. But that list is 14 or 15 different movies/T.V. series I've seen.

Ooooooooooooooooops...add two more, a young Elizabeth was in the T.V. series THE WIVES OF HENRY VIII, starring Keith Michell and the old THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, starring Errol Flynn. And I just may be forgetting other movies/T.V. series.

Add to that, the many books about Elizabeth and all of the Tudors, I have and have read. Yes, I am interested in and like this era and Queen Elizabeth.

Frankly, I couldn't care less whether you see it or not; it's your choice, your money, and since you obviously enjoy badly made movies...go for it. :-)

83 posted on 12/20/2018 6:16:54 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Drew68

It’s a UK made movie; NOT Hollywood; but, the Brits have gone waaaaaaaaaaay downhill.


84 posted on 12/20/2018 6:18:10 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

I am so impressed by your reliance on other. Thank you for giving me persmission to watch want I want. i feel so honored.


85 posted on 12/20/2018 6:21:22 PM PST by morphing libertarian (Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
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To: morphing libertarian
Oh blow it out your ear!

I don't rely on reviews, per se; I just posted what the reviews I've read said. And since I usually agree with those who wrote, I'll take their word for it re this movie; especially re now knowing about the RACIST miscasting!

Unlike YOU, I have extensive knowledge of this era, these historical people, and have seen far more movies and T.V. series than you have, so I really don't have to waste my time on this new version.

Have fun seeing it...or not. ;^)

86 posted on 12/20/2018 6:34:03 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Equine1952
If one is a commander in a lot of fights there will be bad days. Custer at Gettysburg came close to the same thing. His people just outlasted the Rebels.
I am sure he did disbelieve the Crow scouts as to the size of the Indian encampment. It literally was the biggest gathering of tribes ever on the Northern Plains, much bigger than the gathering for the signing of the Treaty of Ft Laramie.
Besides extensive combat experience in the WBTS Custer had seen quite a bit if campaigning against Indians on the plains. He also knew if certain Indians didn;t want to fight on a given day they would tell any exaggeration they could think of. He realized his mistake pretty quickly and that's why he wanted Reno and the rest of his force to unite with him and bring lots of ammo from the pack unit. I never commanded more than a squad and from that very humble level I would be very reluctant to second guess an experienced battle captain attempting to shape the battlefield to gain victory.

Now strategic surprise which has been sprung on the US Army three times in the last 75 years is another matter. The Ardennes and Tet 68 are good examples of complacency, the abiding curse of the Army, and underestimating the will of a foe thought effectively beaten. Both Watch on the Rhine and the Tet Mon Tan actions would be failed at Leavenworth. Korea November 1950 was willful imprudence on the part of a commander who felt he could foretell the future. The Chinese offensive literally staggered the US military hierarchy to the extent both State and Defense were working themselves into a panic and were close to calling for an evacuation until Harry Truman apparently verbally told Acheson ‘Not only no, but Hell No.

87 posted on 12/20/2018 6:41:16 PM PST by robowombat (Orthodox)
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To: nopardons

you blasted this movie and said no based on reviews. now you say the opposite. WTH is your agenda besides uproar. I’m out. It’s a movie with a black guy in a supporting role. Deal with it cowboy.


88 posted on 12/20/2018 6:41:36 PM PST by morphing libertarian (Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
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To: yesthatjallen

It’s insulting


89 posted on 12/20/2018 7:01:48 PM PST by wardaddy (I don’t care that you’re not a racist......when the shooting starts it won’t matter what yo)
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To: morphing libertarian
Your reading comprehension level isn't all that high, I see.

I am NOT saying anything "opposite" at all. The movie isn't worth seeing, in my opinion; however, I said that if you want to waste you time and money on watching a crappy movie...do so.

There are many multiple other movies, some bad, some good, some in between ( the 1971 one, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Glenda Jackson is a much better one to see, though not completely accurate as it has Mary and Elizabeth meeting, which they didn't ! ) that deal with the Mary V Elizabeth stuff, with actors and actresses who don't mumble and better scripts.

No, I do NOT have to "deal" with ANYTHING, nor do I have to like nor accept stupid, PC, RACIST miscasting! And anyone who accepts this crap, is a fool!

90 posted on 12/20/2018 7:23:46 PM PST by nopardons
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To: wardaddy

It’s actually far worse than just “insulting”.


91 posted on 12/20/2018 7:25:02 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

Take your meds and get some sleep.


92 posted on 12/20/2018 7:28:50 PM PST by morphing libertarian (Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
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To: morphing libertarian

Stop doing illegal substances and get clean.


93 posted on 12/20/2018 7:50:16 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

suffering from “lastworditis” after running out of things to say.


94 posted on 12/20/2018 7:52:00 PM PST by morphing libertarian (Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now; build Kate's wall. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
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To: nopardons

When Hamilton was added to the show Turn, there was actually an article saying that fans of the stupid Broadway show might be surprised to see a white actor playing the role. WTF.


95 posted on 12/20/2018 7:54:12 PM PST by Rastus
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To: morphing libertarian
That's YOU; not me.

So just write "word" and I shan't reply; keep up the flame war, and it shan't.

96 posted on 12/20/2018 8:21:21 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Rastus
Yes, I know.

They also got into trouble when HAMILTON sent out a "casting call" and put a notice in the papers, saying ONLY non-whites need apply! Pure, unadulterated, unalloyed RACISM!

97 posted on 12/20/2018 8:23:03 PM PST by nopardons
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To: nopardons

Oh no, please have the last word. I don’t want to throw you off balance.


98 posted on 12/20/2018 8:26:42 PM PST by morphing libertarian (Use Comey's Report; Indict Hillary now; build Kate's wall. --- Proud Smelly Walmart Deplorable)
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To: Slyfox

Me too, as a fellow historian!


99 posted on 12/20/2018 8:34:33 PM PST by The Right Stuff
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To: yesthatjallen

In the BBC’s latest revival of The Three Musketeers, one of the Musketeers is black. And nobody bothers to mention it.

In 17th Century France. All the little Froggies ignore the fact that he is black.


100 posted on 12/20/2018 9:37:41 PM PST by Paal Gulli
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