Female Rulers Reimagined in Film and Television – A Royal Studies Blog Roundtable (Part 1)

Female Rulers Reimagined in Film and Television – A Royal Studies Roundtable (Part 1)

In this first episode of a three-part series, members of the Royal Studies Blog team, Andrea McMillin, Kurtis Pope, and Elena Teibenbacher, come together for an in-depth roundtable exploring how female rulers are reinterpreted in modern popular culture. This opening discussion introduces the central theme of the series and examines how portrayals of queens and empresses have evolved on screen, from historical epics to satirical reimaginings. Together, the panel unpacks the delicate balance between authenticity and artistic license, questioning where historical accuracy ends and cultural storytelling begins.

Hosted by contributors to the Royal Studies Blog, a postgraduate-led platform that brings together emerging and established researchers to explore monarchy and its representations across time and media, this episode offers a lively and accessible gateway into the field of queenship studies.

Drawing on their academic expertise and personal passion for royal women, the panelists trace their own paths into this area, from early literary inspirations and family influences to gaming and media analysis. They debate the enduring appeal of historical fiction, the emotional power of costume and performance, and how figures such as Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, Marie Antoinette, and Himiko are re-cast to reflect modern social values. Across film and television, these queens emerge alternately as icons of empowerment, objects of desire, or political strategists  archetypes that mirror shifting cultural attitudes toward women and power.

The conversation also raises key questions about the ethics of storytelling in visual media. Can historical drama educate as well as entertain? Do inaccuracies matter if they spark curiosity and engagement with the past? From The Crown and The Great to The White Queen and Marie Antoinette, the speakers consider how contemporary creators navigate the tension between scholarship and spectacle. This episode sets the stage for the series’ next installments, which will move beyond the screen to explore representations of royal women in digital gaming and historical fiction.

Featured Media References
Films & Series Discussed: Cleopatra (1963), The Great, The Tudors, The White Queen, Marie Antoinette (2006 & 2022–25), The Crown, Himiko (1974), Tomb Raider (2018), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), The Virgin Queen (1955), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Bridgerton (Netflix).

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