Sadly, there is no next episode of Becoming Elizabeth. The series was officially cancelled by Starz in November 2022 after one season. While fans hoped for a continuation of young Elizabeth Tudor’s tumultuous story, the show’s journey ended after its initial eight episodes.
The Cancellation Shock: Why No Season Two?
The cancellation of Becoming Elizabeth came as a surprise to many viewers who were captivated by its lavish production, compelling performances, and historically rich narrative. Despite critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, the show didn’t achieve the viewership numbers required to justify a second season. Several factors likely contributed to this decision:
- Competition in the Historical Drama Genre: The television landscape is saturated with historical dramas, many with established fan bases. Becoming Elizabeth faced stiff competition from shows like The Crown, The Tudors, and Reign.
- Streaming Wars and Budget Constraints: The increasing competition among streaming services has led to heightened scrutiny of viewership and budget allocation. Starz, like other platforms, must carefully consider which shows to invest in.
- Historical Accuracy Debates: While praised for its overall production quality, some historians and viewers raised concerns about the show’s interpretation of historical events and characters. These debates might have impacted wider audience acceptance.
- Nielsen Ratings: Television networks often make decisions based on Nielsen ratings, which tracks viewership numbers. Becoming Elizabeth may not have consistently hit its target audience in a way that could warrant a renewal.
The Legacy of Becoming Elizabeth
Although short-lived, Becoming Elizabeth left a significant mark on the historical drama genre. It offered a fresh perspective on the formative years of Elizabeth Tudor, emphasizing the political machinations, personal struggles, and inherent dangers she faced as a young woman navigating the treacherous Tudor court. The show’s success lay in its ability to blend historical accuracy with compelling storytelling, creating a captivating and visually stunning portrayal of a pivotal period in English history. The series provided a platform for talented actors like Alicia von Rittberg, who delivered a powerful and nuanced performance as the young Elizabeth.
The Show’s Impact on Popular Culture
Despite its cancellation, Becoming Elizabeth has had a lasting impact on popular culture.
- Renewed Interest in Tudor History: The show sparked renewed interest in the Tudor era, encouraging viewers to delve deeper into the lives and times of Elizabeth I and her contemporaries.
- Female-Centric Historical Narratives: Becoming Elizabeth contributed to the growing trend of female-centric historical narratives, offering a more nuanced and empowering perspective on historical events.
- Influence on Costume Design: The show’s exquisite costume design influenced fashion trends and inspired a greater appreciation for historical clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Becoming Elizabeth and its cancellation:
1. Is there any chance Becoming Elizabeth will be picked up by another network?
While highly unlikely, it’s not entirely impossible. If there’s significant public demand and another network or streaming service sees potential in the show, they might consider reviving it. However, the longer the show remains cancelled, the lower the chances of a revival become due to contract obligations and cast availability. Currently, no network or streaming service has expressed public interest in picking up Becoming Elizabeth.
2. What was the storyline planned for Season Two?
The writers had envisioned Season Two covering the early years of Elizabeth’s reign, focusing on the challenges she faced as a young queen, the political conspiracies surrounding her, and her complex relationships with key figures like Robert Dudley. The season would likely have explored the religious tensions of the time and Elizabeth’s struggle to maintain stability in a divided nation. No confirmed storylines have ever been officially released, but we can assume from where Season One left off that the show would continue exploring Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne and the challenges associated with the same.
3. Where can I watch Becoming Elizabeth?
Becoming Elizabeth is available to stream on Starz and through services that offer Starz as an add-on, such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. You can also purchase or rent the series on platforms like Apple TV and Google Play.
4. Who were the main cast members in Becoming Elizabeth?
The main cast included:
- Alicia von Rittberg as Elizabeth Tudor
- Romola Garai as Mary Tudor
- Oliver Zetterström as Edward VI
- Jamie Blackley as Robert Dudley
- Alexandra Gilbreath as Kat Ashley
5. Are there any spin-offs or related shows planned?
As of now, there are no confirmed spin-offs or related shows planned. However, the popularity of Tudor-era dramas suggests that more shows exploring this period could be developed in the future.
6. What historical inaccuracies were present in the show?
As with any historical drama, Becoming Elizabeth took certain liberties with historical accuracy for dramatic purposes. Some historians pointed out discrepancies in the portrayal of certain characters and the timeline of events. However, the show was generally praised for its overall adherence to historical facts. Historians debated the degree of Robert Dudley’s and Elizabeth’s intimacy, with the series leaning more towards this affair than historical records fully corroborate.
7. How historically accurate were the costumes in Becoming Elizabeth?
The costumes in Becoming Elizabeth were meticulously researched and designed to reflect the fashion of the Tudor era. The show’s costume designers consulted with historians and period experts to ensure that the costumes were as accurate as possible, although some alterations were made for aesthetic reasons.
8. What are some other historical dramas similar to Becoming Elizabeth?
If you enjoyed Becoming Elizabeth, you might also like:
- The Crown (Netflix)
- The Tudors (Showtime)
- Reign (The CW)
- Mary Queen of Scots (Film)
- Elizabeth (Film)
9. Was the show filmed on location in England?
While some scenes were filmed in England, the production also utilized studio sets and other locations to recreate the Tudor court. Filming locations included Bristol and Wells, England.
10. Did Alicia von Rittberg receive any awards or nominations for her performance in Becoming Elizabeth?
While Alicia von Rittberg’s performance was widely praised, she did not receive any major awards or nominations for her role in Becoming Elizabeth. However, the show itself was nominated for several awards for its costume design and cinematography.
11. What were the critical reviews of Becoming Elizabeth like?
Becoming Elizabeth received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its lavish production, strong performances, and compelling storytelling. Some critics found the pacing to be slow at times, but overall, the show was well-received. Critics particularly celebrated Alicia von Rittberg’s captivating performance as the young Elizabeth.
12. Will there ever be a movie continuation of the series?
As of now, there are no plans for a movie continuation of Becoming Elizabeth. The cancellation of the series makes a movie adaptation unlikely, but fans can always hope for a future revival in some form. It is important to follow Starz news for future announcements.