The British Monarchy Timeline in Film & Television
I have such an interest in Royal Families - whether it be their centuries of history or immense collection of culture and customs. Even fictional monarchies like the Targaryens' - I just love the whole concept. If it was a crazy monarch, it's great for content. If it's a benevolent monarch, bless their soul and may they rest in piece. But no matter how you feel about the British Monarchy and the dark past, you cannot deny their place in our world's history, which has been well documented and dramatized in film and television.
So I did my best to research and provide a royal list of content should you seek such historical somewhat accurate information presented through entertainment.
House of Wessex - 519-1066
Later when I mention the Elizabethan Era, Mary Queen of Scots will be an important figure. Her lineage is traced to the House of Wessex, considered the oldest royal ancestry within Britain's lands to today's British Monarchy.
Alfred the Great is a notable member of the House & has been portrayed in 1969's Alfred the Great, The Last Kingdom, Vikings, & Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
Pippin
Charlemagne - the 8th Century
Charlemagne is considered to a common ancestor to literally all monarchs in existence today by blood or marriage or both. William I's wife is a direct descendant of Charlemagne, starting the new English Monarchy with a rich royal bloodline through his children.
He was the first recognized emperor after the fall of the West Roman Empire, which covered all of Europe & Britain for a long time. Charlemagne has surprisingly not been portrayed in Western entertainment, however the Broadway Musical, Pippin, is loosely based on his son.
Vikings
House Normandy- from 911 to 1066
Rollo, first ruler of the House Normandy, the Royal background of William the Conquerer. He can be seen a few times in the show, Vikings, & is also a character in Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
King & Conqueror
William I - the 11th Century
A brand new series with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William released in August & depicts William overthrowing Harold, ending his line & family's claim to throne. While there were many more English Kings before Harold, the modern monarchy has no ancestral ties to it.
William was succeeded by his sons, William II & Henry I.
Pillars of the Earth
Henry I - the 12th Century
Stephen I took over the thrown after Henry's passing since Henry's only legitimate son drowned at sea. Both Stephen & Henry are featured in the fictional history book & miniseries, Pillars of the Earth.
The Lion in Winter
Henry II - 12th Century
Henry's grandfathers were King Henry I of England & Fulk, King of Jerusalem. He took his rightful place as King after his cousin by marriage, Stephen.
The play, The Lion in Winter, has been adapted into film twice in 1968 & 2003, with Henry portrayed by Peter O'Toole & Patrick Stewart.
Robin Hood
King John - early 13th Century
This is THE King John from all the adaptions & depictions of the crazy tales of Robin Hood. His brother, King Richard I, is also featured. Take your pick. There are many versions out there. He's also the subject of Shakespeare's play, King John.
John would be succeeded by Henry III then his son, Edward I.
Outlaw King
King Edward I - 13th Century
Edward & his son are both featured in the film, Outlaw King. Edward I also serves as inspiration for Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones.
King Edward II - early 14th Century
He's the central subject of the play, Edward II, & appears in Shakespeare's Richard II. He's also a character in Braveheart, but no one seems to approve of that portrayal.
King Edward III - the Black Death
This is the King that reigned as the Bubonic Plague killed half of Europe. Edward is the subject of Shakespeare's play, Edward III & also appears in the series, World Without End.
King Henry IV - early 15th century
Edward III was succeeded by his grandson, Richard III, who was then overthrown by Edwards's other grandson, Henry IV.
Richard & Henry are the subjects of Shakespeare's plays, Richard III & Henry IV. Both have been portrayed on the stage for hundreds of years & featured in the show, An Age of Kings, & in the show, the Hollow Crown, in its first episodes.
The King
King Henry V - Hundred Years' War
Timothee Chalemet's portrayed this great military leader in 2019's The King. Henry is also the subject of Shakespeare's play, Henry V. He's been portrayed on the stage for hundreds of years & featured in the shows, An Age of Kings & the Hollow Crown.
King Henry VI - Wars of the Roses
Henry is the subject of Shakespeare's 2-part play, Henry VI. He's been portrayed on the stage for hundreds of years & featured in the shows, An Age of Kings & the Hollow Crown.
King Richard III - the 15th Century
Upon his father's death, Edward V was to take the throne. However, his uncle took control of the throne & is believed to be behind the disappearance & possible murders of Edward & his brother.
Richard is the subject of Shakespeare's play, Richard III, which was also adapted within An Age of Kings & the Hollow Crown series in its final season. His brother & nephews are also featured in the play.
Richard III was succeeded by Henry VII, a distant cousin who also shared Edward III as an ancestor & featured in the same play.
You could also just watch the Lion King. Mufasa dies, Simba disappeared. Scar takes the throne. Like that literally happened. Except Edward V wasn't eating bugs in the jungle with a pig & meerkat. Or was he? ...
King Henry VIII - the 16th Century
Henry was a very significant King mostly known for his many marriages. He has been portraying in The Spanish Princess, Anne of the Thousand Days, Henry VIII and his Six Wives, the Tudors, & Firebrand.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND SIX. An epic pop musical about all of Henry's wives. So iconic. Henry is also the subject of one of Shakespeare's final historical plays, Henry VIII.
Henry was succeeded by Edward VI, his son with "the only one he truly loved." And is actually THE prince in Mark Twain's Prince & the Pauper - or a fictionalized version of him.
Queen Mary I - THE Bloody Mary
Woman was obsessed with the Church & oversaw hundreds of executions in the name of God. Thus the name - Bloody Mary.
She obviously appears in films about her sister, who succeeded her. She can also be portrayed in The Tudors & Lady Jane.
Queen Elizabeth I - Her Own Era
Both being descendants of Henry VII, Elisabeth I & Mary Queen of Scots were kind of like the Cersei & Daenerys of their time. With Elizabeth as the Queen of England, & Mary the Queen of Scotland, there was a lot of tension & drama between the two and their stories were very much intertwined as their kingdoms combined.
The Elizabethan Era is also the home of great William Shakespeare, who I've mentioned several times before. He's as royal as any monarch at this point tbh.
Elizabeth's story, and much of Mary's story as well, can be seen in adaptions such as Young Bess, Becoming Elizabeth, The Virgin Queen, Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth & Elizabeth: the Golden Age, and 2005's Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth produced no heirs & was succeeded by her cousin & Mary's son, James.
King James I (or James IV) - Great Britain
James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. Mary was, of course, also intertwined in the story of her son prior to her execution. Both her & James appear in depictions in Gunpowder, Treason, & Plot, Reign, and Mary Queen of Scots with Saoirse Ronan.
Apparently James had gay lovers, so a win for Royal pride??? One of his relationships served as the premise for the miniseries, Mary & George. He was also the King during the Pocahontas era, so you may hear of him or get a cameo during films about her.
Also note November 5th is Bonfire Night in the UK - celebrating how James was not killed by a devilish traitor. Remember Cersei in the 6th season finale of Game of Thrones? Imagine that but it didn't work. But feel free to celebrate Bonfire Night with a different context for the LOLs 👀
King Charles I - the English Civil War
Several films & series depicting the English Civil War feature portrayals of the King, including Cromwell, By Sword Divided, & To Kill a King.
King Charles II - the 17th Century
Restoration - A Robert Downey Jr film with Sam Neill as Charles. Now that's a film I gotta check out! Charles II is featured in The Libertine, starring Johnny Depp with John Malkovich as Charles. The BBC also had a miniseries - Charles II: The Power and the Passion - depicting the king under the direction of Joe Wright.
Charles II would be succeeded by his brother. There are no extensive depictions of James II. He would be succeeded by his daughters, Mary & Anne.
The Favourite
Queen Anne - early 18th Century
LOVED this movie. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz gave compelling performances & were enjoyable to watch.
Queen Anne had no children survive to adulthood, only one even having a childhood. She'd be succeeded by cousins connected by their great-grandfather, James I.
Nothing on George I & not much George II unless you wanna count his segment on Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He'd be succeeded by his grandson, also named George, which......
Hamilton
King George III - the American Revolution
I'm a theater nerd & Jonathan Groff fangirl. Obviously this is my King George depiction of choice.
You can also view the 1994 drama, The Madness of King George, if you want a real deep dive into this crazy king.
His sons, George IV & William IV, had no surviving heirs & would be succeeded by their niece, Victoria. However, they should be remembered as the significant rulers of the Regency Era - an era with a huge fanbase thanks to Jane Austen & Bridgerton.
Queen Victoria - the 19th Century
Queen Victoria has been portrayed in many films. Many cameos in Sherlock Holmes adaptions. Portrayed at least twice by Dame Judi Dench in Mrs. Brown and Victoria & Abdul, both of which I recommend. Emily Blunt's portrayal in The Young Victoria shows the beginning of her reign. In addition to these 3 movies, I think the 2-part BBC miniseries, Victoria & Albert, covers much of her life & her marriage with Prince Albert.
Downton Abbey ???
Surprisingly not many films between Victoria & her great-grandson, George VI, with events like World War I & the fall of the Russian Royal Family during the reigns of his father & grandfather. His father, George V, was depicted in a fictional trip to Downton Abbey during the series 1st film.
The King's Speech
George VI - World War II
The King's Speech is a well acted film that pays tribute to a King who was thrust into the Crown when his brother so easily let it go right before the beginning of the end of the world.
The Crown
Queen Elizabeth II - 1947 to 2005
God Save the Queen. Imma be saying this until William takes reign, the prince that is promised. I stand in solidarity with Princess Diana. It should be her right now bruh. Also, I genuinely respect Queen Elizabeth II as a powerful leading woman, significant historical figure, and pop culture icon. She was NOT a colonizer. In fact, many colonies, if not all, gained independence and no new colonies were established under her reign.
Anyways. Seeing her life so well portrayed by an amazing cast and script was a wonderful experience and I'm glad to have watched the show in it's entirety.
Also - this is purposely posted on Her Majesty's 100th birthday. So it's a great day to specifically recommend the Crown should you be in need of a good historical drama series. This is for you!