Elizabeth: England, 1554. Under the rule of Queen Mary I, a zealous Catholic, England has been reduced to a country racked by financial and religious instability. Now close to death, Mary (Kathy Bourke) steps up her policy of prodestant repression. Even Princess Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett), her younger sister and heir apparent is in grave danger, but Mary's last ditch attempt to execute her for treason fails. Within days Mary is dead and Elizabeth is crowned Queen of England, but with enemies and rebellion continuing in her own council she is advised to hit back. She retaliates in a counter coup of immense ferocity, wiping out all opposition to her leadership. Her throne is finally secure. When Elizabeth next appears in public she has transformed herself into a legendary Virgin Queen, formidable, untouchable and unbeatable..

Elizabeth - The Golden Age: The story of one woman's crusade to control love, crush enemies and secure her position as a beloved icon of the western world. As her cousin Mary Stuart conspires with Philip of Spain to topple the throne, Elizabeth prepares to go to war to defend her empire.