Description Helen Mirren is said to be the only actress to play both Queen Elizabeths. Elizabeth exploited divisions among all her advisors and subjects to help fend off the marriage problem. All agreed she should marry, but they could never agree on whom. Elizabeth thought of marrying her pal from childhood, who was also a fellow prisoner when she was in the Tower-- Dudley, Earl of Leicester. But Cecil's strong opposition to it meant her kingdom could be torn apart. The relationship eventually evolved into the very close and warm freindship shown here, some twenty years later. The suggestion of sex kept intrigue and complications flowing in court and in his marriage--to her design and favor. Helen Mirren ... Queen Elizabeth I Jeremy Irons ... Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester Patrick Malahide ... Sir Francis Walsingham Ian McDiarmid ... William Cecil, Lord Burghley Toby Salaman ... Dr. Lopez Elizabeth I (2005) (TV) Directed by Tom Hooper (who worked with Mirren on "Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness") Written by Nigel Williams
