The White Princess (2017) User Reviews

descend into hell

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 9 December 2019]

It's 1485 England. Henry VII returns home after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. It's the last battle in the War of the Roses. Henry and his mother Margaret Beaufort are constantly fighting off nascent rebellion from the remaining House of York. He is forced to marry York princess Lizzie to combine the two houses. Lizzie's mother, the Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville, is confined but continues to ferment rebellion with the help of Lizzie's aunt Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy. Lizzie's cousin Maggie is desperate to free her mentally-handicapped brother Teddy who has a righteous claim to the throne. Prince Richard comes back from the grave to lay claim to the throne.

This is a movie of evil triumph over good. It's the slow descend of Lizzie into hell. That can be unappealing to watch. It isn't for everyone. The acting is impeccable. The issue of historical accuracy is fair but ultimately besides the point. This is fictional historical drama and quite frankly, the show posts the warning after every episode. This is a terrific character study above all.

Jodie Comer is a star

[cshine18 · 9/10 · 29 July 2018]

I normally wouldn't write a review for this, but seeing so many negative reviews I felt compelled to. So many of those reviews are about how The White Queen was great and this didn't live up to it, but I feel the compete opposite. I found The White Queen rather boring and frankly just hard to even get through. I thought The White Princess was much better and although only filmed several years after, it has a much more modern feel to it, as far as production quality goes. I can't speak to the historical accuracy, but I really liked the storyline. To be fair, I am a big Jodie Comer fan, so I'm definitely a little biased, but I thoroughly enjoyed The White Princess a lot.

If you are starting this after The White Queen...

[gnaqgxy · 8/10 · 5 January 2021]

... get past the first episode, and it's worth it. The first episode was corny, and all the actors being different from TWQ made it seem awkward. I did not like the Princess Elizabeth they cast for this show for a couple of episodes, but after finishing the series, I really admire the actress. Dowager Queen Elizabeth cast in this series does not hold a candle to the Dowager Queen Elizabeth in TWQ.

Minus one star for fumble of a pilot; minus one star for Dowager Queen Elizabeth. They definitely should have brought back the original actress. The only original actor from the original series is Duchess Cecily, King Edward's grumpy Lady Mother.

It is *not* The White Queen, but it's still a good series. Just a corny pilot. I promise, the acting improves 100%.

Historical accuracy it is not, but still very worth watching

[MiketheWhistle · 9/10 · 17 June 2019]

I started watching the Spanish Princess which led me to watch the White Princess and continuing out of order on to watch the White Queen. Watching it made me read extensively about the War of the Roses and Henry VII as king. Historically, as the series states, has been changed for dramatic purposes which is a bit of a shame because history itself is very interesting. Some of the dramatizations make relative sense, while other alterations simply are unneeded. I won't give specifics so as to give spoilers, and the internet makes it easy enough to research the accurate stories. The sets, costumes, and acting are all excellent. So just accept that extensive liberties are taken, and enjoy.

Involving and visually attractive period-drama.

[johannes2000-1 · 9/10 · 31 January 2022]

Many reviewers here have elaborately pointed out that those other series The White Queen and The Spanish Princess, both more or less depicting the same historical characters, were either a better or a worse watch than this one. Well, if you care to judge The White Princess for it's own merits, you get to enjoy a very thrilling history-based story, full of love and hate, romance, treason, battles and executions, along with the visual splendor of sumptuous costumes and some impressive settings. The writers (basing themselves on Philippa Gregory's novels) focussed mainly on the challenges that the pretenders caused Henry VII and his queen and realm, which is more than enough to fill all 8 episodes with well paced and involving drama.

The acting of virtually all characters is spotless, up to the smallest parts. But especially Jodie Comer as the guilt-ridden queen "Lizzie" of York, torn between loyalty to her family and loyalty to her her husband, does a marvelous job. And Michelle Fairly is absolutely formidable as the manipulative and scheming Lady Margaret Beaufort.

Not as good as The White Queen

[Freedom060286 · 7/10 · 25 October 2017]

This series strays farther from real history than it's predecessor The White Queen, and is generally not as well-written.

Every single major character in this series really existed. But there are many historical inaccuracies, including some that are very degrading to the memory of real historical people.

1) Henry VII is seen choking and striking his mother, but in reality he was very devoted to her and would never harm her.

2) Perkin Warbeck and Margaret Gordon's baby is murdered on the order of Margaret Beaufort, but there is no historical record of the couple having had a baby.

3) The incest between Richard III and Lizzie which is frequently mentioned (especially in the first episode) very likely never happened. It is extremely unlikely that Elizabeth of York was in love with her uncle.

4) Margaret Beaufort, a very pious woman, never murdered Jasper Tudor by suffocating him with a pillow. He died of natural causes in his 60s.

5) The boy Henry VIII has a ceremony interrupted by Elizabeth Woodville as he is named Duke of York, but this ceremony took place years after Elizabeth died in 1492. Henry was just one year old when she died.

6) The Duchess of Burgundy was not arrested in London, it is very unlikely she was there at all when Warbeck was imprisoned and even more unlikely that Margaret Pole was delivering letters to her to aid in a revolt.

7) Warbeck and Edward were not executed on the same day.

8) Elizabeth of York was not much involved in politics, and was very likely much a less assertive person.

I've come to expect historical inaccuracies in movies and TV programs, but 1) to 4) listed above add nothing positive to the drama and in fact make it less realistic and less interesting.

On the positive side, the cast performed very well. Jodie Comer, Jacob Collins-Levy, Essie Davis, Caroline Goodall, Rebecca Benson and Michelle Fairley perform very well. And one of my favorite actors, Vincent Regan, was the perfect person to play Jasper Tudor.

Phenomenal!

[juliafrizzell · 9/10 · 30 December 2021]

Wow. What a treasure of talent, dynamic plots and exquisite costuming! It was a thrill to watch and so incredibly well done, I couldn't stop watching!

Perfect cast, great storytelling with wonderful direction. The cinematography was so realistic and the evolution of costuming, almost mirroring the evolution of each character, was simply perfect.

I definitely recommend! Well done, indeed!

Better than the Spanish princess by far.

[roxmewild · 7/10 · 7 November 2020]

I started to watch this after viewing the Spanish princess in hindsight would probably storywise been better the other way round . This is by no means a great representation of an accurate historical drama and in honesty there is a lot simlair both in production and setting as the Spanish princess to the point I must look up writers and location to see if they are the same.

The biggest difference in this production is the actors who for me are far superior and better suited than those of the Spanish princess which makes the series a lot more enjoyable a watch. Jodie Comer surprised me of how good she was in a period drama .

So far, intend to watch entire season, only "spoiled" if from first episodes

[vicki-79607 · 8/10 · 8 May 2017]

I am just a wife and mother who doesn't watch much TV in the first place, outside of the occasional sports, news, cooking shows and Parks and Recreation. Oh, and the On Demand movie section, which is how I stumbled onto this series.

I really like how Elizabeth of York's perspective changed after she had a baby and became Queen. I like the way her and the King have a meeting of the minds at times, towards fighting the overbearing, manipulative, and opposing influences of the seemingly evil mother-in-laws! I am rooting for the "love story against all odds" part of the show, though probably will be disappointed per the direction soap operas usually go. I like Jasper's character, and the actor who plays him, and hope they allow him to find happiness with a deserving lady.

It doesn't matter much to me how the facts do, or do not, line up with history, or the books. It's nice to escape into a fantasy world each week, without the typical raunchy or gory scenes that cause me to turn my head or close my eyes. I am not a total prude, but confess I would choose "Ever After" with Drew B. over "Game of Thrones" (which I never watched, but have heard plenty). As far as I'm concerned there's enough vivid presentation of violence and depravity in real life and most movies, that I don't additionally desire this from a little weekly show I can watch over dinner. I don't judge this script and the acting too harshly as it meets my expectation from a commercial free cable TV show.

I apologize in advance to all the professional critics, along with those who read the books behind these shows, as you guys are probably cringing at this review right now. Just wanted to provide a different, and maybe typical perspective of a person like me, who spends more time watching "You Tube" and Disney flicks, than TV, but continues to subscribe to, and faithfully pay their cable bill every month even on a very tight budget. This review will not pressure the creators to do a better job I know, but to me, this particular series though evidently on a low budget, is better than nothing at all.

Worth your time if you are a Jodie Comer fan and enjoy period dramas .

[robfollower · 7/10 · 9 April 2019]

Season 1 of the historical fiction series based on a novel by Philippa Gregory follows the events that took place in the miniseries "The White Queen." After defeating Richard III, King Henry Tudor (Jacob Collins-Levy) marries Elizabeth of York (Jodie Comer) as a way to unify the kingdom; however, the two hate each other due to personal and political differences. As Henry tries to do what's good for his people and make the marriage work, "Lizzie" conspires with her mother Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville (Essie Davis) to dethrone the Tudors. When Prince Arthur is born, his two parents find common ground and might decide to work together, much to the dismay of both their houses.

Like Gregory's novels, the series excels in its authentic portrayal of its characters, particularly the women. Jodie Comer is a star. If you like British royal history dramas (and there are quite a few to choose from at this point), The White Princess will prove itself entertaining.

Strange plots and stranger loves....

[robertemerald · 8/10 · 31 December 2017]

I thought this was better than The White Queen. I noticed it was a Starz production and so far I've liked their work. This is a little less ambitious. This is based on a good book rather than history itself, but having said that, the show did manage to have an actor that actually resembled Henry VII, which for me was just enough to be persuaded to be embroiled. And the plot is embroiling, and, in regard to history, the plot only really takes license from those facts that even history is still wondering. That's a winner for me.

It's a lavish, intense, psychological drama with the ever present violence of the day hanging over all, brilliantly acted with perfect costumes and excellent production.

Nitpicking ...... I docked The White Princess two points for the rather sparse and cavalier manner of the street processions. In history these processions have far greater pomp and cast. Like The White Queen, both shows needed to up the grandeur. The battle scenes however were historically much better.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

The white princess

[scntyguy · 7/10 · 28 September 2020]

This mini series would have been better if they had used the same actors from the mini series The White Queen to play their parts in this mini series! What would have been the reason to use an entire new cast of actors?

Why change history ?

[kerrysimpson-62755 · 5/10 · 1 June 2020]

I love historical dramas but they just played with history way too much in this one. I gave it 5 stars purely because of Jodie Comer.. she is a very versatile and talented actress.

Pilot

[eisesd · 10/10 · 19 April 2017]

I watched the White Queen and loved it. The White Princess first episode was very enjoyable and picked up where the the White Queen ended perhaps you should watch the White Queen first . The acting was very good and I'm looking forward to the next week. I can't wait too see in what direction they will go I went back and read about the Tudors to get some background info I was not expecting the show to be all factual.

Grey characters in a fascinating story

[hannahmith · 9/10 · 2 October 2018]

I didn't watch the The White Queen, and I haven't read the book either nor do I actually care a great deal about the Tudors or the english monarchy in its more personal details. I would go so far as to say that I tend to dislike many shows in this genre because I feel like they romanticize the monarchy or use it as a decorative backdrop for some saucy love story.

Anyway, that being said, I did enjoy this, although it's far from perfect with regards to story telling. It is clearly not historically accurate, but I never once thought it would be. There are some jumps in character development that could have been smoothed over, especially with Lizzie - I definitely had to adjust a little when she suddenly turned from loyal York who planned against her husband to a loving mother and therefore devoted wife. It's not implausible, though. I had more trouble to understand why Margaret Beaufort would be so afraid of her son finding out that she ordered the murder of the two princes in the tower. The way Henry Tudor is portrayed, having beaten to death the previous king to take the crown, it seems like he might support that decision - until the plot need it to become a huge moral dilemma in the last episode.

The production value also isn't fantastic - I think? Who actually cares about that as long as the story works? Some of the actors are not great, but Michelle Fairley is wonderful as always, it's a great role for her.

What I did like, however, and why I am rating it so highly, is that it is absolutely not the kind of story we are used to. I read a couple of reviews where people complained that the characters were not sympathetic. This is exactly what I love about it. This show is about a bunch of people will do anything to stay in or obtain power, and the lies they tell each other and themselves to justifiy their actions. Margaret Pole is maybe shown to be the most sympathetic, but even she neglects her own child in the end to try and save her brother. Lizzie especially is a great example that there are no good choices in a world where power is passed on along bloodlines, meaning that the only way to stay in power is to kill anyone who might have a better claim than you.

When I started watching, I was very worried that this was going to be a show about two star crossed lovers and their meddling mothers trying to play them against each other, but in the end true love prevails and they come together for the good of the country. I was glad to be wrong. Yes, Lizzie and Henry do find love, but it is hard earned and bought by time, their love for their children and the crimes they comitted together. I can totally see someone like Henry VIII coming from these parents and circumstances.

In conclusion, this is not for people who care about historical accuracy or want to see good people overcome obstacles and grow together, or a good vs. evil type story. If you like Game of Thrones, this may be your cup of tea. It's a pretty ugly story at times about some despicable people, but if you are a bit forgiving of it's rough aroung the edges story-telling, it's actually quite fascinating.

Not bad, but ultimately unsatisfying

[sc_mackinnon · 6/10 · 20 May 2017]

Miniseries like these just chap my hide. They take a fascinating subject and period ---and then proceed to take pointless, unnecessary liberties with it. This is not historically accurate. The acting isn't bad, but the plot and progression get a bit choppy.

This is little more than a medieval soap opera. Henry VII was a helluva character in real life - -why spoil it? This miniseries fails to address his good works, as well as his fall into corruption and detachment as his reign went on.

If you're into old Dynasty or Dallas style shows, this is for you. But if you're a history buff like me, skip it, unless it's a really rainy day and you're looking to kill time.

A good, relaxing movie with traces of history

[ssra_25 · 10/10 · 30 June 2017]

1. The cast was great (particularly Jodie Comer and Michelle Fairley);

2. There are some clichés yes, but they are well presented and they warm your heart in a story which, in the absence of romance, would only be about plotting, war and politics. Besides, Elizabeth and Henry loved each other in real life as well, so I fail to see where the problems lies;

3. The story is pretty good and the main story-line respects history...for the most part at least. There are, of course, inconsistencies, which is normall since this is not a documentary. So when it comes to little details (e.g. conversations, emotional reactions) don't expect 100% historical accuracy. No script can possibly be 100% historically accurate due to the lack of historical information. I thought I should mention this because some people complained about that aspect. Having such an expectation is completely unrealistic. And for the record, The Tudors weren't 100% historically accurate either. Neither was Rome, Kingdom of Heaven and not even Band of Brothers.

The one thing that I did not particularly like is that the Elizabeth of York shown, differs in some ways from what is historically known.

All-in-all, I recommend this show, especially as a follow-up to The White Queen. However, I for one liked The White Princess more due to the cast. And I'm sorry to see the show won't be renewed. Thank God we have like a zillion cop movies out there... :( (yes, it's an irony).

I can't believe I watched the whole thing

[LauraAnnG · 4 June 2017]

I knew going in that I probably wouldn't like this. I mean I love historical dramas, and am interested in English history. I'm a fan of Shakespeare.

But I don't like Gregory's books. I find them dark, dank and depressing.

And basically this series is the same thing. Totally depressing.

The main problem is that this is one of those shows where there is not a single likable character. Zero. Zilch. There's no one I identify with (thank God!), no one who I sympathize or empathize with. They are all equally awful, terrible, dreadful people.

Henry VII is a whiny wimp.

His wife "Lizzie" has nothing good about her.

Jasper Tudor is pathetic.

And then there's Henry's mother... O.M.G.

etc., etc.

I usually try to say something positive... you know. If nothing else at least there were artistic people creating *something* but... but... this would've been better left unmade.

It's not just that I want those 8 hours back. It's that I want to unsee much of what I watched.

And yet... And yet... I did watch. I watched all eight episodes. "What is wrong with you?" you might ask. Heaven knows. Maybe I was holding out for something redeeming to come from this. But it doesn't. There's simply nothing good to say about it.

Nothing. I don't recommend it. Do something better with your time like wash dishes or do the laundry. Or maybe read G.J. Meyer's excellent "The Tudors: The Complete Story of England's Most Notorious Dynasty" if you really are interested in Henry Tudor.

Not beautiful as The White Queen

[chiaragiacobelli · 7/10 · 26 September 2018]

Probably the majority of people interested in this series has already seen "The quite queen", being this a sort of sequel. But the quality of the entire series is really much lower than the other: actors, scenes, film script, photography and set are not comparable. I was disappointed by this sequel and I don't think it represents the real characters in a good way. It could have been done much better!

An Absolute Delight!

[armeniadiaspora · 10/10 · 18 April 2017]

I'm rating this so highly (10 stars!) because I feel it is deserving of the highest praise.This tastes like a movie and it is a masterpiece .I wish to commend the cast and crew at bringing this to screen in such a grand and epic way. Jodie Comer is the perfect Princess Elizabeth. If I were in casting, she is the actress that would have been my number 1 pick. She is the main reason why I really love this TV series at the first place. I highly recommend it .

Not bad

[manakazerani · 7/10 · 20 June 2020]

It was really boring at the end and it wasnt truly showing the love king had for Elizabeth which you read in history

IMO better than TWQ

[boudicea1967 · 9/10 · 13 May 2017]

It seems that some are comparing TWP to TWQ which hardly seems fair given that they are two different stories. Both were good however TWP is a bit better. From the Pilot episode where there is much hostility between Lizzie and Henry most likely due to their mother's involvement than there own to the fourth so far, it seems to be more historically accurate than the novel. The two actors playing the two leads have a very good chemistry between them as do the rival mothers. Even "enemies" can have great chemistry and I have always liked both Essie Davis and Michelle Fairley, splendid actresses in their own right, and though they do not have a lot of scenes together makes it even more electrifying. The acting is very genuine as it can be very difficult for period films and series and all of them, leading and supporting cast do an excellent job in illustrating how complicated the politics of the time were. However, I must give the most credit to Jodie Comer and Jacob Collins-Levy for their portrayal of Henry and Elizabeth "Lizzie." What I like the most is how both seem to have started out bitter and slowly have developed a mutual respect and liking, caring and a devotion and love of each other and recognizing how both their lives have been manipulated by their mothers and how each have distanced themselves from them and relied on each other. The historical accuracy is excellent so far. Though it was an arranged marriage, historically speaking they were rather devoted to each other and there was a genuine love between them. She was a "dutiful" wife yet Henry did see the wisdom in her because she brought that to his reign which he seemed to value very much. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in this period in history.

Well made period piece

[stephenwhitworth-26755 · 7/10 · 2 June 2020]

There are just so many of them around and this just did not do something extra albeit it was made from a female point of view showing the Queens very clear and growing influence over a weak King. Unfortunate they did not let the Queen be Head if State in those days ! It was a great and believable performance by Jody Comer and we hear on the grapevine she enjoyed making it a lot . It shows . An up and coming British Actress of whom we can all be proud.

I love Jodie Comer but....

[spinbunny · 5/10 · 6 July 2020]

This is not good...at least compared to The White Queen. Without Amanda Hale as the almost-possessed-borderline--crazy Margaret Beaufort played by Amanda Hale, or Rebecca Ferguson (who went onto MUCH bigger things) it is just middling. If you have seen The White Queen, you won't like it much (5/10) but if you have NOT, you might give it an 8 or 9/10. I am the former.

Entertaining period piece!

[samdoan · 10/10 · 15 June 2019]

Watching this straight after the amazing show 'The White Queen' is incredibly refreshing. Watching The White Princess surprised me a lot because I found it to be better than White Queen actually. The production, the costumes and the cinematography are a definite plus this time around, but what I liked more was the pacing. The story seems to move at a much faster and more compelling pace than its predecessor (which I still love). I wasn't sure at first about the re-casting of the characters, but these new actors are so amazing that I can simply forget about the fact that they re-casted them. The politics, the intrigue and the scheming is all there to create a satisfying and entertaining period drama!