BBC Two and iPlayer have commissioned Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy, a six part factual series produced by 72 Films, a Fremantle company. The series was announced during the Spotlight on the BBC session at the Edinburgh TV Festival. Fremantle holds the international distribution rights for the production.
The 6x60 minute series covers the period between 1066 and 1216. The narrative focuses on the Norman conquest, starting with William the Conqueror and concluding with King John and the Magna Carta. The production uses cinematic drama and graphics alongside contributions from historians to detail the transformation of England into a state. The content focuses on five generations of the royal family and the concentration of authority within the absolute monarchy.
Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, commissioned the series. Simon Young, Head of History Commissioning, serves as the commissioning editor. The executive producers are Rob Coldstream and David Glover. Simon Young noted the timing of the commission coincides with the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain.
The series examines the foundation of the modern British monarchy through a family saga of power and betrayal. It utilizes a factual approach to depict the struggle for authority within the kingdom across several centuries. The production is a 6x60 minute series for BBC Two and iPlayer.