Everyone is talking about the BBC’s new Wars of the Roses drama, The White Queen.

It’s all outrageous flirting and preposterous plots, all of which are (kind of) historically accurate.

It’s like exam revision with The Sopranos thrown in.

In the June issue of ELLE, we brought you an exclusive shoot and interview with the White Queen herself, Rebecca Ferguson. We predict big things for the half-Swedish actress.

Here are 5 reasons we’re tuning in:

1 - No dragons

is a beautiful riot but those ridiculous names! That massive wall! Those mythical beasts! White Queen is Thrones without the Tolkein.

2 - Rebecca Ferguson

Not the singer but a newcomer who shimmers like a young Cate Blanchett. Her ‘roadside strumpet’ trapping of king Edward was like in a wimple. A star is born.

3 - The simmering medieval sexual chemistry

Helped on its way by a wardrobe that owes more than a little to the catwalk. Max Irons’ outfits looks like they've been heavily influenced by the Men’s Collections.

4 - Janet McTeer’s scheming sorceress mother Jacquetta

The finest baddie-in-a-castle since Alan Rickman’s sheriff of Nottingham. From the drubbings she dishes out to a loony lottery game of threads in a pond, McTeer camps it up with deadpan finesse.

5 - Ludicrous dialogue bingo

Ten points for each Mill & Boon spot:

‘I am as lucky in war as I am in love.’

‘I have a longing for you…’

‘So is this love? This what it feels like?’

‘I have to have you and if you will not be my mistress then you must marry me.’

You’re welcome.

The White Queen is on BBC1 on Sunday nights at 9pm

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