It's bloody, sexy and features a cast of strong, power driven woman and, no, it's not HBO's Game of Thrones.

The BBC's The White Queen made its American debut last weekend on Starz with the first installment in the 10-piece series. While the title may elicit references to The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, the new period drama is set in 15th century England instead of the wide expanses of Narnia.

An adaptation of Philippa Gregory's series The Cousins' War, the drama opens during the struggle for the kingship during the War of the Roses. While the red-rose Lancasters seek to lead with Henry VI on the throne, the white-rose Yorks look to install Edward IV (Max Irons) in the same position. As war spreads across the country, there are three women who are embroiled in battles of their own as they seek to capture or maintain status.

Enter Elizabeth Woodville (Rebecca Ferguson), Anne Neville (Faye Marsay), Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale). The Lancaster aligned Elizabeth catches the eye of Edward IV on his way to battle and he then takes her as his wife. Meanwhile, Anne is a youngster married to Richard III of the House of York and Margaret is the mother of the future Tudor King Henry VII. Throw in a dash of magic and prophetic visions, and the war is ready to go.

"It's a story that we really hadn't seen, women vying for power in a time and place where power wasn't available to them," said Starz managing director of original programming, Carmi Zlotnik, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The White Queen airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. on Starz.

 

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