STARZ Green Lights New Original Series BECOMING ELIZABETH From Award Winning Playwright and Screenwriter Anya Reiss

Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), has announced it has greenlit the series “Becoming Elizabeth,” created and written by award-winning playwright and television screenwriter Anya Reiss (Spur of the Moment, The Acid Test) who will executive produce with The Forge’s George Ormond (“National Treasure,” “Great Expectations”) and George Faber (“Shameless,” “Generation Kill”).

Reiss will serve as lead writer on the 8-episode season and be joined by an all-female writing team including Emily Ballou (“Traitors,” “Taboo,” “Humans”), Anna Jordan (“Succession”) and Suhayla El- Bushra (“Ackley Bridge,” “Hollyoaks”). 

“The world of ‘Becoming Elizabeth’ is visceral and dangerous - judgments are rendered quickly and no one is safe,” said Starz CEO Jeffrey A. Hirsch. “This series explores the Tudor Reign and young Elizabeth, who would become England’s ‘Gloriana’ and one of history’s most dynamic figures, through a new lens which we think viewers will find highly engaging.”

“Becoming Elizabeth” is the fascinating story of the early life of England’s most iconic Queen. Long before she ascended the throne, young Elizabeth Tudor was an orphaned teenager who became embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court. With no clear heir, the death of King Henry the VIII sets into motion a dangerous scramble for power. His surviving children find themselves pawns in a game between the great families of England and the powers of Europe who vie for control of the country.

Elizabeth struggles to control her own destiny and take real power as the men around her attempt to claim her sovereignty. Her fascinating and factual journey to secure the crown is filled with scheming, betrayal and illicit relationships that threaten to bring forth her demise at a time in which every man or woman of the court is on the wheel of fortune, which may take them to a position of great power one moment, or the executioner’s block the next.

“This is Elizabeth as you've never seen her before, a teenager finding her way in a treacherous world, and in Anya's hands she's a truly electrifying character,” said Ormond. “Starz immediately embraced the ambition and vision of the series and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with them on it.”

Reiss added, “Drama seems to skip straight from Henry VIII’s turnstile of wives to an adult white faced Gloriana. Missing out boy kings, religious fanatics, secret affairs and a young orphaned teenager trying to save herself from the vicious scramble to the top. I should have found it hard to relate to 500 year old royalty but Elizabeth lived in dangerous, polarising times and often made terrible hormone-fuelled decisions. I’ve found writing her story a thrilling experience.”

Senior Vice President of Original Programming Karen Bailey is the Starz executive in charge of “Becoming Elizabeth.”

About Starz
Starz, a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), is a leading global media and entertainment company that produces and distributes premium streaming content to worldwide audiences across subscription television platforms. Starz is home to the flagship domestic STARZ^® brand, STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels and the associated on-demand and online services, including the highly rated STARZ app. With the launch of the STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform and STARZ PLAY Arabia, Starz is expanding its global footprint in a growing number of territories. Sold through multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, telecommunications companies, and other online and digital platforms, Starz offers subscribers more than 7,500 distinct premium television episodes and feature films, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular programming.

About The Forge
The Forge, established by George Faber, is one of the UK’s preeminent drama producers, with a reputation for original, innovative and high-quality programming. The Forge’s production credits include Jack Thorne’s multi-BAFTA-winning trilogy NATIONAL TREASURE, KIRI  and THE ACCIDENT, Ayub Khan Din’s ACKLEY BRIDGE, Peter Moffat’s THE LAST POST, Jessie Burton’s THE MINIATURIST, David Hare’s COLLATERAL starring Carey Mulligan and Levi David Addai’s DARK MONEY. Currently in production is David Hare’s political thriller ROADKILL, a mini-series starring Hugh Laurie. Most recently greenlit is Ben Wheatley’s zombie comedy series GENERATION Z.