Long before George R.R. Martin dreamed of Westeros, there was a very real medieval family feud between the King and his noble houses. This civil war came complete with brutal executions, family betrayal, and knights in shiny plate armor fighting to see who’s oath was the strongest. It was the 15th century, the land was Britannia, and the conflict was The Wars of the Roses.

Quoted by GRRM himself as his direct inspiration for the stories told in HBO’s Game of Thrones / House of the Dragon, The Wars of the Roses were a series of English civil wars fought between 2 warring houses after the badges they wore – the red rose of House Lancaster and the white rose of House York.

What were the Wars of the Roses?

In a sentence, a fued between noble houses over a crisis of succession that spiraled out of control until both families were left without a single male heir. This would ultimately lead to a new house – the Tudors taking the throne, ultimately paving the way for Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, and Queen Elizabeth to blaze their own trials as the new monarchs of England.

For a not-so-brief history of this conflict, the best military history nerds on YouTube, Kings and Generals, have you covered:

Our Pitch

This conflict was George R.R. Martin‘s main inspiration for his A Song of Ice and Fire novels. With the adapted Game of Thrones series wrapped up and the prequel, House of the Dragon, receiving high Praise, we feel it’s time to pitch our idea for who we would like to see cast in a dedicated Wars of the Roses series – “Bloody Roses”.

Characters

It is important to stress that this show has numerous complex figures. While all of them will make up the central cast, non of them will be the main protagonist. Instead, this series is more like the Last Kingdom, or Rome where the main character (perhaps a minor noble) struggles to navigate through England’s corrupt politics of the Lancastrian court. This character is an amalgamation of several Nobles who often switched loyalties to each party.

Royal court/house politics are very much in the foreground of this conflict. Specifically, the politics around Queen Margaret of Anjou and her supporters who rule over a weak-minded king. Her character will serve her faction well – but despises it.

At the same time the King’s advisor and friend, Richard of York, has worked tirelessly to undermine the corrupt efforts of the Queen’s party.

Richard is something of the historical Ned Stark I won’t be following the same formally as he’s more of the antagonist of the leads story only to be betrayed and killed leading to his son Edward to rise up and take his place.

At the same time, another major subplot follows a teenage Margaret Beaufort, a descendent of Lancaster Royalty, who will struggle to support her only son, a soon-to-be Henry VII, as a potential heir to the throne.

Our Dreamcast

Margaret Of Anjou – Eva Green

Behind many wars fought by men, there are also a number of powerful and terrible women. Among them would be Queen Margaret of Anjou. Essentially the real-life Cersei Lannister, Margaret leads the Lancastrian party while her weak-willed husband reads and prays. 

She may have to wear a blonde wig, but Eva Green was born to play scheming royals when you see her performances in projects like Camelot and Penny Dreadful.

Richard of York – Richard Armitage

Richard of York was the King’s longtime friend and advisor. As King Henry’s mental health declined, it triggered a massive power struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster. This role requires an actor with a gruff exterior but also has ambition, as his family had an equal claim to the throne, and the King has yet to provide a viable heir. Richard of York is equally ambitious, desiring to see the strong-willed Yorks remove the Lancaster’s influence on the king and likewise see his sons ascend. 

Edward IV – Dan Stevens

At the Age of 20, Edward of York would avenge his father’s death and defeat the Lancaster army at the Battle of Towton, becoming the first King from the House of York. Edward Is recorded as a handsome, highly capable warrior. Like his Game of Thrones counterpart, Robb Stark, he was often shortsighted when it came to his marriage choices, which would ultimately start another war.

He would be a great character introduced at the beginning of season 2, bent on avenging his father. 

Richard Neville, “The Kingmaker” – Julian Richings

Earl Richard Neville of Warwick is known to history as “The Kingmaker”. He was the richest man in England whose power and influence helped a great deal in Edwards IV’s ascension to the thrown. However, his loyalty to the Yorks wavered when Edward backed out of an arranged marriage agreement brokered between the king and a french princess.

When it seemed clear that Edward would no longer follow his advice, The Kingmaker sought to secure his power by secretly switching sides with the Lancasters. He successfully removed Edward and briefly restored Henry on the throne. Eventually, Edward was able to raise a new army and defeat The Kingmaker at the Battle of Barnet.

George, Duke of Clarence – Nicholas Hoult

George was the middle brother of Edward IV, who was notorious for switching sides.

First defecting to The Kingmaker believing he will usurp his brother, George became enraged when Richard Neville instead restored the throne to Henry VI, the York’s sworn enemy. He would ultimately reunite with his brothers to defeat The Kingmaker at the Battle of Barnet.

Later he would be caught in another conspiracy to dethrone King Edward (again) and would be executed by being thrown into boiling wine.

Richard III – Jamie Cambel Bower

King Richard III is perhaps the most famous as the Shakespearean villain who seized his brothers throne upon his passing. At the Battle of Bosworth, he would become the only post-Norman English King to die in battle.

Lady Margaret Beaufort – Florence Pugh

Another prominent female figure in this tale is Lady Margaret Beaufort. her family descended from the first Duke of Lancaster.  Early on, her family name was preyed upon by many nobles. At just 12 years old, King Henry VI arranged her marriage to his Welish half-brother, Owen Tudor, who was 34. Owen would later die of the plague, leaving his exceptionally young wife pregnant and alone.

Margaret would give birth to the future Henry VII at just 13. The trauma of giving birth at that age caused so much damage to her body that, despite two further marriages, she was unable to have another child. 

What Margaret gained later in life was great intelligence and fierce religious devotion. She would need those skills when marrying into a house that can protect her son. Including her 3rd marriage to Lord William Stanly, whose army turned the tide at the Battle of Bosworth, assuring her son’s ascension to the English throne.

For season one, It is best to cast an actual 13-year-old actress in the role to sell the authenticity. Then in the 2nd season, it would be best to cast an older actress. Florence Pugh is a natural choice as she has played similar roles playing a girl being handed over to another house for the purpose of status. This time after her first husband dies, she is the one making the marriage choices to ensure her child’s survival. 

Henry Tudor – Timothée Chalamet

The final season of the story should focus on the last of the Lancaster nobility, Henry Tudor (Henry VII), who, since fleeing with his uncle, Edmund, has been living in exile in both Brittany and France.

Taking advantage of the new turmoil caused by King Richard III’s ascension, he landed with a small army in wales, where he would fight in the Battle of Bosworth Field. His victory signaled the end of the Wars of the Roses.

A lot may remember Timothee Chalemet’s performance in The King and Dune proves he can play royals well, and it fits perfectly.