Jodie Comer’s The White Princess Is a Period Drama Worth Watching Tonight
If you have been missing Jodie Comer on screen, there is a particularly good reason to revisit one of her earlier standout roles. The White Princess, the 2017 historical drama starring Comer as Elizabeth of York, is currently streaming for free on Channel 4, giving viewers a chance to see the actress tackle one of Britain’s most turbulent royal periods.
The series has earned a strong following since its debut, with some viewers rating it as highly as 10 stars. Critics have also praised its performances, political intrigue and fresh perspective on the women caught at the centre of England’s struggle for power.
A marriage meant to end a war
Based on Philippa Gregory’s novel of the same name, The White Princess follows the marriage of Elizabeth of York, played by Comer, and Henry VII, portrayed by Jacob Collins-Levy.
The pair are brought together at a pivotal moment in English history. Their marriage is intended to unite the rival houses of Lancaster and York and bring an end to the Wars of the Roses.
But peace proves much harder to achieve than a royal wedding might suggest.
Elizabeth enters the marriage carrying her own loyalties and doubts, while Henry faces the enormous challenge of securing his position on the throne. Around them, competing ambitions continue to threaten the fragile new order.
Elizabeth must also contend with Henry’s formidable mother, Lady Margaret Beaufort, played by Michelle Fairley, as well as political schemes coming from multiple directions. Her struggle to establish herself at court becomes just as important as the wider battle for the crown.
The story unfolds over seven years, following Elizabeth as she grows from a young woman into a queen shaped by the experiences and pressures surrounding her.
The follow-up to The White Queen
The series continues the story begun in The White Queen, the 2013 historical drama that won both Golden Globe and Emmy recognition.
While viewers who watched its predecessor will find plenty of familiar historical territory, The White Princess can also stand on its own. The series focuses particularly on Elizabeth and the women surrounding the Tudor court, bringing family tensions, romance, betrayal and the struggle for political influence to the forefront.
Rotten Tomatoes currently gives the series a 75% Tomatometer score from 16 reviews, while its critics’ consensus praises its performances and fresh perspective on British royal-court drama.
Entertainment Weekly similarly highlighted the precarious position of its central character, describing the series as grounded in the journey of a new queen navigating an uncertain court.
For viewers who enjoy historical dramas packed with complicated family relationships and shifting loyalties, that combination is a major part of the show’s appeal.
Jodie Comer found a personal connection with Elizabeth
For Comer, playing a woman who lived more than 500 years ago was less intimidating than it might sound.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, the actress said she immediately felt a connection to Elizabeth when she first read the scripts. What she related to most was the character’s adolescence and the sense of growing into herself.
The bigger challenge was the seven-year span of the story.
Rather than relying heavily on obvious physical changes to show Elizabeth aging, Comer focused on how the character developed as she experienced the events of the series. The goal was for viewers to recognize that Elizabeth had changed because of everything she had endured.
That approach is reflected throughout the drama. Elizabeth begins the story as a young woman entering a marriage surrounded by political expectations, then gradually becomes more assured as she learns how to survive and influence the world around her.
The production also used costume and makeup to subtly reflect that progression. Comer explained that Elizabeth’s clothing becomes increasingly restrictive as the story advances, while her hair moves from a looser, more romantic style toward a more contained appearance.
A royal drama driven by women
One of the show’s defining features is its focus on the women whose choices help shape the political story.
Elizabeth finds herself caught between her York heritage, her new Tudor family and the ambitions of the people surrounding the throne. Her relationship with Margaret Beaufort adds another layer of tension, with both women attempting to secure their influence and protect their interests.
The series also gives Elizabeth considerably more agency than a traditional portrayal of a historical queen might suggest. Comer and writer Emma Frost approached her as a character with her own ambitions, frustrations and determination rather than simply as a figure caught between powerful men.
That perspective is part of what helped distinguish The White Princess from more conventional period dramas.
What critics said
The response from critics was largely positive.
Rotten Tomatoes’ 75% score reflects a broad appreciation for the series, particularly its acting and its perspective on the royal court.
Variety noted that the show should appeal to viewers who enjoy tracing complicated royal family trees, while Entertainment Weekly praised the way the story remains focused on Elizabeth’s difficult position as a new queen.
The A.V. Club also acknowledged that some situations and characters were adjusted for dramatic purposes, while noting that the historical events at the heart of the story still provide plenty of material for an absorbing drama.
The cast is led by Comer and Collins-Levy, with Michelle Fairley as Margaret Beaufort. The ensemble also includes Rebecca Benson, Richard Dillane, Kenneth Cranham and Essie Davis.
Why The White Princess still stands out
At its heart, The White Princess combines the familiar pleasures of a lavish period drama with a story about a young woman learning to navigate an exceptionally dangerous political environment.
There are royal marriages, rival families and battles for power, but the series keeps returning to the personal cost of those struggles. Elizabeth’s relationship with Henry evolves alongside her understanding of what it means to be queen, while the people around them continue to test the stability of the Tudor court.
For Comer, the emotional connection was important too. As she explained to Harper’s Bazaar, the people depicted in historical stories were still human, with feelings and relationships that audiences can recognize centuries later.
That balance between history, family, love and betrayal remains central to the series.
The White Princess is streaming now on Channel 4.