InFrame

Planned Drama ‘Majesty’ Sparks Debate Over Reported Search for Transgender Actor to Play Queen Elizabeth I

Photo Credit: UnSplash

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 9

ITV is developing Majesty, a six‑part period drama that reimagines the early life of Queen Elizabeth I during the court of her father, King Henry VIII. The broadcaster has presented the show as “far from being a historical account,” describing it instead as a bold alternate history grounded in conspiracy theories and legends that have surrounded the Tudor monarch for centuries.

Writers William Harper, Joan Rater and Tony Phelan previously said the series would follow “three outsiders” trying to survive while hiding a secret that could “rock England to its foundations,” positioning the drama as emotional, sometimes funny and contemporary in tone despite its 16th‑century setting. The show was first commissioned in 2024, with production now scheduled to begin in summer 2026 and a planned broadcast in 2027, according to recent coverage.

In the last week, multiple outlets have reported that Majesty will portray Elizabeth I as a transgender woman and that ITV or the production team are seeking actors who identify as transgender women for the lead role. The series is said to draw inspiration from fringe historical theories, including the long‑debunked “Bisley Boy” legend, to imagine Elizabeth as someone whose gender identity or assigned sex at birth differs from the historical record.

LGBTQ+ outlet Attitude reports that a casting call has circulated inviting applications from young white transgender actors aged over 16 to play Elizabeth, described as a “young trans woman” who is “intelligent, compassionate, brave, likeable, witty and charming.” The same report states that the casting notice gives an application deadline of 16 July, with principal photography scheduled from 20 July 2026 through late October 2026, and asks applicants to send a short self‑tape and selfie to a casting email address.

At the same time, mainstream entertainment coverage stresses that ITV has not yet publicly confirmed the final casting or explicitly stated that Elizabeth will be definitively portrayed as transgender in‑story, even as anonymous sources and tabloid reports describe this as the creative direction. Entertainment Daily notes that “no casting has been announced,” while reporting that The Sun claims producers are “looking at casting actors who identify as transgender women” for the monarch.

Media coverage links Majesty to long‑standing conspiratorial narratives about Elizabeth I’s body and gender, which historians have repeatedly rejected as unfounded and often rooted in misogyny. Among these is the “Bisley Boy” story, a 19th‑century legend claiming that the young Elizabeth died in the village of Bisley and was secretly replaced by a boy to avoid Henry VIII’s wrath, a tale professional historians regard as fictional.

Digital Spy notes that experts interviewed by BBC History Extra and other outlets have described theories that Elizabeth was transgender or male‑bodied as “conspiracy” and have gone into detail in previous features to debunk them. These scholars argue that such stories often interpret Elizabeth’s unmarried status, political authority and refusal to produce an heir through sexist assumptions that powerful women must in some way be “unfeminine” or secretly male.

Coverage of Majesty repeatedly stresses that the show is positioned as a speculative retelling rather than a documentary or straight biopic, with ITV reportedly framing it as an “intriguing reimagining” using conspiracy theories as a narrative springboard. The Chosun Ilbo’s English‑language report, citing British press including the Telegraph, similarly characterises the drama as depicting Elizabeth explicitly as a transgender woman within a fictional frame.

News of the reported casting brief and transgender storyline has prompted intense reaction, with some outlets and commentators framing the project as part of wider “culture wars” over gender identity. GB News reports that critics on X have denounced the idea of “transing” Elizabeth I, with one user quoted as saying, “strong women can’t possibly just be women,” in protest at the premise.

Talk‑show segments amplified by GB News and TalkTV feature campaigners who oppose transgender‑inclusive casting, describing the concept as insulting to both women and historical memory. The Daily Sceptic quotes Fiona McAnena of the UK campaign group Sex Matters criticising the project as an “April Fool’s joke” and suggesting viewers “sick of gender ideology” may change the channel, highlighting how the show has become a focal point for longstanding political arguments about transgender inclusion.

On the other hand, LGBTQ+‑focused coverage emphasises that selecting a transgender actor for such a high‑profile role could represent a significant moment for representation, even within a speculative storyline. Attitude’s report highlights how the casting description foregrounds Elizabeth as complex, brave and charismatic, potentially offering a rare central role for a transgender performer in a mainstream British period drama.

Majesty arrives in the context of wider debates over how to portray historical figures through queer and transgender lenses, from theatre productions that imagine Joan of Arc as non‑binary to reinterpretations of ancient myths. Commentators quoted in the Daily Sceptic argue that some creative teams see transgender interpretations of famous women as “edgy,” while many viewers may experience them as part of a broader backlash against women’s rights, illustrating the contested terrain the series enters.

Digital Spy notes that experts urge audiences to distinguish clearly between historical evidence and conspiratorial narratives, even while acknowledging that speculative fiction can probe themes such as gender norms, power and surveillance. For transgender people and allies, the decision to cast a transgender actor as a monarch who has often been used as a canvas for gendered rumours could raise complex questions about whether such stories reinforce harmful myths or offer space for new, empowering readings of identity and resilience.

Across outlets, several points appear consistent: Majesty is an ITV‑backed six‑episode drama set in the Tudor court, developed by Harper, Rater and Phelan; it is designed as an alternate‑history series grounded in conspiracy theories about Elizabeth I; and production is expected to start in summer 2026. Reports also consistently state that officials at ITV have declined to comment on specific casting questions for Elizabeth I.

Other key elements remain less firmly established on the public record. Entertainment Daily underscores that, as of early April 2026, no actor has been formally announced in the role, and the broadcaster has not released a statement explicitly confirming Elizabeth will be depicted as transgender rather than, for example, as the subject of rumours within the story. Attitude’s detailed casting‑call report describes a leading role for a “young trans woman” playing Elizabeth and provides a specific timeline and contact details, but this document has not yet been independently reproduced by ITV’s own publicity channels, meaning aspects of it may still require direct confirmation.

As debate continues, news coverage suggests that Majesty is likely to remain a flashpoint in ongoing conversations about trans‑inclusive casting, historical storytelling and the responsibilities of large broadcasters in polarised cultural climates. The eventual casting announcement, once made, is expected to influence whether the project is most widely received as a landmark for transgender representation, a lightning rod for criticism, or some combination of both.

Copyright EDGE Media Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Jack Innanen Confirms Talks With 'Heated Rivalry' Team As Season 2 Momentum Builds

Photo Credit: Jack Innanen / Instagram

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 8

Jack Innanen has publicly confirmed that he has been in contact with the team behind the hit queer hockey romance drama Heated Rivalry about a possible role in the show’s second season, telling Entertainment Tonight that “I’ve had some conversations. We’ve chatted.” The Canadian performer, known for the FX on Hulu comedy Adults and his online sketch work, made the comments during a red-carpet interview while promoting his new Netflix series Big Mistakes.

Caitlyn Jenner Creditor Claim Approved Against Late Friend Sophia Hutchins’s Estate

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Caitlyn Jenner and Sophie Hutchins attend Elton John AIDS Foundation's 30th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 27, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 8

Caitlyn Jenner has asserted that she is owed nearly $440,000 by the estate of her late friend and former manager Sophia Hutchins, filing a creditor’s claim that sets out a detailed breakdown of alleged unpaid expenses. The filing, which totals $439,095.88, states that Hutchins accumulated the debt through extensive use of Jenner’s credit and debit cards, as well as through a prior agreement to share legal fees in a separate lawsuit.

Lady Gaga and Doechii Unveil “Runway” for 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' Trailer

Photo Credit: Disney/Fox

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 8

Lady Gaga and Doechii’s new track “Runway” makes its first official appearance in the final trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2, offering fans a high‑energy preview of the soundtrack ahead of the film’s release. The original song plays prominently over the trailer, which revisits the cut‑throat world of high fashion nearly 20 years after the first film became a cultural touchstone.

What to Stream: Sydney Sweeney, 'Malcolm in the Middle,' Jonah Hill, 'Hacks' and Ella Langley

This combination of album cover images shows “Superbloom” by Jessie Ware, left, and "Dandelion" by Ella Langley. Photo Credit: EMI/Universal via AP, left, and SAWGOD Recordings/Columbia via AP

by The Associated Press  Apr 7

Sydney Sweeney starring as real-life boxing legend Christy Martin in the movie “Christy” and “Hacks” launching its fifth and final season on HBO are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

Pressure Mounts on Ye to Be Pulled From His Headline Role at a Summer Festival in London

Kanye West, known as Ye, watches the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Lakers, on March 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File

by Pan Pylas  Apr 6

Pressure was mounting Sunday on American rapper Ye to be pulled from his headline role at a London music festival this summer, after criticism from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Ye Attempts a Comeback With Sold-Out LA-Area Concert, Support From Lauryn Hill

Kanye West, known as Ye, watches the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Lakers, on March 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File

by Ryan Pearson  Apr 4

The artist formerly and possibly again known as Kanye West reveled in support from one of his musical idols, Lauryn Hill, as he staged a sold-out Southern California concert meant to mark a comeback from years of controversy.

Swedish Pop Icon Robyn Opens Up About IVF Journey and Embracing Single Motherhood in Her 40s

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 07: Robyn visits SiriusXM Studios on January 07, 2026 in New York City. Photo Credit: Michael Loccisano

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 3

Swedish pop superstar Robyn, known for timeless hits like "Dancing on My Own," has candidly revealed her journey to single motherhood via IVF, calling it a "fing rollercoaster*" in a recent interview with The Guardian. This disclosure, made as she promotes her 2026 album Sexistential, details her decision in her 40s to pursue parenthood independently after realizing conventional relationship timelines did not align with her vision.

Newlyweds Chaz Bono and Shara Blue Mathes Celebrate Romantic Honeymoon in Hawaii

Photo Credit: Shara Blue Bono/Instagram

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 4

Chaz Bono, the son of entertainment icon Cher and the late Sonny Bono, and Shara Blue Mathes have embarked on a romantic honeymoon in  Hawaii  after tying the knot earlier this year. The couple, who exchanged vows in a "Hollywood Glam Formal" ceremony at  The Hollywood Roosevelt  on March 8, 2026, arrived in the Aloha State to celebrate their new marriage with scenic beach outings and relaxed moments together.

Brandi Carlile Reveals Sobriety Milestone: No Longer Drinks Before Shows to Stay Present for Fans and Family

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Brandi Carlile performs "America the Beautiful" during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox

by Chris Tremblay  Apr 5

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, a prominent advocate within the LGBTQ+ community, recently opened up about a significant change in her professional routine: she no longer drinks alcohol before or during her performances. In an interview on the Good Hang podcast released on March 31, 2026, Carlile explained to host Amy Poehler that this decision allows her to stay fully present for her audience, her wife Catherine Shepherd, and their two daughters.