Scheming beauties, powerful royals, gory battles and passionate affairs... There's no doubt this new epic has all the makings of a mega hit.
Based on Philippa Gregory's bestselling historical novels, the period drama tells the story of the women caught up in the fight for the throne during the War Of The Roses.
The action begins in 1464 at a time when England has torn apart for nine years over who is the rightful king. The war is between two sides of the same family, the House of York and the House of Lancaster.
With the help of master manipulator Lord Warwick, aka The Kingmaker, the House of York's sexy young Edward IV (Max Irons, son of The Borgias' Jeremy) is crowned monarch.
But when Edward secretly marries the beautiful young commoner Elizabeth Woodville (Rebecca Ferguson) – aka The White Queen – Warwick's plan for control crashes around him.
"My character is a commoner from the Lancastrian side," explains Rebecca, 29.
"One day she runs into the York army, the King jumps off his horse and they fall in love."
"The King's marriage to Elizabeth has a huge impact," adds Max, 27.
"It was unheard of to marry for love and it signifies he's becoming his own man, away from Lord Warwick who's the puppeteer ?pulling the strings."
Elizabeth's adversary is the damaged, highly religious Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale) who is desperate to see her young son Henry Tudor take the throne.
And then there is Anne Neville (Faye Marsay), Lord Warwick's own daughter, who marries the King's younger brother.
Over the course of the 10-part series we learn how the three women – Elizabeth, Margaret and Anne – each manipulate behind the scenes in their quest for power.
"I was fortunate enough to meet Prince William about four years ago," says Max.
"I remember thinking, 'Christ, it's him', and he seemed to be larger than life and a foot taller than everyone else in the room. So I was preoccupied for a while as to how I could make Edward like that."
Despite Max's parents both being in showbiz – his mum is actress Sinead Cusack – Max says they never offer criticism
"It's a bit like when parents give you driving lessons," he laughs. "There's real potential to have an argument!"
* The White Queen is on tomorrow night, Sunday June 16, on BBC1 at 9pm
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