Years Before Her Sci-Fi Turn, Rebecca Ferguson Headlined This 10-Episode Historical Thriller Series

Before Rebecca Ferguson became synonymous with steely sci-fi authority in Silo or quiet power in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, she delivered one of the most commanding performances of her career in a very different genre. In 2013, Ferguson led the BBC historical miniseries The White Queen, a 10-episode political thriller dressed up as a period drama — and it remains one of the clearest early indicators of the screen presence that would later make her a star.

Set during England’s Wars of the Roses, The White Queen doesn’t approach history as a dusty recounting of battles and bloodlines. Instead, it frames power as something negotiated in bedrooms, birthing chambers, and whispered alliances — a perspective that places women at the center of a story usually told through men. Ferguson’s Elizabeth Woodville isn’t just the show’s emotional anchor; she’s its sharpest weapon.

What 'The White Queen' Is About

The White Queen tells a story of the prolonged civil war between the Houses of York and Lancaster for the English throne, with constantly changing hands; this series will show how three women, i.e., the above-mentioned, Elizabeth Woodville (Ferguson), Margaret Beaufort (Amanda Hale), and Anne Neville (Faye Marsay). Through their manipulation of the machinations behind the scenes, they try to determine how the future will develop.

Initially, Elizabeth was just a widow with no formal power, until she married King Edward IV (Max Irons), and was immediately thrust into the middle of court politics. From here on, there will be a constant reorganization of alliances, betrayals, and survival strategies. Marriage and heirs are as significant in Elizabeth's world as armies. The end result is a series that resembles a political soap opera, but has actual historical importance.

Today, The White Queen remains strong because it knows that intrigue is not necessarily defined by action, but rather by the way tension is generated by the relationships between characters, e.g., who can enter the space, who is being monitored, and who is manipulating things without being witnessed.

Rebecca Ferguson’s Breakout Performance as Elizabeth Woodville

Elizabeth Woodville, as portrayed by Ferguson in the series, is what makes the series work so well. From her very first appearance, Elizabeth Woodville exudes an aura of restraint rather than explicit ambition. This prompts viewers to ask whether her calmness stems from instinct or calculation. Ferguson's portrayal is one of patience, stillness, and timing. These qualities are also present in Ferguson's performances in Silo and Dune.

The balance of vulnerability and authority of Ferguson's actions is what makes this portrayal so compelling. Several factors, such as Elizabeth being subject to male heirs, loyalty to the crown, and public perceptions, play a role in how her fate ultimately unfolds; however, Ferguson never portrays Elizabeth as passive. Every time Elizabeth finds herself in situations with very few options available to her, she continues to be very aware of her surroundings, emotionally aware, and continues to watch for opportunities, which allows the viewer to see a very human character who retains agency, without rewriting history by giving her powers or attributes that are more modern. The role earned Ferguson a Golden Globe nomination, and it’s easy to see why. She anchors the show without dominating it, allowing the ensemble to thrive while still making Elizabeth the figure around whom everything ultimately orbits.

One of The White Queen’s smartest choices is its focus on how power functions when you’re technically excluded from it. The men go to war; the women negotiate the consequences. Pregnancies become political events. Marriages are treated like military maneuvers. Reputation is currency. This approach creates a contemporary vibe in what could have easily been a melodramatic story. The interest of this series lies not in portraying clean-cut characters as heroes or villains but rather in detailing the journey of surviving long enough to write the next chapter. Viewers drawn to shows such as House of the Dragon and Succession will find The White Queen similar, as it explores how personal ambition clashes with institutional power; it is not about the show's flashiness but about providing insight into how these two concepts interact.

Why 'The White Queen' Is Essential Viewing for Ferguson Fans

Looking back, The White Queen reads like a blueprint for Ferguson’s later career. The same quiet intensity that defines her work as Juliette in Silo or Lady Jessica in Dune is fully formed here. She’s playing another woman navigating a rigid system, forced to think several moves ahead just to stay alive — and Ferguson makes every choice feel deliberate.

While the series later spawned follow-ups (The White Princess and The Spanish Princess), Ferguson’s performance remains the emotional high point of this corner of historical television. It’s the role that announced her as a lead capable of carrying complex material, long before Hollywood fully caught on. If you’ve only encountered Ferguson through her recent genre work, The White Queen is well worth revisiting — not as a curiosity, but as one of her strongest, most quietly impressive performances.