Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Watch Tudor Historian react to Mary Queen of Scots Movie.
Dr. Paul examines key moments from the 2018 film Mary Queen of Scots, directed by Josie Rourke, starring Saoirse Ronan as Mary and Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I. She analyses the historical accuracy of pivotal scenes, from Mary’s return to Scotland after her time in France to her turbulent marriages, political struggles with the Scottish nobility, and her fraught rivalry with Elizabeth.
0:00 The Young Henry VIII & Catherine of Aragon ('The Spanish Princess')
12:24 The Anne Boleyn Affair ('The Other Boleyn Girl')
27:18 A Son & A New Wife: Jane Seymour & Anne of Cleves ('Wolf Hall')
42:54 The Teenage Queen: Katherine Howard ('The Tudors')
54:11 Jude Law & The Final Years with Katherine Parr ('Firebrand')
1:08:16 Historian's Final Verdict on Henry VIII Portrayals
Throughout the video, Dr. Paul critiques the casting and character portrayals, discussing how Ronan and Robbie capture the intelligence, vulnerability, and political acumen of two powerful Renaissance queens. She explores the realities behind the drama, including Mary’s marriage to Lord Darnley, the murder of David Rizzio, the scandal surrounding the Earl of Bothwell, her forced abdication, and eventual imprisonment in England.
The review culminates in a close look at Mary’s trial and execution, separating cinematic invention from the complex historical record surrounding one of the most compelling monarchs of the sixteenth century.
You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.
Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: youtube.com/channel/UCZwU2G-KVl-P-O-B35chZOQ/join
#expertreacts #tudors #margotrobbie
Watch Tudor Historian react to Mary Queen of Scots Movie.
Dr. Paul examines key moments from the 2018 film Mary Queen of Scots, directed by Josie Rourke, starring Saoirse Ronan as Mary and Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I. She analyses the historical accuracy of pivotal scenes, from Mary’s return to Scotland after her time in France to her turbulent marriages, political struggles with the Scottish nobility, and her fraught rivalry with Elizabeth.
0:00 The Young Henry VIII & Catherine of Aragon ('The Spanish Princess')
12:24 The Anne Boleyn Affair ('The Other Boleyn Girl')
27:18 A Son & A New Wife: Jane Seymour & Anne of Cleves ('Wolf Hall')
42:54 The Teenage Queen: Katherine Howard ('The Tudors')
54:11 Jude Law & The Final Years with Katherine Parr ('Firebrand')
1:08:16 Historian's Final Verdict on Henry VIII Portrayals
Throughout the video, Dr. Paul critiques the casting and character portrayals, discussing how Ronan and Robbie capture the intelligence, vulnerability, and political acumen of two powerful Renaissance queens. She explores the realities behind the drama, including Mary’s marriage to Lord Darnley, the murder of David Rizzio, the scandal surrounding the Earl of Bothwell, her forced abdication, and eventual imprisonment in England.
The review culminates in a close look at Mary’s trial and execution, separating cinematic invention from the complex historical record surrounding one of the most compelling monarchs of the sixteenth century.
You can now become a History Hit member right here on YouTube! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.
Get an exclusive release every week by signing up here: youtube.com/channel/UCZwU2G-KVl-P-O-B35chZOQ/join
#expertreacts #tudors #margotrobbie
