Great Scot

This morning, eager Empire readers, we shall begin with a history lesson. In 1542 was born a feisty wee lass up in bonnie Scotland. Her name was Mary. Now Mary was no ordinary girl, she was the only daughter of James V of Scotland and the grand niece of England's favourite philandering monarch, Henry VIII. Unsatisfied by a life spent reading novels by Irvine Welsh and watching her countrymen beat everyone else at snooker, this ambitious child ascended to the Scottish throne and, subsequently, set her eyes on the English crown as well. Unsurprisingly this didn't go down too well with Elizabeth I, who'd grown quite accustomed to the big frocks and comfy chairs that came with the job. The problem was that Elizabeth was an Anglican (after her father, Henry 'so many women, so little time' Tudor) and Mary was a Catholic, and lots of people wanted a Catholic restored to the throne. Lizzie wasn't having any of it though and, wringing her hands and pacing the floor for a bit, ordered Mary's head chopped off and had a cup of tea. Such is the sad story of Mary Queen of Scots, a figure soon to be filled out by Bryce Dallas Howard in an upcoming historical drama. The Village star and offspring of Ron Howard is taking the role of the famous Scottish heroine in a film charting her rise to power, which is scheduled to begin shooting next March. But, as talented as Howard undoubtedly is, the most interesting aspect is that the film has been scripted by Jimmy McGovern. McGovern is, among other things, the man who brought us Cracker with Robbie Coltrane - arguably the best drama ever to take form on these shores. And if that wasn't enough, Ridley Scott is down to produce, too. Hopes are high.