Queenie

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Queenie was also a long-lived elephant at Melbourne Zoo in Australia.

Blackadder character
Queen Elizabeth I
Nationality	British
Occupation(s)	Queen of England
First appearance	Bells
Last appearance	Chains
Episode count	8 +1 specials
Played by	Miranda Richardson

Queenie was a caricature of the historical figure Queen Elizabeth I of England, played by Miranda Richardson in the second series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, which was set in Elizabethan England. Though only twice referred to as "Queenie" in the series (once by Lord Flashheart and once as self-reference in her poem for Blackadder's voyage), this name is commonly used by the general public.

Contents 1 Character 2 Character Development 2.1 Blackadder II 2.2 Blackadder: Back and Forth 3 References

[edit] Character

Far from the usual regal and austere depiction of Elizabeth I, 'Queenie', as she came to be known, was often childish and silly, but possessing a fiery temper. She would readily threaten her courtiers with execution if they did not do as she wished (or even just on a whim). She was portrayed in the manner of a spoilt school girl bequeathed with the power to have executed anyone whose nose was prettier than hers - a power which she revelled in. And as her fancies were usually based on a whim she felt at the time, her courtiers and favourites were frequently kept on their toes when trying to please (or, just as often, not upset) her.

It would appear that there was nothing Queenie liked more than to "get squiffy and seduce [nobles]", apart from beheading them. A naughty schoolgirl at heart, Queenie loved to party, play games and get drunk. And if anyone failed to so much as laugh at her jokes, they risked execution, but, to her followers' bemusement and frustration, she sometimes tired of their toadying and welcomed a more cynical approach.

[edit] Character Development

[edit] Blackadder II

Throughout series two of Blackadder Queenie plays an important role, frequently ordering Lord Blackadder to her palace (in which she would always be in the company of her deranged former nurse, Nursie and the toadying Lord Melchett). She commands Blackadder to carry out various tasks of varying importance, once appointing Blackadder as the Lord High Executioner; in the episode Money she repeatedly calls Blackadder to her only for it to turn out as a joke. The only times she is seen out of her palace were to visit a prisoner up for execution and to sneak into Blackadder's "boy's party", the latter resulted in her getting drunk then forgetting what she was going to do, which was execute everyone at the party. Despite her behavior, the audience is occasionally given cause for wonder if her feelings for Edmund actually go beyond sheer lust and border on something deeper. Other pursuits of hers included writing poetry and fancy dress parties. The final episode of series two documents that she was brutaly murdered by Prince Ludwig The Indestructible, who then, disguised as the Queen, usurped the throne.

[edit] Blackadder: Back and Forth

Miranda Richardson reprised the role of Queenie in the millennium special Blackadder: Back & Forth, in which she also played a modern day Sloane Ranger version of Queenie called Lady Elizabeth.

[edit] References