| "Queenie" (Queen Elizabeth I) | |
|---|---|
| Blackadder character | |
Miranda Richardson in full regalia as "Queenie" |
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| First appearance | Pilot Blackadder Bells |
| Last appearance | Chains Blackadder: Back and Forth |
| Portrayed by | Miranda Richardson Elspet Gray |
| Information | |
| Nickname(s) | "Queenie" |
| Occupation | reigning monarch |
| Title | Queen of England |
| Nationality | English |
"Queenie" is a caricature of the historical figure Queen Elizabeth I of England, played by Miranda Richardson in Blackadder II, the second series of the BBC historical 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.
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In contrast to the usual regal and austere depiction of Elizabeth I (such as Glenda Jackson's portrayal in the 1971 television drama Elizabeth R), Miranda Richardson's portrayal is childish, spoiled and silly, possessing a fiery temper.[1] Richardson plays the Queen with the mannerisms of a spoiled schoolgirl who just happened to possess the kind of casual, autocratic power that could have someone's nose cut off if it is prettier than hers - a power which she revels in. "Queenie" readily threatens her courtiers with execution if they do not do as she wishes (or even just on a whim). As her fancies are usually based on a fleeting whim, her courtiers, toadies, and favourites are frequently kept on their toes when trying to please (or, just as often, not upset) her.
Queenie's immature behaviour is expressed in her desire to "get squiffy and seduce nobles" (and force presents off them on pain of death). A naughty schoolgirl at heart, Queenie loves to party, play games and get drunk. If anyone fails to laugh at her jokes, they risk execution, but, to her followers' bemusement and frustration, she sometimes tires of their toadying and welcomes a more cynical approach.
Amanda Barrie's portrayal of Cleopatra in the 1964 film Carry on Cleo as a childish seductress has been suggested as an inspiration for Richardson's interpretation of Elizabeth I.[2] It has been remarked that Queenie closely resembles the character Violet Elizabeth Bott featured in the Just William books of Richmal Crompton.
A possible early interpretation of the Blackadder Queen Elizabeth character was portrayed four years before Miranda Richardson's role. Prior to the production of the first Blackadder series, a pilot episode was shot in 1982 which was set in the Elizabethan Era. This episode, which has never been televised, featured a fictitious King and Queen of England. The Queen, played by Elspet Gray, is not explicitly named as Elizabeth, but wears a costume and hairstyle which closely resemble those of traditional images of Queen Elizabeth I. In the first televised series, Elspet Gray's Queen character evolved into Gertrude of Flanders when the setting was shifted back to the 15th Century.[3]
The role of Elizabeth I was revived for the second series, Blackadder II, in which "Queenie" plays an important role, frequently ordering Lord Blackadder to Richmond Palace. The Queen always holds court in the company of her deranged former nurse, Nursie (Patsy Byrne) and the obsequious Lord Melchett (Stephen Fry). She commands Blackadder to carry out a variety of tasks, some important (such as appointing Blackadder as the Lord High Executioner in "Head") and some petty (such as repeatedly summoning Blackadder to her only for it to turn out as a childish practical joke designed to extract money from him in "Money"). The only times she is seen out of her palace are to visit a prisoner up for execution and to sneak into Blackadder's "boys' party", the latter resulting in her getting drunk then forgetting what she was going to do, which was execute everyone at the party. The Queen demonstrates feelings for Blackadder that, on occasion, the audience is given cause to believe may border on something deeper than casual flirting. For instance, she is somewhat jealous upon learning that Blackadder intends to marry Kate, feeling better only when he mentions that her nose is prettier than Kate's (threatening to cut it off if it not, and forcing Blackadder to "marry someone without a nose".) Furthermore, on one occasion, she declares that she is keen on him, and on another, she declares that she would like to marry him.
Miranda Richardson reprised the role of Queenie in Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988). This special presents new-footage flashbacks to the second and third series of Blackadder through the use of a Dickensian framing device. In look back to the age of Blackadder II, Elizabeth bans Christmas because it bores her only subsequently to decide she will execute Edmund because he didn't get her a present. Naturally, he escapes his fate, and manages to get Melchett sentenced to death instead. She also plays Queen Asphyxia XIX, ruler of the Universe.
In the millennium special Blackadder: Back & Forth (1999), a time travel retrospective and finale to the saga, Richardson portrays Elizabeth once again. In the episode's present-day narrative, she portrays a Sloane Ranger Lady Elizabeth who is a friend of the contemporary Edmund Blackadder; she is shocked to discover that Queen Elizabeth's crown fits her head perfectly.
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