Firebrand — Official Trailer

added: Wed, May 8th '24

In the upcoming historical drama "Firebrand," for which an official trailer has been released, Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander takes on the role of Catherine Parr, who ascends to the throne as Queen of England after marrying King Henry VIII, marking his sixth and final wife.

Sharing the screen with Vikander is Jude Law, portraying the paranoid and tyrannical King Henry, who constantly fears betrayal and the threat of losing his authority to schemers and rebels. Catherine faces a precarious situation knowing the fates of Henry's previous wives. They all ended in tragedy, whether by beheading, banishment, or other grim methods. Complications arise as Catherine finds herself mingling with her childhood friend, Anne Askew (played by Erin Doherty from "The Crown"), an outspoken Protestant preacher recognized for her vocal opposition to King Henry's rule.

With a stellar supporting cast including Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Amr Waked, and Simon Russell Beale, the film is directed by acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker Karim Ainouz, whose film credits include "Invisible Life" (2019), "Futuro Beach" (2014), and "Lower City" (2005). Based on Elizabeth Fremantle's book "Queen's Gambit," the film's screenplay is penned by sisters Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth, known for their work on "Killing Eve" and "The Crowded Room."

"Firebrand" hits U.S. theaters on June 14th.

synopsis:
In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Alicia Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Jude Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation's ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Henry's courtiers, suspecting she's sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation's radicals, including Katherine's childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.

directed by Karim Ainouz

starring Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Erin Doherty, Eddie Marsan, Sam Riley, Amr Waked, Patsy Ferran, Mina Andala, Junia Rees, Patrick Buckley, Simon Russell Beale

release date June 14, 2024 (in theaters)