Historical drama made for the BBC and based on the novel by Philippa Gregory, the story is a fictionalised account of the life of Mary Boleyn (Natascha McElhone) who was mistress to King Henry VIII (Jared Harris) before he married her younger sister, Anne (Jodhi May). Set during one of the most dramatic periods in British regal history, the narrative focuses on the relationship between the two Boleyn girls and the power game being played by their family in which the sisters are mere pawns. When Mary is ousted in favour of Anne, she leaves the King's Court to marry a commoner, but is compelled to return when her sister embarks on a reckless plan to try and save herself from ruin.