George R.R. Martin was heavily influenced by the War of the Roses while writing his books, while this series is based on Philippa Gregory’s best-selling series of historical novels The Cousins’ War. And while the backdrop of war and the focus on family intrigue, plotting at court and ill advised marriages bear plenty of resemblance to Game of Thrones, The White Queen’s charting of the female influences during The War of the Roses is an altogether different beast at heart. Its focus is far narrower; its story more streamlined.

In this first hour, we’re introduced to Elizabeth Woodville, a widow, and daughter of a relatively common man, with her family’s allegiance traditionally with the Lancaster side of the war. When she crosses paths with the new king – Edward IV, of the York side – he becomes infatuated with her instantly, and Elizabeth finds herself on a meteoric rise to the highest seat in the land.

Rebecca Ferguson’s Elizabeth is a solid presence; her unassuming demeanour concealing something altogether more confident and calculating than perhaps we might first assume. Doubtless that side of her will emerge as she gets further embroiled with the trappings of the royal court.

Her ethereal looks even make the King’s sudden love for her seem plausible, and if Max Irons (yes, really) as Edward IV is something of a wet blanket thus far, James Frain is on hand to provide the steeliness we might expect of a great war hero as Lord Warwick, the King’s cousin.

The script, too (this week by Emma Frost) deserves praise, in particular for creating genuine doubt over whether the secret wedding between Edward and Elizabeth was legitimate or just a ploy to get Elizabeth into bed. With many of the series events set in stone by actual real-life history, it’s good to know that the writing can still keep things interesting.

This being the first episode, it is primarily designed to set the board – as we see Elizabeth setting up a game of chess, so too this episode sets out all the players of this much larger game that we’ll see trying to out-manoeuvre one-another in the coming weeks.

The majority of the episode takes place at Elizabeth’s home, and at times it begins to feel too narrow in focus; people are spoken of and battles are fought, but neither appears on screen. Thankfully, in the closing moments, as she is established as Queen, the focus draws back from just one country house and we see far more of the rich tapestry of the kingdom on display. The rest of the cast are introduced with great economy, and the tensions that will flow through the series are well established.

There’s an undoubted richness to this first episode; it’s the sort of show that the BBC traditionally excels at, and based on this first episode The White Queen should fit right in with that tradition. With the set-up out of the way, and a few teasing premonitions of blood to come, there’s bound to be plenty to enjoy in the coming weeks.

It’s also nice to see a series dealing with kings and wars that’s told with the female characters at the fore – this is neither a soppy love-story, nor a boys-own-adventure. Though there are elements of both, The White Queen is so much more. And that in itself is something to be applauded. A good start.

Aired at 9pm on Sunday 16 June 2013 on BBC One.

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