But the BBC’s new flagship drama about the Wars of the Roses has been filmed entirely overseas because, producers claim, England lacks unspoiled medieval buildings.

So the film crew moved to Belgium, where the architecture is as enticing as the tax breaks. The country was on a list of possible locations for filming because the financial deals were not available in Britain at the time.

The White Queen tells the story of the women caught up in the conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster, with scenes set in Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster and Bosworth Field.
Each will be represented by locations in Belgium.

The producers said that too many of England’s medieval buildings have been covered in satellite dishes, CCTV cameras and television aerials.

Many other 15th century buildings were now in ruins, while the Belgians have maintained and restored theirs.

Max Irons, who plays King Edward IV, said: “The great thing about Belgium is that they really take care of their architecture, whereas, we in England have a tendency to stick CCTV cameras on classic buildings and paint the streets with white and yellow lines.”

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Starz has announced the premiere date for its new series, “The White Queen.”

The series, based on Phillipa Gregory’s best-selling novel series, debuts on Starz on Saturday, August 10 at 9 PM ET/PT.

“The White Queen” stars Max Irons as Edward IV, and Rebecca Ferguson as Elizabeth Woodville — “The White Queen.”

Set during England’s War of the Roses (The Cousins’ War) in 1464, the show will be told from the perspective of three women — Elizabeth, Margaret Beaufort (The Red Queen) and Anne Neville (The Kingmaker’s Daughter).

Elizabeth captures the heart of Edward IV of the House of York, causing trouble for Lord Warwick, “The Kingmaker,” played by former “Tudors” (and “True Blood”) actor James Frain.

The women will be involved in what Starz calls a “high-stakes struggle for the crown.”

“All are heroines in the real sense of the word,” read a statement from Gregory. “They were courageous and determined and went through extraordinary danger, but they never abandoned their unwavering desire to return their family to power. They conquered the circumstances they were born into and made a life for themselves, which is a very modern and quite feminist theme. I think people are going to be surprised to see these remarkably powerful women when traditional history tells you female were simply relegated to be victims or wives or mothers.”

The series also stars Janet McTeer as Elizabeth’s mother, Jacquetta Woodville, Amanda Hale as Margaret Beaufort (Henry Tudor’s mother), Faye Marsay as Anne Neville, former “The Borgias” actor David Oakes as George, Duke of Clarence, Eleanor Tomlinson as Isabel Neville, Aneurin Barnard as Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Ben Lamb as Anthony Rivers and Tom McKay as Jasper Tudor.

“The White Queen” is a co-production between Starz and the BBC.

-Source: AccessHollywood.com