Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents
It was the world’s first secret service. When the pope declared Queen Elizabeth I as a heretic, she was the immediate target of Catholic assassins. To combat this, her spymaster William Cecil set up a network of informers and agents to prevent any plots. This soon grew into a huge espionage operation using brutal methods to protect the monarchy. It would change history forever.
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Queen Elizabeth's Secret Agents on BBC Select
Episode 1: Kill the Queen
Spymaster William Cecil must stop Catholic assassins after the Queen is branded a heretic.
Twelve years into Elizabeth I’s reign, the pope declares her a heretic giving England’s Catholics permission to kill her. The Queen looks to her spymaster William Cecil to stop the assassins getting through. Cecil establishes a huge espionage network, England’s first secret service. Soon his focus falls on her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. Cecil knows Mary must die if Elizabeth is to live.
Episode 2: A New Broom
An ambitious aristocrat tries to take over Robert Cecil’s extensive spy network.
Robert Cecil is the son of Elizabeth I’s original spymaster. He has been groomed since birth to inherit his father’s network. But when he finally steps into his father’s shoes, the Queen’s enemies are stronger than ever. The Earl of Essex has established a rival network and is trying to oust Cecil as Elizabeth’s spymaster. To survive, Cecil must ruthlessly maneuver Essex to the execution block.
Episode 3: Kill the King
Robert Cecil uncovers the Gunpowder Plot, but his investigation is hampered by the King.
Elizabeth I is dead and King James of Scotland travels south to take the throne at the invitation of Robert Cecil. Meanwhile, an extremist called Guy Fawkes, has a plan to blow up parliament with the King inside. Cecil hears about the gunpowder plot but is unaware of when and how they will strike. His investigation is hampered by the wildly ambitious plans of the new King.
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