The historical drama that sparked accusations of wild inaccuracy in Spain
In short: While American critics found beauty in its melodrama, Spanish audiences were less kind. This Starz period drama faced harsh backlash for extreme inaccuracies, with critics labelling the portrayal of Catherine of Aragon as insulting and stereotyping, prompting ABC to claim it fabricates her history and 20minutos to rank it among the worst.
Developed by Emma Frost and Matthew Graham, The Spanish Princess is a 16-part limited series that follows the journey of Catherine of Aragon. The daughter of Spanish rulers Isabella and Ferdinand, Catherine travels to England to fulfill a childhood betrothal to Arthur, Prince of Wales. The narrative explores her struggle to adapt to English customs alongside a diverse court, including figures like the Morisco lady-in-waiting Catalina de Cardonnes and the Moorish-descended Lina.
The production was split into two distinct phases. The first eight episodes premiered on 5 May 2019, following a production that began at Wells Cathedral in May 2018. Due to the show's success, Starz ordered an additional eight episodes, which eventually aired between 3 June 2019 and 29 November 2020. The second half of the series expanded its scope, moving between France, England, and Scotland to tell three interconnected stories.
Despite receiving generally favorable reviews in the United States—with a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the series faced harsh backlash in Spain. Critics there accused the show of 'wild historical inaccuracy' and 'insulting' portrayals. The Spanish newspaper ABC specifically claimed the series 'invents and humiliates' Catherine's history, while other outlets like 20minutos were highly critical of its handling of Spanish history.
The series also features a notable behind-the-scenes detail: it was reported that most episodes were directed by women. The cast includes Charlotte Hope as the titular princess and Ruairi O'Connor as the young Henry, Duke of York, who at one point in the series is depicted as a ten-year-old author of romantic correspondence.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Spanish Princess
- Also: Wikidata — The Spanish Princess · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-the-spanish-princess.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in TV series · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
