England, 1554. Young, passionate Elizabeth Tudor (Cate Blanchett) comes to the throne amidst bloody turmoil. Among her courtiers are the venerable Sir William Cecil (Attenborough), her lover the Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes), the imperious Duke of Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston), and her advisor Walsingham (Rush). She must learn to weigh her counsel carefully and ignore her private yearnings if she is to keep her crown - and her head.