"Reign" Season 3 has found its Queen Elizabeth in the person of "Fifty Shades of Grey" actress Rachel Skarsten. Below are four interesting things about the 30-year-old Canadian actress.
1. Skarsten's Queen Elizabeth has been greatly anticipated.
In an exclusive interview for "Reign" Season 3, Skarsten admitted that "It's a lot of pressure" to play her character on The CW series. She explained that the arrival of Queen Elizabeth has been anticipated even at the first read-through. "There's definitely been an anticipation for the character. They would keep mentioning Elizabeth then bringing her up and making reference to her," she said.
2. Her royalty character will have insecurities
Christian Grey's personal assistant in "Fifty Shades" has definitely ditched her corporate ensemble for a royalty wardrobe. Her presence in "Reign" was already felt in the finale of Season 2 according to E! News, but fans will know more of Queen Catharine's ally in the upcoming season.
Related: 'Reign' Season 3: 3 Things Fans Can Expect From Cw's Period Drama This Fall
Though Skarsten is portraying a powerful lady in the period drama, she admitted that it's the insecurities of the queen that she's looking forward to playing. "I'm looking forward to sort of playing not only her strength but also her insecurities," the actress said. Rachel also shared that since Queen Elizabeth is viewed as "somewhat illegitimate" despite being queen of one of the most powerful nations, she has this "incredible insecurity about keeping her place."
3. Queen Elizabeth is going to feel threatened.
Show executive producer Laurie McCarthy has revealed to Entertainment Weekly that although Rachel's Queen Elizabeth is a ruler, she will still feel threatened when it comes to her power. "They live in a patriarchy still. And she's the ruler of England, and she's feeling threatened," McCarthy said. She also noted that Elizabeth will be just like Mary and Catherine since these three women share the same traits of "feeling very much alone in a man's world."
4. Skarsten's Queen Elizabeth is vulnerable when it comes to matters of the heart.
Though McCarthy spoke highly of Rache's role to E! News, she also admitted that the powerful royalty will have a weakness. "She is a beautiful, cunning and brave mix of opposites: a young woman hardened too soon by life's events, but vulnerable when it comes to love. A mercenary foe riddled with compassion for her rival," the show executive producer said.
Don't miss the return of Rachel Skarsten's Queen Elizabeth when "Reign" Season 3 premieres this fall on Oct. 9. More updates about The CW series are coming soon, so stay tuned.
