STARTS SUNDAY
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Armada – 12 Days to Save England
Documentary about the sinking of the Spanish Armada
Episode 1
In the first part of a major three-part drama documentary series, Anita Dobson stars as Elizabeth I, and Dan Snow takes to the sea to tell the story of how England came within a whisker of disaster in summer 1588. Newly discovered documents take us right inside the Spanish Armada for the very first time and reveal a missed opportunity that could have spelled the end of Tudor England.
Televising as follows:
Series 1 – 1. 12 Days to Save England
Sunday 24 May, 9pm
BBC Two
Series 1 – 1. 12 Days to Save England
Monday 25 May, 11:30pm
BBC Two (not Northern Ireland) Repeat
Series 1 – 1. 12 Days to Save England
Thu 28 May, 11:15pm
BBC Two Northern Ireland Repeat
Series 1 – 2. The Battle for England
Sun 31 May, 9pm
BBC Two (not Northern Ireland)
Series 1 – 2. The Battle for England
Sun 31 May, 9:30pm
BBC Two Northern Ireland
Series 1 – 2. The Battle for England
Mon 1 Jun, 11:20pm
BBC Two England Repeat
Series 1 – 2. The Battle for England
Mon 1 Jun, 11:50pm
BBC Two Scotland Repeat
Series 1 – 2. The Battle for England
Mon 1 Jun, 12:20am
BBC Two Wales Repeat
MIRROR
EastEnders Queen no longer reigns over Albert Square but she’s got a regal new role
21 May 2015 by Keeley Bolger A
nita Dobson has swapped the Queen Vic for Good Queen Bess in the new BBC drama documentary, Armada: 12 Days to Save England
It is almost 30 years since Anita Dobson ended her reign over Albert Square in EastEnders. But now the actress is back in another regal role – swapping the good old Queen Vic for Good Queen Bess. The 66-year-old actress plays Elizabeth I in a new BBC drama documentary, Armada: 12 Days to Save England.
Fans who remember her as EastEnders’ pub landlady Angie Watts in the 1980s will be shocked by her transformation into the ageing Virgin Queen. But not half as shocked as Anita, who spent four hours a day in make-up.
She revealed: “They put this substance on my face and skin and dried it gently with a hairdryer so the skin would stick into wrinkles. Then the make-up artist painted on leather spots and pockmarks. There’s a shot of me in a dressing gown and I look about 111.”
Despite this, Anita is thrilled to be following stars, including Glenda Jackson, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Helen Mirren, in portraying one of Britain’s greatest monarchs.
The two-part programme, starting on BBC2 at 9pm on Sunday (24 May), tells of the 1588 defeat of the Spanish Armada – with historian Dan Snow explaining the battle and Anita re-enacting key scenes.
Anita, married to Queen guitarist Brian May, said: “Elizabeth ruled for half a century. What an amazing achievement.” She added: “It’s a good thing that women now, like Elizabeth I, have a strong feeling of self-worth.”