Jeremy Vine Viewers Outraged by 'Totally Ridiculous' ITV Drama Debate
Jeremy Vine viewers were left furious after the broadcaster hosted what many described as a 'totally ridiculous' debate concerning an upcoming ITV period drama. The discussion centred on reports that ITV is planning a new series exploring whether Queen Elizabeth I was transgender, with insiders warning it would 'guaranteed to anger viewers'.
Controversial Casting and Heated Exchange
It was revealed that casting directors for the drama, tentatively titled Majesty, are 'particularly keen' to hire a transgender actress for the role of the Virgin Queen. On his Channel 5 show, Jeremy Vine, 60, was joined by documentary maker Nelufar Hedayat, 38, and political commentator Peter Barnes to debate the ensuing public 'anger'.
Opening the segment, Vine provocatively asked: 'Queen Elizabeth herself may have been biologically male?' Hedayat responded: 'Yes, or certainly a hermaphrodite. There are a lot of sexes in between male and female.' She defended the casting approach, noting that unconventional casting is common in theatre, such as at Shakespeare's Globe, and argued the controversy is being sensationalised. However, she acknowledged historians' claims of historical inaccuracy.
Vine countered by questioning why similar liberties aren't taken with figures like Julius Caesar, while drawing parallels to the 2024 film Conclave, which features an intersex Pope. Barnes chimed in, fuming that the drama recasts Elizabeth's story as the 'Virgin Queen' and a powerful female leader in a way that feels like a 'double standard'.
Social Media Backlash and Defence
After the clip was shared on social media, fans quickly reacted, with many criticising the debate as promoting 'historical inaccuracy'. One viewer wrote: 'I just want to get off this planet,' while another stated: 'Portraying a real historical figure in any other way than the truth is historically inaccurate and should not be allowed. It’s just teaching the younger generations wrong information and is totally ridiculous.'
A third commented: 'This is absolutely ridiculous,' and a fourth called it 'disrespectful'. However, some defended Hedayat and the show's creators, arguing that art should explore humanity freely. One supporter penned: 'How many films/plays/performances have there been about the Tudors... How many times have those films ever portrayed anything but heteronormative casting! Getting mad about gender identity and roles in film misses the point of art.'
Background on the ITV Drama and Historical Speculation
The six-part series, first announced in 2024 and set to debut in 2027, will reportedly explore a 'profound secret' related to Elizabeth's gender, set in the court of her father, King Henry VIII. Elizabeth, who ruled from 1558 to 1603 and was known as the Virgin Queen due to having no children, has long been subject to speculation. Some historians suggest she may have had male pseudo-hermaphroditism, while others reference the Bisley Boy myth—a largely discredited theory that she died young and was replaced by a boy.
An insider noted that most historians dismiss such claims as rooted in misogyny, but admitted the theory 'captures the imagination'. They added that the drama is 'almost guaranteed to anger many viewers, who view her as one of the greatest women in British history'. ITV has not commented on the reports.
Previous Dramatisations and Historical Context
This is not the first time Elizabeth's life has been dramatised. In 2017, Channel 5 aired a docu-drama series starring former supermodel Lily Cole as the Tudor queen, presented by historians Dr Suzannah Lipscomb and Dan Jones. That series focused on the many threats Elizabeth faced, from her mother Anne Boleyn's execution to plots against her life.
Jones emphasised the seriousness of their approach, stating: 'What’s great about our series is we’re as serious about the drama as we are about the history.' Cole, who researched extensively for the role, reflected on Elizabeth's resilience: 'I tried to think about her from her perspective. I don’t think she would have thought of herself as a feminist but I do think she felt capable, smart, sure of her own merits.'
The series highlighted Elizabeth's tumultuous reign, including her escape from execution, the Spanish Armada, and the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. It portrayed her as a leader constantly under threat, challenging the glorified image of 'Gloriana'.
As the debate rages on, Jeremy Vine continues to air weekdays from 9:15am on Channel 5, often stirring controversy with its topical discussions.
