David Tennant's Mary, Queen Of Scots Character Revealed

Last week it was reported that David Tennant would be joining stars Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie in the new Focus Features and Working Title movie, Mary, Queen Of Scots.

The film follows the early life of Mary Stuart, who became Queen of France at 16 and a widow aged 18. It will also explore her relationship with Elizabeth I, rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world. Mary's claim to the English throne, her determination to rule as more than a figurehead is a threat to Elizabeth's sovereignty.

It has now been announced that David will take on the role as John Knox, who
was a Scottish minister, theologian, and writer who was a leader of the country's Reformation. He is the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. He is believed to have been educated at the University of St Andrews and worked as a notary-priest. Influenced by early church reformers such as George Wishart, he joined the movement to reform the Scottish church. He was caught up in the ecclesiastical and political events that involved the murder of Cardinal David Beaton in 1546 and the intervention of the regent of Scotland Mary of Guise.

The film, which has already begun shooting, marks the feature directorial debut of Josie Rourke, the artistic director at the Donmar Warehouse, who also directed David in the 2011 stage production of Much Ado About Nothing.

Mary, Queen Of Scots is scheduled for release in 2018.