Charles II: The Power and The Passionchevron_right

S01E04: Episode Four

The trail leads to the squalid but charismatic Titus Oates, whose accusations take in every eminent Catholic, including James and Queen Catharine herself. In the atmosphere of panic, a witch-hunt ensues and Charles is powerless to save the many innocent people whose lives are blighted by Oates's lies. Charles's position is further weakened when Parliament obtains letters alluding to the treaties with France. As Shaftesbury pushes for the exclusion of James as Charles's heir, Charles responds by sending Monmouth, the Protestant candidate, abroad. Charles dissolves Parliament to rule as an absolute Monarch and asserts James's right to the Throne, exiling Monmouth permanently. Charles lives out the final years of his reign in relative peace, yet he is profoundly conscious of the chaos that will ensue after his death. In a prescient moment, he advises William of Orange to prepare himself; both Monmouth and James will try and fail to rule England. In a final, ironic gesture, Charles rep

Genres:

Drama

Air Date:

Dec 07, 2003

Runtime:

60 minutes

Production:

BBC , A+E Studios

Casts:

Rufus Sewell, Rupert Graves, Charlie Creed-Miles, Christian Coulson, Shirley Henderson, Mélanie Thierry, Tabitha Wady, Jochum ten Haaf, Graham McTavish, Robert Cavanah, Shaun Dingwall, Nick Bagnall, Helen McCrory