So to get two such roles in new TV series Dune: Prophecy was a delight for award winners Emily Watson and Olivia Williams.
"I met Olivia when we first got the parts, and we went to the National Portrait Gallery," recalls Emily, 57.
"We sat in front of portraits of Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Bloody Mary, Lady Jane Grey - all those women who lived in that terrifying time in British history where it was really a police state, and everybody wanted to kill or marry you.
"Both of those were a route to power," continues Emily, who plays older sister Valya to Olivia's Tula Harkonnen in the sci-fi series, a prequel set 10,000 years before the events of the 2021 film Dune, which was based on Frank Herbert's novel of the same name.
"The received notion that we have, that it's a glorious era of English history, is entirely because the narrative was utterly controlled. And that's what these two women do.
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TWO BRITISH ACTING GREATS EMILY WATSON AND OLIVIA WILLIAMS TOGETHER ON SCREEN AT LAST TO STAR IN 'DUNE: PROPHECY'
It's rare to see a show in which a mature actress plays someone in a position of power.
AS HE THRILLS FILM FANS IN 'GLADIATOR II' DENZEL WASHINGTON ON HIS BUSIEST TIME AT 69 AND HIS HOLLYWOOD FAMILY DYNASTY
The cinema-going world might be thrilled by Denzel Washington's powerful performance in Gladiator II, but it's a much smaller project that occupies the space closest to his heart.
INSPIRING PHOTOGRAPHER WHO CAPTURED ROYAL HEARTS LIZ HATTON THE PRINCESS OF WALES LEADS TRIBUTES TO 'BRAVE AND HUMBLE' TEENAGER SHE MET AT WINDSOR CASTLE
The Prince and Princess of Wales paid a touching tribute to young photographer Liz Hatton after she died of cancer last week.
TAKING A BREAK TO RECOVER FROM SHOCK BRAIN SURGERY DAVINA MCCALL THANKS LOVED ONES AND REASSURES FANS AS SHE RECUPERATES AT HOME
Davina McCall has said she is feeling \"stronger and stronger\" every day as she recovers from surgery to remove a \"very rare\" benign brain tumour.
AS STUNNING NEW ROYAL PORTRAITS ARE REVEALED KING FELIPE VI AND QUEEN LETIZIA OF SPAIN ARE CAPTURED IN ALL THEIR OPULENT GLORY BY LEGENDARY PHOTOGRAPHER ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have been captured by world-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz for new official portraits, in what is a momentous year for the Spanish royals.
AS FESTIVE COUNTDOWN BEGINS HIGHGROVE AT CHRISTMAS ROYALS DECK THE HALLS AND REMEMBER THE QUEEN'S DOG BETH
Kicking off the Christmas countdown with an array of colourful decorations, the King and Queen's private home has been transformed for the festive season.
PREPARING FOR A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES LOOK FORWARD TO FESTIVE FAMILY.FUN AFTER THEIR DIFFICULT YEAR
Christmas is \"one of my favourite times of the year\", wrote the Princess of Wales in a letter shared with guests ahead of her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey - and as they gather around the Christmas tree this year with their beloved children, she and her husband the Prince will have much to be grateful for.
HITTING THE TARGET AS HE TRIES HIS HAND AS A SNIPER THE PRINCE OF WALES DRESSES THE PART TO SHOW SUPPORT IN 'SPECIAL' VISIT TO WELSH GUARDS
The Prince of Wales was fully kitted out to show his support for the armed forces last week, donning camouflage gear and a beret as he recognised the royal demands made of the Welsh Guards in recent times.
AS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO TURNING 80 SIR ROD STEWART WE SALUTE THE STAR'S SEVEN DECADES OF DEFIANTLY FLAMBOYANT STYLE
He turns 80 next month, but Sir Rod Stewart shows no sign of letting his sartorial crown slip as he approaches his landmark birthday, still shimmying around in a variety of flamboyant outfits that have been his trademark ever since he first found fame.
JOINED BY WIFE AYDA ON THE RED CARPET ROBBIE WILLIAMS FAMOUS FRIENDS - AND EX NICOLE SHOW SUPPORT FOR NEW FILM
It was a special night for Robbie Williams as he walked the red carpet with his wife Ayda Field Williams at the Odeon Luxe in London's Leicester Square for the premiere of his new film Better Man, a semi-biographical movie about the singer's rollercoaster life.
