EILEEN (ORIGINAL NAME DEAMADRELL, DRELL IS ROYAL TAG) - Maureen Lipman

Handsome, determined, courageous, stubborn, magically powerful, roughly the equivalent of a late middle aged woman when we meet her on earth.  Happily married, devoted to her family, loathes her son-in-law, still enjoys sex with Derek, has robust sense of humour and is equally capable of killing a dragon as playing peek-a-boo with her beloved grandson.  Want someone who can portray all that accurately and who is also the right age.  Loathes Brankaresh.  Sees him as the ambitious toad he is.


THE FAIRY QUEEN (ROXANNADRELL)  -  Sophia Miles

Gorgeous, all powerful, generally honourable and committed to democracy but when panic-stricken due to her brief overthrow capable of forgetting that and doing almost anything to get her own way.  Can convince herself easily it’s all for the good of the Kingdom.  Significantly younger than Eileen.  Envies Eileen to a certain extent.  The Queen cannot defect and do what she wants.  Also in awe of Eileen’s abilities and courage. Eileen’s reputation is outstanding and justified.  Queen realises she has to manipulate Eileen to get anywhere with her.  Fortunately for the Queen, the monarch finds she has a talent for doing this, a talent her cousin resents.


THE CHIEF WITCH -  Prunella Scales

Needs to be someone capable of playing a character who is thoughtful, courageous, hates injustice and  yet can be totally evil.  The Witch is probably the most interesting character I’ve invented as she can see how Eileen has always tried to be fair to her and doesn’t really want to have to kill Eileen but knows she will have to at some point.  The Witch unleashes violence to suit her purposes but it is never mindless.  She knows exactly what she’s doing and why, which is why she’s so dangerous.


BRANKARESH, CHIEF WIZARD -  Alan Cummings

Needs someone who can play slimy convincingly.  Saw Cummings in a James Bond and was riveted.  Brankaresh is clever, ambitious, sly and a useful man to have on board as far as the Queen’s concerned.  The big problem is he really doesn’t believe women can rule alone and wants to become her consort and get access to all those lovely powers only the fairy royals have.  He knows how to play the game.  Does not like the Queen developing her own mind, greater skills in carrying out her role on her own and loathes Eileen who he knows sees right through him.  He also knows how to play the Council and has most of them in his pocket.  Knows he can’t bribe L’Evallier or Rodish though and has earmarked them for murder later...