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The Palace

Drama

The Palace was a British drama television series that aired on ITV in 2008. Produced by Company Pictures for the ITV network, it was created by Tom Grieves and follows a fictional British Royal Family in the aftermath of the death of King James III and the succession of his 24-year-old son, Richard IV, played by Rupert Evans. It also stars Jane Asher and Zoe Telford. The series was filmed on location in Lithuania in 2007 and broadcast from January to March 2008. It was axed after one series due to low viewing figures.

Jan 14, 20081 seasons8 episodesEndedEN

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Zoe Telford

Abigail Thomas

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Jane Asher

Queen Charlotte

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Roy Marsden

Sir Iain Ratalick

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Rupert Evans

King Richard IV

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Sophie Winkleman

Princess Eleanor

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Lorcan Cranitch

Jonty Roberts

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David Harewood

Major Simon Brooks

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Fiona Button

Lucy Bedford

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Sebastian Armesto

Prince George

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Seasons

Season 1

8 episodes

Premiered Jan 14, 2008

Episodes

1–6 of 8

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Ep 1

Episode 1

Jan 14, 2008

When, King James dies while at the theatre, life at Buckingham Palace is turned upside down and everyone looks to Richard to take to his duty as the new King of England. However not everyone is pleased with the new monarch because, Princess Eleanor believes that she deserves the crown more and should be Queen, so she sets out with her private secretary to discredit Richard. But it's not only Eleanor who's worried that Richard is not up to the job even the country has its doubts and all is revealed in a live interview.

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Ep 2

Episode 2

Jan 21, 2008

When Prince George is involved in a hit & run accident, the palace does their best to try and cover it up not just from the country but also the King. However, their efforts are ruined when Princess Eleanor finds out the truth and decides that she can use it to her advantage, so she tells Richard the truth but makes him promise to George that he'll help cover it up because, in her mind she believes that by doing this she can use it later on to discredit the King and help her in her campaign to become Queen.

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Ep 3

Episode 3

Jan 28, 2008

Richard has tough decisions to make about George, the repercussions of which could result in a spell in prison for his brother. And Abi discovers the identity of the King's secret lover.

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Ep 4

Episode 4

Feb 4, 2008

Abigail’s face is splashed across the front pages. It’s embarrassing and she is being hounded by the press at home. Sir Iain, however, is suspicious of her. Why did the King visit her at her home? What were they discussing that late at night? When Simon manages to get the identity of the King’s lover from Abi, he tells Eleanor who in turn tells a Sunday newspaper who prepare to splash the story that weekend. In order to spike the story, the PM and Sir Iain go to Richard with a plan – they will tell the world that Abi is the King’s lover and, as a result, be able to keep the affair with Miranda secret. But will Richard be able to go through with it?

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Ep 5

Episode 5

Feb 11, 2008

Eleanor presents her mother with a controversial diamond necklace taken from the Raj but one with great sentimental value to Charlotte. During the high-profile exchange of gifts Richard is happy to see his Mother finally arrive. But Sir Iain notes that she’s wearing the rock and the Indians aren’t going to be pleased. The next day’s papers demand the diamond be returned to India. Sir Iain is infuriated at the damage this could do for diplomatic and political relations- there’s a lot riding on the success of the visit. Richard is unhappy with the dry Foreign office speech. Abi makes it clear that keeping the diamond isn’t an option Ð although the choice is his. He’s worried about Charlotte and asks her to re-write it for him. Abi suggests he change the speech to honour his mother Ð but Richard wonders if he should be giving it back at all.

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Ep 6

Episode 6

Feb 18, 2008

In Clarence House, Eleanor sits up terrified in her bed as an intruder tells her she’s beautiful. Natalie, Eleanor’s dresser passes Simon on the staircase. The intruder tells Eleanor he’s touched her skin before, can he do it again? Eleanor is frozen with fear. Natalie creeps in and cries out, almost pulling Eleanor out of harms way. She dives on the intruder. Police officers rush in. Alice confesses to Abi that she’s loved Richard ever since Gymkhana camp. She asks Abi to help her get closer, but Alice finds Abi more unhelpful than promised. She questions their closeness, is there something between Richard and Abi? Desperate to prove there isn’t, Abi wangles her an invite to Neil’s supposedly private wedding.

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