Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) becomes Queen of England amid much turmoil. The previous monarch, Queen Mary, Elizabeth's half-sister, was Catholic. However, Elizabeth is Protestant. This is cause for a great deal of plotting and political intrigue by those who wish England to remain Catholic. There is also controversy due to the fact that Elizabeth is unmarried and therefore, without an heir. Although many noble men vie for Elizabeth's hand, none are men that she could love or trust. Elizabeth does have affection for Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes), but, unfortunately, he isn't of suitable class for her to marry. The Virgin Queen, as she becomes known, suffers through years of loneliness and unhappiness but becomes one of England's greatest rulers.