Who's Who Queen Mary Edward VII King George V Mr. Hansell Lloyd George Lalla Stamfordham Queen Alexandra of Denmark Asquith Prince John Queen Mary played by Miranda Richardson The emotionally repressed mother of Prince John. A fundamentally inhibited character, she is a loving mother but has great difficulty communicating with her son. Miranda Richardson has gained a towering reputation for a number of films, including Tom and Viv, Dance with a Stranger, The Crying Game, Enchanted April, Damage, Empire of the Sun, The Apostle and Spider (Official Selection, Cannes 2002), as well as the unforgettable Queenie in the BBC's Blackadder. The actress clearly loved playing Queen Mary, and heaps praise on writer-director Stephen Poliakoff. "I love his dramas because they always contain so much subtext. He allows the backstory to come through, and as an actor you can really inhabit his world." This is not the first regal character she has portrayed. "I've played a lot of queens in my time. They're probably all bonkers, but there is no other common link. They're all totally different characters." Richardson's recent roles include that of Queen Rosalind in the Julia Stiles vehicle, The Prince and Me (2004). Upcoming parts include roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, both scheduled for 2005 US releases. back to top Lalla played by Gina McKee Johnnie's devoted nanny. Utterly committed to her charge, she never leaves his side and ensures that his family cannot ignore him. Gina McKee has carved out a hugely successful career with roles in television dramas such as Our Friends in the North, The Forsyte Saga and The Blackwater Lightship and such films as Wonderland, Notting Hill, Croupier and The Reckoning. The actress lauds Stephen Poliakoff 's script for The Lost Prince. "As with all good writing, this screenplay can be interpreted in so many different ways. Stephen is saying, 'Here is my vision of the Royal Family at that time, make your own judgments about it.' He has managed to portray the complexity of the Royal household through living, breathing, three-dimensional characters. That's what makes it such a superior drama." back to top Edward VII played by Michael Gambon Prince John's grandfather. He is bluff and plain-spoken, with an unmistakable affection for the grandson who will often blurt out home truths others are too genteel to articulate. Michael Gambon has starred in such memorable television dramas as Perfect Strangers, The Singing Detective, Wives and Daughters, Longitude and Maigret, and films Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, Dancing at Lughnasa and The Insider. Gambon has won three consecutive Best Actor BAFTA Awards for Wives and Daughters, Longitude and Perfect Strangers. "What is marvelous is that they were all such different parts," he enthuses. "It's great to have that variety in your career. I'd hate to be in a sitcom or a soap. I'd go mad and start mucking around after a week and they'd sack me." Gambon's forthcoming movies include Being Julia, in which he stars opposite Annette Bening and Jeremy Irons (October 2004 release) and The Life Aquatic, with Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Cate Blanchette (December 2004). back to top Stamfordham played by Bill Nighy The King's brilliantly adept Private Secretary, a man who proves a rock for George V as the monarchy is shaken by cataclysmic change. Bill Nighy has enjoyed starring roles in such films as Love Actually, Shaun of the Dead, Lawless Heart (which also stars Tom Hollander), Still Crazy, Alive and Kicking and on television in Longitude, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, State of Play, The Canterbury Tales, and Masterpiece Theatre's upcoming He Knew He Was Right. He can be seen in the much-anticipated Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) with John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Mos Def and Zooey Deschanel. back to top King George V played by Tom Hollander The deeply conflicted soul who is Johnnie's father. Tom Hollander has made his name with impressive roles in such diverse films as The Lawless Heart, Gosford Park and Possession and on television in Masterpiece Theatre's Wives and Daughters and Absolutely Fabulous. Hollander was also acclaimed for his role opposite Liam Neeson on Broadway in The Judas Kiss. Upcoming films include Pride and Prejudice opposite fellow Masterpiece Theatre alumni Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen and Judi Dench. back to top Queen Alexandra of Denmark played by Bibi Andersson The sprightly, spirited queen to King Edward VII. Bibi Andersson has had an outstanding career, starring in many of Ingmar Bergman's finest movies: Smiles of a Summer Night, The Seventh Seal, So Close to Life, Wild Strawberries, The Face, The Devil's Eye, Now About These Women, Persona, A Passion, The Touch and Scenes from a Marriage. She has also had leading roles in such memorable pictures as Duel at Diablo, An Enemy of the People, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden and Babette's Feast. Andersson is eternally modest and refuses to pick out favorites. "I hate to select just one piece of work. I've done lots of good stuff in the theatre but no one remembers that! I'd rather leave the past in the past and concentrate on the future." back to top Mr. Hansell played by John Sessions Johnnie's personal tutor. Cooped up with his pupil in a remote cottage on the Sandringham Estate, the teacher becomes increasingly frustrated by the sense of confinement and isolation. Scottish actor John Sessions has had standout roles in such diverse productions as Gangs of New York, Gormenghast, Stella Street, Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Princess Caraboo. back to top Asquith played by Frank Finlay The astute Prime Minister with a rather condescending attitude towards the Royal Family. Frank Finlay is known for starring roles in such memorable films as Othello, Cromwell, Stiff Upper Lips, The Molly Maguires and Roman Polanski's The Pianist. back to top Lloyd George played by Ron Cook The politician who mingled with the Royal Family without ever fully letting them in on Government secrets. Ron Cook has starred in many productions ranging from Secrets and Lies, Chocolat, 24-Hour Party People and Topsy-Turvy to Bramwell, Dead Gorgeous, The Hound of the Baskervilles and Tom Jones. back to top Prince John played by Matthew Thomas aged nine to fourteen. Matthew Thomas played Kipper in a production of Oliver! in front of an audience of 2,000 at The London Palladium. He has also had roles in films Billy Elliot with Jamie Bell, About a Boy with Hugh Grant and the part of Carl, an out-of-control vandal in The Bill. Production Notes | Creating The Lost Prince | Family Tree The Insider! Lost Royals! | Who's Who | Russell Baker Story Synopses | Links + Bibliography | The Forum Home | About The Series | The American Collection | The Archive Schedule & Season | Feature Library | eNewsletter | Book Club Learning Resources | Forum | Search | Shop | Feedback ©