SEE THE INSANELY MAGNIFICENT TEASER TRAILER FOR TIME TRAVELLING AND GLOBE TROTTING SF EPIC ADVENTURE VARANASI WITH MAHESH BABU AND PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS

 VARANASI TEASER 

TRAILER WILL BLOW YOUR MINDS!

An incredibly epic teaser trailer has been released for one of India's biggest movies ever VARANASI which is set to hit cinemas in 2027. with  Mahesh Babu in the lead role alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and 

The film will storm into cinemas in 2027.

Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film spans thousands of years, from ancient times to the modern day as you can see in the mind blowing trailer below. This science fiction epic action adventure film was directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who envisioned the film as a globetrotting action adventure rooted in Indian cultural themes, drawing inspiration from the structure and emotional tone of classic adventure cinema! With the insane budget of $120 million it is set to be the most expensive Indian film ever. The story of the film follows an archaeologist with traits of Lord Hanuman who sets out for a globe trotting adventure in the lush jungles of both Amazon and parts of Africa. Only destiny will tell him that there is more than this.

 

BBC TO ADAPT E.M. FORSTER'S A PASSAGE TO INDIA INTO AN EPIC NEW PERIOD SET TV SERIES

  A PASSAGE TO INDIA  

EPIC TV SERIES ADAPTATION AT BBC

The book will become a five part series

As Deadline reports today, British broadcaster BBC is set to make an epic period set five episode series out of A PASSAGE TO INDIA famous classic from E.M. Forster. Richie Mehta is writing and directing. Written exactly a hundred years ago and adapted last time back in the 80s, it is set against the backdrop of the British Raj and the Indian independence movement in the 1920s, with the story revolving around four characters: Dr. Aziz, his British friend Mr. Cyril Fielding, Mrs. Moore, and Miss Adela Quested. The series will apparently “reclaim colonial history” and “turn the novel on its head.”

VISIT THE LAVISH PALACES OF MORPUR IN NETFLIX NEW SERIES THE ROYALS WITH ISHAAN KHATTER AS A MAHARAJA

    THE ROYALS   

LAVISH NEW NETFLIX SERIES IS OUT

The Royals are out from May 9th

If you are currently in the mood for something fun and exotic, available for streaming on Netflix as of May 9th is THE ROYALS series, their new Indian original starring Ishaan KHatter, whom you remember from another Netflix series Perfect Couple which is getting a new season, as a rich maharaja! Coming straight from the royal throne of Morpur this is a coming-of-age royal rom-com filled with love, passion, and irresistible drama.

 

WHAT'S THE STORY?

 Once upon a time, in the vibrant city of Morpur, there lived a royal family with no riches of their own. Then comes a lady in shining armour who represents a world apart. Fixing the royal life becomes her only task. But managing Morpur Palace’s pauper Prince seems tougher than said. When Rajkumar's polished world collides with Aam Kumari's grit, sparks fly, egos clash, and romance blooms for this unlikely match. The Royals promises a romantic escapade filled with unexpected twists, crackling chemistry, and just the right touch of ‘will they or won’t they’? While we may have left the energy of brat summer behind, this sizzling on-screen pair is ready to turn up the heat with their rambunctious energy. Will the Rajkumar and Aam Kumari find their happily ever after? You’ll just have to tune in to find out! Check out the trailer below and tell us what you think.

 

STEPHEN FREARS TO DIRECT THE ANARCHY 18TH CENTURY SET SERIES ON EAST INDIA COMPANY BASED ON WILLIAM DALRYMPLE BESTSELLING EPIC BOOK

  THE ANARCHY SERIES  

TO BE DIRECTED BY STEPHEN FREARS

Really could not imagine a better director for it: as Variety reports, Stephen Frears is set to direct THE ANARCHY epic series, an adaptation of William Dalrymple's book “The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company”, a historical epic which chronicles how back in the 18th century the East India Company, described as a dangerously unregulated start-up operating from a small London office, executed the takeover of the entire Indian subcontinent, which at the time constituted more than one-fourth of the world’s GDP.  The series will be shot in UK and Asia for Wiip global studios.

FIRST IMAGES AND CAST REVEALED FOR FREEDOM AT MIDNIGHT HISTORICAL TV SERIES ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF INDIA

   FREEDOM AT MIDNIGHT  

INDIAN INDEPENDENCE HISTORICAL TV SERIES

India's subscription video-on-demand and streaming service SonyLIV has revealed full cast and first images from their first big original historical television series FREEDOM AT MIDNIGHT which will chart how India got its independence from the British Empire. Their most ambitious project, promising to deliver a series of unparalleled scale and impact, is based on the literary masterpiece where history is told as a thriller and captivate audiences with its narrative depth and authenticity. 

 

BASED ON THE 1975 NON FICTION BOOK

by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, the political drama delves into India’s independence movement, weaving together untold tales and critical moments from the era when the country’s then British colonial rulers partitioned the country into India and Pakistan. The series will chart the history from early calls for self-rule to the moment of independence in 1947, and delve into the motivations, conflicts and sacrifices of key figures like Gandhi, Nehru and Patel. 

WHO IS IN THE CAST?

Sidhant Gupta plays Jawaharlal Nehru, who became the first Prime Minister of independent India, Chirag Vohra is Mahatma Gandhi and Rajendra Chawla will portray Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who became the first deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. English cast includes Luke McGibney and Cordelia Bugeja who will play the last Viceroy and Vicereine of India, Lord Louis Mountbatten and Lady Edwina Mountbatten, respectively. Alistair Findlay is Archibald Wavell, the Commander-in-Chief and Viceroy of India preceding Mountbatten. Andrew Cullum brings to life Clement Attlee, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, while Richard Teverson portrays Cyril Radcliffe, the chairman of the Boundary Commission for the Partition of India.

CAST REVEALED FOR GANDHI EPIC TV SERIES TO BE LED BY PRATIK GANDHI AND TOM FELTON

 GANDHI EPIC TV SERIES

PRATIK GANDHI AND TOM FELTON TO LEAD

After India, Applause Entertainment continues shooting in London on their new epic TV series GANDHI who will be played by Pratik Gandhi (not related) and now it has been confirmed that Tom Felton will also star as Josiah Oldfield, Gandhi’s first and best friend during a period he spent in

James Murray, Pratik Gandhi and Tom Felton will star

London while studying law. Pratik's real life wife Bhamini Oza, will play Kasturba Gandhi, the Mahatma’s wife. James Murray, Jonno Davies, Molly Wright, Simon Lennon, Ralph Adeniyi, Libby Mai and Lindon

Jonno Davies, Molly Wright and Simon Lennon will also star

Alexander will also star. Hansal Mehta directed series will shed light on the lesser-known parts of Gandhi’s life, showcasing pivotal moments and formative experiences that led to the development of his famously unbreakable will and political views, which were crucial to India gaining independence from the British Empire in 1947.

FIRST TEASER FOR NETFLIX EPIC MINI SERIES HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY WITH ITS VISUAL SPLENDOR!

 NETFLIX SERIES TRAILER 

FOR HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR

Coming straight from India and Netflix is a rather magnificent and visually breathtaking teaser for their new eight episode epic mini series HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR in which Sanjay Leela Bhansali brings his majestic signature flair to stories of love and betrayal in the lives of courtesans in pre-independence India. The series stars Taha Shah Badussha, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh. 

 

WITH LAVISHLY EXPANSIVE SETS

and a dazzling array of costumes, Heeramandi tells the story of a young heir, Alam (Sharmin Segal), caught in the crossfire of a power struggle. She chooses love over succession, which disrupts the status quo. The series is set in pre-independence India against the backdrop of a burgeoning freedom movement, where the art of tawaifs, or courtesans, is put to the test. 

 

INDIA'S MOST EXPENSIVE SF EPIC EVER KALKI 2898 REVEALS WORLDWIDE RELEASE DATE

    KALKI 2898 SF EPIC   

RELEASE DATE REVEALED

Kalki hits theatres May this year

I don't often cover Indian movies but this one really looks stunning: earlier last summer a visually magnificent teaser has been released for a secretive project that has been known as Project K but has then been unveiled as KALKI 2898, a fantasy extravaganza starring some of their biggest and most popular stars  Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani! With the budget of over $75 million, it is, as Variety reports, one of the most expensive movies in India of all times. The worldwide release of the long awaited movie is now set for May 9th!

 

THE STORY FOLLOWS 

a modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces. In Hindu mythology, Kalki is the 10th and final incarnation of the god Vishnu who appears in order to end the Kali Yuga, the darkest period in mankind’s history. The film will be released around the world next May in a number of different languages, including English. Check out the magnificent teaser below:

 

SEE STUNNING TEASER FOR KALKI 2898 ONE OF INDIA'S MOST EXPENSIVE EPIC MOVIES OF ALL TIMES

STUNNING KALKI 2898 TRAILER

FOR INDIA'S EXPENSIVE SF MOVIE

I don't often cover Indian movies but this one really looks stunning: a visually magnificent teaser has been released for a secretive project that has been known as Project K but has now been unveiled as KALKI 2898, a fantasy extravaganza starring some of their biggest and most popular stars  Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani! With the budget of over $75 million, it is, as Variety reports, one of the most expensive movies in India of all times.

 

THE STORY FOLLOWS

a modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces. In Hindu mythology, Kalki is the 10th and final incarnation of the god Vishnu who appears in order to end the Kali Yuga, the darkest period in mankind’s history. The film will be released around the world next year, January 14th, 2024 in a number of different languages, including English. Check out the teaser below:

PERIOD SET HINDI MOVIES: VENICE SET MAGICAL ADVENTURE RADHE SHYAM AND JOGI DRAMA SET AFTER THE 1980'S ASSASSINATION OF INDIRA GANDHI

  HINDI MOVIES TO WATCH  

BEAUTIFUL RADHE SHYAM

Although this is definitely a historical weekend dedicated to the launch of LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER, the most expensive epic TV series the world has ever seen, which was already watched by record

Radhe Shyam is available on Netflix

breaking 25 million people just on Friday, I will entertain you today with two period set movies from India, starting with RADHE SHYAM a romantic drama which aired in cinemas this March, but is available for streaming both on Prime Video and Netflix.

 

IN 1976 Vikramaditya, a palmist and disciple of Paramahamsa, predicts to Indian Prime Minsiter Indira Gandhi that soon she will declare emergency in the country. The prediction comes true and he becomes famous but has to leave the country never the less. Two years later Vikramaditya is a renowned palmist in Italy and loves to travel all over. He returns to his house after a long time to be with his mother and friend Vedant. During a train journey he meets Prerna and falls for her. Once Vikramaditya predicts future to a businessman Mahendra Rajput, for which he is not ready. His men chase him down the road where he ends up in an accident and lands in the hospital where Prerna works as a doctor. Vikramaditya and Prerna fall in love but her uncle asks her to stay away from him. Once while traveling in a train Vikramaditya finds that all passengers in it have short life and the train will have an accident. He tries to save them but in vain. Prerna starts to believe in his predictions and asks him to check her palm and collapses in his arms. Her uncle tells Adithya that Prerna is suffering from rare tumor and has few months to live. But Vikramaditya tells that he has seen Prerna's palm and that she has long life ahead and that his prediction have never gone wrong.

 

JOGI MOVIE DRAMA

Also available on Netflix is another Hindi historical drama JOGI out September 16th! Set amid tension in 1980s India, this movie follows three friends of different faiths who unite in a noble yet dangerous effort to save hundreds in their town. The film depicts the riots that took place after the assassination of the third Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, by her Sikh bodyguard. After the incident, an Anti-Sikh Riot was started resulting in the death of 2,800 Sikhs in Delhi and 3,350 Sikhs nationwide! Popular Indian actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh leads the cast.

WORLD'S MOST INFAMOUS DIAMOND KOHINOOR GETTING ITS OWN EPIC TV SAGA BASED ON A BOOK BY WILLIAM DALRYMPLE! SBS UNVEILS ITS MOST AMBITIOUS EPIC TV SERIES EVER NEW GOLD MOUNTAIN

  KOH-I-NOOR DIAMOND  

GETTING ITS OWN TV SERIES

Koel Purie Rinchet is producing!

Earlier this summer I announced that William Dalrymple's THE ANARCHY book on the rise of the East India company will be turned into a TVseries and now another of his books KOHINOOR: The History Of World's Most Infamous Diamond, written together with Anita Anand, will get a series adaptation too by 185 Carat Films from Mumbai! The book describes the winding true story of the Indian diamond, the 27th largest in the world, which is currently part of the British Crown Jewels. The precious stone changed hands between various factions in south and west Asia, until being ceded to Queen Victoria after the British annexation of the Punjab in 1849. The diamond has inspired much folklore over the decades and has become a

Dalrymple's Anarchy is also becoming a series

symbol of power as it passed from one royal to another. 

 

    This famous and cursed diamond wreaked untold devastation as it was viciously ripped from one royal hand to another. It has ended up in its final home, the Tower of London, after being gruesomely wrested from the hands of its last owner, a nine year old Maharaja. Television has never witnessed a historical story of this magnitude, where bloodshed, love, sex, intrigue, beauty and cruelty all come together to create a layered narrative. This story, rooted in South Asia and traversing countries like Afghanistan and Iran, has a unique international appeal. It is a timely story of greed, power and appropriation regardless of cost.

  NEW GOLD MOUNTAIN  

EPIC TV SERIES FROM AUSTRALIA

Speaking of epic drama, Australian streamer SBS has revealed first photo from their most ambitious drama ever - four part epic series NEW GOLD MOUNTAIN starring Mulan and Luminaries’ Yoson An alongside

Yoson An and Alyssa Sutherland are leading the cast

Vikings’ Alyssa Sutherland, Christopher James Baker and Dan Spielman! It tells the untold story of the Australian gold rush from the perspective of Chinese miners who risked everything for a chance at unlikely fortune in a new land.

FREIDA PINTO TO LEAD PERIOD SET TV SERIES THE HENNA ARTIST BASED ON ALKA JOSHI'S INDIA SET NOVEL! PINOCCHIO UK TRAILER AND POSTER WITH ROBERTO BENIGNI

     FREIDA PINTO TO LEAD

HENNA ARTIST TV ADAPTATION

While we are waiting for William Dalrymple's The Anarchy to be turned into an epic TV series and for ITV to air The Singapore Grip, another exotic

The series will be produced by Miramax

series has just been announced: as Deadline writes today, Freida Pinto has optioned TV rights on THE HENNA ARTIST novel by Alka Joshi with an aim to produce it and star in it. The story revolves around 17 year old Lakshmi, who escapes from an abusive marriage and makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There, she becomes the most highly requested henna artist — and confidante — to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she never can reveal her own. It is a beautiful story of independence, family, heartbreak and success, led by a captivating heroine with an indomitable spirit! Michael Edelstein will executive produce.

     'PINOCCHIO' TRAILER

IS A LITTLE BIT TOO CREEPY

You can also check out a British poster for latest Italian big screen adaptation of PINOCCHIO in which Oscar winner Roberto Benigni plays Geppetto ! The live-action adaptation of the classic story of a wooden puppet

Pinocchio is airing throughout Europe this Summer and Autumn

named Pinocchio who comes to life, already aired in Italian cinemas last winter but will hit different European cinemas throughout summer and autumn. It arrived in UK this week.

BBC RELEASES TRAILER AND AIRING DATE FOR THEIR SPRAWLING INDIA SET TV SAGA A SUITABLE BOY BASED ON VIKRAM SETH'S CLASSIC NOVEL

  'A SUITABLE BOY' TRAILER

FOR NEW BBC'S INDIA SET SERIES

Although it was expected this spring or at the end of the year, BBC has decided to launch their all Indian period set series A SUITABLE BOY this month July 26th (there might be a clash with ITV's Singapore Grip on Sunday

A Suitable Boy will start airing July 26th, Sunday, on BBC One

nights). You can check out the trailer for the six episode small screen adaptation of Vikram Seth's novel directed by Mira Nair and written by War and Peace and Les Miserables scribe Andrew Davies.

A Suitable Boy Tells The Story
of spirited university student Lata (Tanya Maniktala); coming of age in North India in 1951 at the same time as the country is carving out its own identity as an independent nation and is about to go to the polls for its first

Tabu, who plays a courtesan, is a massive star in India

democratic general election. Lata’s mother is determined to find her a husband – a suitable boy – but Lata, torn between family duty and

Vikram Seth's book is considered one of the longest in English language

the excitement of romance, embarks on her own, epic journey of love and self-discovery. Connected to Lata through their siblings’ marriage, the wayward

The series will air in six hourlong episodes this summer

Maan (Ishaan Khatter) is determined to enjoy life to the full whatever the consequences, much to the concern of his politician father. But could his infatuation with beautiful courtesan Saaeda Bai (Tabu) be one step too far?

The whole series was shot entirely in India featuring an all Indian cast

Their stories play out during a tumultuous period for India and reflect the wider conflict between tradition and modernity at the time, as the election looms and the country decides its destiny.

JUDE LAW IS CAPTAIN HOOK IN DISNEY'S PETER PAN AND WENDY! MIRA NAIR TO DIRECT JUNGLE PRINCE OF DELHI TV SERIES FOR NETFLIX

 'PETER PAN & WENDY'

JUDE LAW IS CAPTAIN HOOK

I don't, for the life of me, know why would anyone want another adaptation of Peter Pan, especially as all the recent ones were deadly dreary

Jude Law has been offered the role of Captain Hook

and ghastly suffocating, but for some reason Hollyweird is making another PETER PAN AND WENDY movie and they don't give a damn what we think. But at least Captain Hook will be good as they've just cast Jude Law in the role. Disney is making a live action remake of their 1953 animated movie with David Lowery at the helm and with the story based on JM Barrie’s novel about the free spirited Peter Pan who takes Wendy Darling and her siblings John and Michael to Neverland, a magical land where children never grow up. Earlier this year it has been announced that British actor Alexander Molony will play Peter Pan, while newcomer Ever Anderson is set to become Wendy.

  'THE JUNGLE PRINCE OF DELHI'

TO BECOME NETFLIX TV SERIES

Maybe sounding a bit more fun is new TV series project over at Netflix who have hired Mira Nair to direct an international TV series adaptation of THE JUNGLE PRINCE OF DELHI, the New York Times exposé about the fake royal family of Oudh! As Deadline reports, the movie will bring us the

Prince Cyrus, left, and princess Sakina, with a man servant in Delhi, 1998

story of the eccentric royal family of Oudh, deposed aristocrats living in a ruined palace in the Indian capital, claiming to be the heirs to a fallen kingdom. Written by Ellen Barry, it turns out that Prince Cyrus, who claimed to be a member of the Muslim kingdom captured by the British East India company in the 19th century was in fact Mickey Butt, the son of the registrar of Lucknow University.

WILLIAM DALRYMPLE'S EPIC SAGA THE ANARCHY ON THE RISE OF EAST INDIA COMPANY TO BECOME HISTORICAL TV SERIES! ANEURIN BARNARD JOINS ALEX PETTYFER ON A TRIP TO CAMBODIA IN HUNTERS IN THE DARK

   'THE ANARCHY' SERIES

ON EVIL EAST INDIA COMPANY

While we wait for A Suitable Boy, Singapore Grip, Black Narcissus and Far Pavilions, the work on another exotic series has been announced yesterday:Siddharth Roy Kapur, the president of the Producers Guild of

Anarchy will be turned into epic TV saga

India, has bought TV rights to THE ANARCHY: The Relentless Rise Of The East India Company,  epic novel by William Dalrymple! Spanning more than 200 years, the 2019 best seller describes how the infamous East India Company rose to prominence against the decline and fall of the storied Mughal Empire. It provides a remarkable account of how a provincial trading start-up, run by thirty people from an office only five windows wide in a nondescript London building, became rulers of an entire sub-continent; in the process establishing the richest and most powerful empire in the history of the world. Kapur is currently in the process of finding a mix of Western and Indian writers for the series.

   'HUNTERS IN THE DARK'

SENDS ALEX PETTYFER AND ANEURIN BARNARD TO CAMBODIA

Aneurin Barnard has join the cast

Speaking of exotic settings, Deadline reports that Aneurin Barnard will join Alex Pettyfer in Cambodia set HUNTERS IN THE DARK movie which is being offered to buyers at this week's Cannes virtual market (new Three Musketeers movie pitch is also in offer there). Elodie Yung will also star in the film which tells the story of 28 year old English school teacher Robert Grieve (Pettyfer), who unexpectedly wins a bag full of cash. Adrift in Cambodia and eager for a way out of his life of quiet desperation, he decides to take a journey deeper into the wilder aspects of the country, coming up against a scheming American, a

Alex Pettyfer is set to take the lead role in the film

crooked police officer and a darker side of Cambodia. Director Simon Evans has also hired famous cinematographer Christopher Doyle to work with him on the movie.

BBC RELEASES FIRST PHOTOS FROM VIKRAM SETH'S TV ADAPTATION A SUITABLE BOY PERIOD SET SAGA WITH AN ALL INDIAN CAST!

      'A SUITABLE BOY'

 BBC RELEASES FIRST PHOTOS

While their latest drama World of the Worlds, which just ended last night, has been proclaimed ghastly boring by the UK audience, BBC has revealed today first photos from their new all Indian series A SUITABLE

Maan (Ishaan Khatter) and Saeeda Bai (Tabu)

BOY an adaptation of Vikram Seth's novel. The six part series tells the story of spirited university student Lata (Tanya Maniktala); coming of age in North India in 1951 at the same time as the country is carving out its own

Lata (Tanya Maniktala) and Mrs Rupa Mehra (Mahira Kakkar)

identity as an independent nation and is about to go to the polls for its first democratic general election. It is a vast, panoramic tale charting the fortunes of four large families and exploring India and its rich and varied culture at a crucial point in its history.

STUNNING POSTERS AND TRAILER FOR HISTORICAL EPIC THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI WITH DEREK JACOBI, RUPERT EVERETT, NATHANIEL PARKER, BEN LAMB, DEVIKA BHISE

'WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI'

The film is out in India this November

WHO FOUGHT AND DIED FOR THE
FREEDOM OF HER PEOPLE

I've written about this one a couple of times over the years, but now it is finally getting into cinemas with November set as the release month for THE WARRIOR QUEEN OF JHANSI previously known as Swords and Sceptres, which boasts a rather strong British cast led by Derek Jacobi as Lord Palmerston, Rupert Everett as Sir

She was the queen of Jhansi in mid 19th century

Hugh Rose, Nathaniel Parker as Sir Robert Hamilton and Jodhi May as evil Queen Victoria herself!

The Warrior Queen Of Jhansi 
 also starring Ben Lamb and directed by female director Swati Bhise (the producer of Dev Patel's The Man Who Knew Infinity), is a sweeping historical tale of women's empowerment, which brings the true story of Lakshmibai (played by Indian star Devika Bhise whom you have watched before in The Accidental Husband and The Man Who Knew Infinity with Dev Pathel and Jeremy Irons), the historic

She died aged 30 in the battle with 5,000 of her soldiers

Queen of Jhansi who fiercely led her army against the British East India Company in the infamous mutiny of 1857. From Queen Elizabeth to Queen Victoria, two-and a half centuries of East India Company rule will be reversed by its attempt to crush India's Warrior Queen. Lakshmibai is known as one of the most prominent figures within the independence movement of India. The passion to free her province from colonial rule led this young woman to become one of the greatest generals of the Indian army and to go down in history for her bravery, strategic acumen, and as a force to reckon with by the East India Company and the British Raj. The Warrior Queen of Jhansi is the story of the woman who lived, fought and died for the freedom of her people.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on another great female ruler!