The White Queen: Sunday nights just got amazing

We're a sucker for a period drama here so to say that we're getting excited about the Beeb's new Sunday night corset ripper, The White Queen, is frankly, the understatement of the year. So to whet your appetite for the forthcoming series - which starts this Sunday - read on...

Set in 1464, against the backdrop of Edward IV's reign of England, The White Queen is the BBC's new adaptation of Philippa Gregory's best-selling historical novel.

<strike>The love of my life</strike> Max Irons takes on the role of playboy King Edward IV, who after meeting widower Elizabeth Woodville, falls madly in love (and lust) with her.

Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson plays the object of his affection, Elizabeth Woodville, who when we meet her is a recent widower with two young sons.

One morning Elizabeth (a member of the recently defeated House Of Lancaster) begs the new York king, Edward IV, for mercy and to have her late husband’s land returned to her and her two sons. From what we've seen of the clip on the Beeb's website, after she makes this reasonable request King Edward goes all smouldering and mystical, rather suddenly = he thinks she is a babe.

Since you'll have to wait until the series starts to see if Edward manages to snare the affections of Elizabeth, let's see what we can deduce from the stills... Hmm. Looking pretty regal, here.

Max and Rebecca are suited and booted in this behind-the-scenes snap of The White Queen.

Our love for Max Irons has already been well-documented...

Edward IV and his cousin and comrade Lord Warwick (played by James Frain) horse around.

Looks serious, whatever may be going down here.

This doesn't look too promising for this guy...

Faye Marsay as Lord Warwick's daughter Anne Neville.

He's THINKING. Okay?

Max Irons looking a vision in quilted cream.

Lady Margaret Beaufort (played by Amanda Hale), Elizabeth Woodville and Anne Neville.

Courtiers literally falling to their knees in her presence.

"This old thing? Just something I threw on."

Looks like someone's just gotten crowned high five

Blimey jingles... She has no idea how lucky she is.

What you looking at?

Given those stares into the middle-distance, we'd say something is definitely playing on these two's minds. What exactly? You'll just have to wait until Sunday night to find out!

That is some hat.

That is still some hat.

Would.

Very Maid Marian-chic.

Who is this guy?*
*We'll find out Sunday.
Looking good, queeny!

Max Irons. Every Sunday for ten weeks. Thank you BBC.