Miniserie que muestra los reinos turbulentos y sangrientos de los monarcas escoceses Mary, reina de Escocia y su hijo, el rey James VI de Escocia, que se convirtió en el rey James I de Inglaterra y frustró el complot de la pólvora.
It is the late sixteenth century and Elizabeth I is the protestant Queen of England. Her cousin Mary returns from France to Scotland and is hailed as Mary Queen of Scots, a catholic queen. She is a threat to Elizabeth as she has a claim to the throne of England.
Mary's son James finally succeeds to the English and Scottish throne after the death of the childless Elizabeth but is faced with growing discontent from the Catholics culminating in an attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the houses of Parliament and kill the king.