Stage Beauty 2004

As the esteemed actor Ned Kynaston (Billy Crudup), renowned for his captivating portrayals of female characters, including the iconic Desdemona in Othello, struggles to maintain his grip on stardom, his trusty dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), harbors a secret passion - a burning desire to tread the boards of legitimate theatre. Alas, her aspirations are stifled by a draconian law, which prohibits women from taking part in theatrical productions. Undeterred, Maria assumes the pseudonym Margaret Hughes and wins acclaim at a local tavern, where she charms audiences with her novelty as a woman performing on stage.

The attention garnered by Maria’s performances eventually catches the eye of Sir Charles Sedley (Richard Griffiths), who offers his patronage. She is subsequently introduced to King Charles II (Rupert Everett), further solidifying her status as a rising star in the theatre world. Meanwhile, Nell Gwynn (Zoë Tapper), an aspiring actress and the King’s mistress, becomes entangled in a scandalous plot to ban men from playing female roles on stage. The decree, orchestrated by Gwynn, sends Kynaston reeling as he finds himself bereft of his signature guise - the ability to play women.

As the once-illustrious actor is forced to confront his new reality, his lover, George Villiers (Ben Chaplin), the Duke of Buckingham, reveals a shocking lack of intention to engage in a same-sex relationship. Kynaston’s social standing crumbles amidst whispers of their supposed association. Reduced to performing bawdy songs in drag at music halls, Maria’s star continues to rise as she defies her limitations and becomes a celebrated performer. However, despite her success, she remains acutely aware of the disparity between her own abilities and those of Kynaston, whom she believes never truly fought like a woman would.

When Maria is called upon to perform for the King, her nerves get the better of her, prompting her friends to seek the guidance of Kynaston. In a surprising turn of events, he agrees to coach her in order to revive his own flagging theatrical career - with one condition: that he supplant Thomas Betterton as Othello. As Maria’s star continues to shine brighter than ever before, Kynaston embarks on a journey to reclaim his place among the theatre elite.