Becoming Elizabeth star Alicia Von Rittberg wears Tudor headdress as she films as Queen Elizabeth I

Becoming Elizabeth star Alicia Von Rittberg wears a gable headdress and Tudor gown as she films scenes as Queen Elizabeth I in Somerset

She’s been filming Becoming Elizabeth in Somerset over recent weeks with the period drama expected to be released in the US later this year.

And Alicia Von Rittberg was seen on the Wells Cathedral set dressed as Queen Elizabeth I on Saturday, sporting a gable headdress and Tudor gown.

Alicia, 27, kept warm between scenes in a padded jacket and looked unrecognisable with her blonde hair and eyebrows dyed golden red.

In character: Alicia Von Rittberg, 27, was seen on set dressed as Queen Elizabeth I on Saturday, sporting a gable headdress and Tudor gown

Her character’s impressive gown was visible beneath Alicia’s blue coat and featured striking lace detailing.

The star also sported a show-stopping Elizabethan necklace, with the former queen of England being known for her love of jewellery.

As Alicia prepared to film it started raining and the actress was forced to take shelter beneath an umbrella.

Extras were also photographed riding in a horse-drawn carriage.

Wow: Alicia kept warm between scenes in a padded jacket and looked unrecognisable with her blonde hair and eyebrows dyed golden red

Wow: Alicia kept warm between scenes in a padded jacket and looked unrecognisable with her blonde hair and eyebrows dyed golden red

German actress Alicia will play Queen Elizabeth I in the show, which will chart her early years.

It will follow the so-called ‘Virgin Queen’ as she becomes embroiled in political and sexual goings-on of the Tudor court before ascending the throne.

Over recent weeks, other scenes have been filmed at The Bishops Palace and also at the cathedral- including dramatic sequences featuring dead animals and severed heads, hinting an execution could be on the horizon.

The young queen was famously orphaned as a teenager after her mother, Anne Boleyn, was beheaded by her father, Henry VIII.

All in the detail: Alicia's character's impressive gown was visible beneath Alicia's blue coat and featured striking lace detailing

All in the detail: Alicia’s character’s impressive gown was visible beneath Alicia’s blue coat and featured striking lace detailing

Elizabeth was only three years old when this took place, with King Henry going on to marry his third wife (of an eventual six), Jane Seymour.

But Henry died in 1547, with Elizabeth’s younger brother Edward inheriting the throne at the tender age of nine.

He died of tuberculosis when he was 15. He had taken his half-sisters – Mary and Elizabeth – out of the line of succession, under the influence of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, resulting in Northumberland’s daughter-in-law Lady Jane Grey to reign.

Oh dear: As Alicia prepared to film it started raining, with the actress being forced to take shelter beneath an umbrella

Oh dear: As Alicia prepared to film it started raining, with the actress being forced to take shelter beneath an umbrella

This caused outrage and Lady Jane only sat on the throne for nine days before Mary took her rightful place on the throne.

Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth I in 1558 following the death of Queen Mary, and reigned for 45 years until her death in 1603. 

She famously ruled alone without a husband, earning her the nickname ‘The Virgin Queen.’ 

Extras: Extras were also snapped in high spirits while riding in a horse-drawn carriage as the rain continued

Extras: Extras were also snapped in high spirits while riding in a horse-drawn carriage as the rain continued 

Filming for the series began in December, and it boasts an all-female writing team after being created by Anya Reiss, and is expected to air on Starz in the US later this year.  

Of course this isn’t the first time Elizabeth I has been portrayed on screen with Cate Blanchett taking on the role in 1998’s Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age in 2007, with both films earning her Academy Award nominations for Best Actress.

In 2018, Margot Robbie also transformed into Elizabeth in Mary Queen of Scots, receiving a nomination for a BAFTA Award.