This epic five part drama documentary series explores the private dilemmas of the Queen during critical periods that were turning points both in her life and in the history of the world.

The Queen is played by a different actress in every episode, each lasting an hour and illustrating a pivotal moment in the monarch's life. Emilia Fox, who starred in Silent Witness leads the cast, along with Samantha Bond, best known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films, Susan Jameson from New Tricks, Barbara Flynn (Cranford) and Diana Quick (Brideshead Revisited). The series also features The Tudors' Katie McGrath who plays a young Princess Margaret.

The series takes us into the heavily guarded walls of Buckingham Palace and looks behind the different periods in The Queen's life. This includes fascinating documentary elements, featuring testimonies from royal insiders, historians and news archives combined with dramatised sequences.

From the day the abdication of Edward VIII made Queen Elizabeth II heiress to the throne, she has been one of the most powerful women in the world. As she approaches the later years of her reign, hers is one of the most extraordinary and yet mysterious stories of our time. Surviving eight decades that have seen the world change almost beyond recognition, little is really known of the private face behind the public monarch.

This powerful series explores her subtle influence on world events, her private relationship with presidents, prime ministers, kings and the torment she has suffered through a family torn apart by indiscretions, affairs, divorces and re-marriages.

Originally shown on Channel 4 last week, The Queen is out now on DVD, courtesy of 4DVD.

Competition

The Ballymena and Antrim Times has three copies of The Queen to give away, courtesy of 4DVD.

To enter, simply send your answer to the following question, along with your name, address and telephone number to The Queen DVD competition, Ballymena and Antrim Times, 22-24 Ballymoney Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AL.

Q. Name one of the actresses who portrary the Queen.

Closing date is December 15 and normal Morton Newspapers competition rules apply.