Connie Nielsen on Power, Legacy, and Playing Eleanor of Aquitaine in Robin Hood
Actress Connie Nielsen brings depth and intelligence to her portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine in the new series Robin Hood., Nielsen dives into the psychology, power, and complexity of one of history’s most fascinating women, a queen twice over, and a mother navigating politics, patriarchy, and personal loss in a world ruled by men.
For Nielsen, Eleanor’s story begins long before the events of the show. “At 13, she became Duchess of Aquitaine, a realm larger than France itself,” Nielsen says. “She was extraordinarily wealthy, powerful, and one of the most educated women of her time.” After marriages to both the King of France and the King of England, Eleanor wielded influence across Europe. Nielsen drew heavily on historical research, citing biographies that revealed a woman of fierce intellect and unshakable conviction.
“She wasn’t just a queen,” Nielsen explains. “She was a strategist, a patron of the arts, and a deeply spiritual person. She believed her power was given by God and she used it to protect her children, her lands, and her legacy.”
Eleanor’s authority, Nielsen notes, isn’t always loud. “There’s a stillness to her,” she says. “When she walks into a room, she doesn’t need to command attention, she already has it. Her calmness is her power.”
Nielsen was drawn to the tension between Eleanor’s public composure and private turmoil, a woman who must maneuver through politics, betrayal, and even imprisonment. “She sees all these men as peacocks,” Nielsen laughs. “They’re showing off their feathers, but they’re not lions.”
In the series, Eleanor’s ambitions often clash with her husband’s. “She wants him back in England but she also kind of wants him dead,” Nielsen admits with a smile. “At this stage in her life, it’s not about romance. It’s about preserving the crown and ensuring the rightful heir.”
That blend of pragmatism and wit makes Eleanor a compelling player in the show’s political intrigue. “She knows how to read people,” Nielsen says. “She’s been leading armies since her teens. She knows who to trust and who will sell their loyalty to the highest bidder.”
One of the show’s most touching threads is Eleanor’s growing connection with Marian, a woman she initially recruits as her eyes and ears. “Marian is different,” Nielsen says. “She’s not a court lady or an obedient servant, she’s independent, smart, and composed. Eleanor tests her, but she comes to love her. She reminds her of the daughters she’s had to send away.”
That sense of female companionship tinged with loss adds warmth to the queen’s exterior. “It’s rough being a queen,” Nielsen reflects. “You give away the people you love most. That loneliness drives her connection to Marian.”
Nielsen is passionate about challenging the way women like Eleanor have been portrayed through history. “There’s so much misogyny in how historical women are written,” she says. “People say, ‘Oh, she must have had affairs,’ when really she was just powerful. We need to give these women a fair shake to show their intelligence, strategy, and strength.”
Nielsen praises the series’ creative team, including multiple female directors. “It was wonderful to see women directing some of the biggest, most powerful scenes,” she says. “It made me feel like I was in good hands.”
And, of course, she relished the cat-and-mouse dynamic with Sean Bean’s Sheriff of Nottingham. “Sean is amazing,” she smiles. “He lets the Sheriff be flustered, stressed, and human, which makes the power game between them even more fun.”
For Connie Nielsen, playing Eleanor of Aquitaine is more than inhabiting a historical figure, it’s about reclaiming a woman’s narrative. “She wasn’t defined by her husband or her beauty,” Nielsen says. “She was defined by her mind, her courage, and her will to shape history. That’s what makes her timeless.”
