Queen of Spain

Set on the eve of the First World War, the film follows a young boy who discovers a Queen of Spain fritillary, one of the rarest butterflies ever seen in the British Isles. His encounter reflects early 20th-century attitudes toward butterfly collecting. The story draws on the natural history of a species rarely recorded in Britain.

Directed by Stephen Lowenstein, Queen of Spain leans on a strong ensemble — Russell Binns, Natasha Alderslade, Harley Joel Emmitt — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2021.