The child bride of emperor Claudius has the unfulfilled sexual needs of history's most notorious nymphomaniacs. Sheila White may be older than the 17 year old Messalina, but she's got all of the scheming capabilities that Livia waited years to attempt mixed with the calculated innocence of a deranged mind. After siring two children for her husband (one of whom was probably fathered by Caligula), Messalina arranges for her mother (Moira Redmond) to marry a man she has lusted for since birth. The mesmerizing performance by White (an uncanny lookalike of Susan Sarandon and Lesley Ann Warren) shows her impish and testy nature with dangerous obsession.
This is a single story focusing on Claudius's rise to becoming emperor against his will, advised by long time friend Herod (James Faulkner) to trust no one. White is a complete contrast to on-screen mother Redmond, as noble as Antonia (without the coldness) and yet loyal to her daughter in spite of her ruthless ambition. There's still a sincerely to her affection for Claudius, even if not from passion. It's a fascinating character study of immaturity mixed with power, and Messalina becomes next to Livia the most fascinating villainess in the series.
This is a single story focusing on Claudius's rise to becoming emperor against his will, advised by long time friend Herod (James Faulkner) to trust no one. White is a complete contrast to on-screen mother Redmond, as noble as Antonia (without the coldness) and yet loyal to her daughter in spite of her ruthless ambition. There's still a sincerely to her affection for Claudius, even if not from passion. It's a fascinating character study of immaturity mixed with power, and Messalina becomes next to Livia the most fascinating villainess in the series.