Watch Charles II: The Power and the Passion

Villainous opportunist Titus Oates capitalizes on the mood of the times to propagate a rabid purge of Catholics that spirals out of control. His vicious lies cast doubt on the loyalty of Queen Catherine herself. The Protestant bid to exclude the Duke of York from the throne gathers momentum and Charles is forced to take desperate measures.

In the anti-papist aftermath of the fire of London, Charles takes a great risk by inviting his beloved sister Minette to come from Catholic France to negotiate secret treaties on behalf of Louis XIV. French gold will give Charles the freedom to stand up to his rebellious Parliament, led by Protestant Shaftesbury who even enlists Charles's oldest friend, the Duke of Buckingham.

A fiery comet in the sky is rumored to threaten doom on Charles's reign. Beset by plague and war, and embroiled in bitter wrangles with Parliament as he battles to keep his Catholic brother James in line to the throne, Charles is forced to sacrifice trusty minister Sir Edward Hyde. As the Queen fails to produce a legitimate hier, Charles comes under pressure to divorce and remarry.

Charles Stuart is restored to the throne after years spent in exile from Republican England. Abandoned by his oldest friend, the Duke of Buckingham, Charles has reached his lowest ebb when the sudden death of Oliver Cromwell galvanizes the Royalist cause. Only one man can unite the nation and prevent a return to Civil War.