The Loyalist

When heteronormative history becomes lackluster, theorizing queer alternatives show us what could have been.

The year is 1587, and the young Scottish noble George Kenneth Carr has inherited his father's title of Duke of Lennox earlier than anticipated. Together, the new Duke and his sister-Ainsley Grace Carr-attend the Crown's courting celebration acknowledging the first two decades of the reign of King James-which began when James' mother, Mary Queen of Scots, and cousin, Queen Elizabeth, died shortly after James was born.

While Ainsley aims to capture James' attention after a failed engagement, the siblings discover that much like George, the King has an irrefutable disposition toward men. James catches the eye of the new Duke, who inflames the exact desire James' Court frowns upon.

Determined not to let their connection fade because of aristocratic pressures, what will the two do to protect their love? Will George's hopes for a secular monarchy inspire James' ambition to transform his Kingdoms? Will the two survive attempts to tear them apart? Who can they trust, and what will they accomplish together?

Discover layers of forbidden love, lust, connection, and determination in Anthony Scott's The Loyalist-an ode to what could be if instead of running from the love that makes us who we are, we run toward it-regardless of the odds.