The Reign of Queen Ginnara Coming Soon From British Horror Studio

British Horror Studio are set to release their latest horror film The Reign of Queen Ginnara, where medieval fantasy collides with Lovecraftian horror, in the coming weeks.

Enter the shadowy realm of The Reign of Queen Ginnnara, where medieval fantasy collides with Lovecraftian horror. Hailed as the longest independent fantasy epic ever created (2h 40mins), this groundbreaking film plunges you into a kingdom on the brink of madness and despair.

At its core stands Megan Tremethick, in a chilling and controversial portrayal of Queen Ginnnara that will both captivate and terrify you. Experience forbidden rituals, monstrous creatures, and the slow unraveling of a realm ruled by fear. In a land where ancient gods stir beneath the earth, can anyone resist the call of the void?

Drawing inspiration from John Boorman’s Excalibur, classic Sword & Sorcery, the works of H. P. Lovecraft, and even the BBC’s I, Claudius, The Reign of Queen Ginnnara is shot in a distinctive early ’90s cine film style.

The upcoming film will be the second from British Horror Studio, a studio comprising the iconic 1960s horror studio Amicus Productions, the creators of the Owlman at Hex Studios, and Fife Creative Studios—a Scottish-based charity dedicated to fostering training and creative opportunities for aspiring indie filmmakers and more.

The Reign of Queen Ginnara was directed by Laurie Brewster, with Brewster also co-writing the screenplay alongside Sarah Daly. The film is being produced by both British Horror Studio and Hex Studios.

Hex Studios has built a reputation as the UK’s leading independent horror studio, specialising in atmospheric, story-driven horror with a strong visual identity. British Horror Studio is a new initiative spearheaded by Hex, designed to reinvigorate classic British horror for modern audiences, including our ambitious project to revive Amicus Productions, one of the most legendary names in classic British horror.

The film features Andrew Gourlay as Prince Elderon, Stephen Kerr, Stephen Corrall, Dorian Ashbourne and lastly Megan Tremethick as Queen Ginnara. I was fortunate enough to catch up with the film's leading lady Megan Tremethick about the upcoming gothic horror.

Firstly, can you tell our readers a bit about British Horror Studio and how the whole thing began?

"British Horror Studio is a project that is very close to my heart. It was founded by the incredibly talented duo Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly as a way to champion British horror, celebrating both its incredible legacy and the fresh, innovative talent emerging today.

The whole idea began with a desire to bring together filmmakers, actors, and storytellers who love horror and to create a space where they could collaborate on bold, atmospheric horror films. Many of these films draw inspiration from the past and from classic British horror. We certainly take influence from the greats, such as Hammer Horror, Amicus Productions and the eerie folk horror of the 1970s, but we also want to push boundaries and explore exciting new concepts.

For me, becoming part of British Horror Studio has been an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded people, both passionate horror fans and those deeply invested in creative storytelling. Lawrie and Sarah’s vision for British Horror Studio is all about preserving a sense of community in British indie horror, making sure that it doesn’t just survive but thrives in today’s independent film scene. British Horror Studio itself is the new brand connected to Hex Studios, which has produced a number of films over the years. If you want to find out more information about what we do at British Horror Studio, we have a Patreon community that's free to join!"

There’s many different genres within film, so why settle on horror?

"Horror is one of the most versatile and challenging genres for an actor. It demands such a wide range, from pure terror to deep emotional intensity, and sometimes even physical endurance. I love that horror gives actors the space to be raw and fearless, which I find really exciting as a performer.

It is one of the few genres where anything is possible. And as a filmmaker, you aren’t bound by strict rules, so you can experiment with surrealism, psychological depth, action-driven suspense or quiet, creeping dread. It’s a genre that allows for bold storytelling choices, whether that means building tension through atmosphere, pushing the boundaries of practical effects or creating something completely wild and over the top. Every horror film feels like its own unique world, and that creative freedom is what makes working in the genre so exciting."

What inspired and influenced you and British Horror Studio when making this film?

"Director and writer Lawrie Brewster said that his main inspirations for The Reign of Queen Ginnarra were the BBC series I, Claudius, with its intense, almost play-like drama and political intrigue, and the 1980s sword-and-sorcery film Excalibur.

For my portrayal of Queen Ginnarra, I drew inspiration from historical figures such as Queen Elizabeth I and Countess Elizabeth Báthory, both of whom were powerful and complex women in their own right.

Another strong influence was Siân Phillips as Livia in I, Claudius. Livia’s cold, calculating nature and her ability to manipulate and strategise from behind the scenes were deeply compelling to me and perfect inspiration for Ginnarra. Her quiet menace and political savvy were key in shaping Ginnarra’s own ruthless yet subtle approach to power."

I can see some influence from the iconic Hammer House of Horror, have they been an inspiration to you within your work?

"Absolutely! Lawrie Brewster, Sarah Daly, myself, and the entire team are all huge fans of Hammer Films, as well as Amicus Productions. Their work has often served as inspiration for our films, and now, we're excited to be bringing back Amicus Productions and creating the first Amicus horror film in 20 years!

Personally, I love drawing inspiration from Hammer, especially in the way some of my characters are dressed, as well as in subtle nods to the legendary actresses from both Hammer and Amicus. I’ve always admired the iconic performances of actresses like Charlotte Rampling and Ingrid Pitt, who have definitely influenced the characters I like to play."

Can you tell us a bit about The Reign of Queen Ginnarra?

"The Reign of Queen Ginnarra is a dark, character-driven fantasy that explores power, manipulation, and the lengths people will go to in order to survive. It follows Queen Ginnarra, a ruler who must navigate a world of treachery and shifting alliances while maintaining her iron grip on the throne.

The story is not solely about Ginnarra, as it also follows her brother, Prince Elderon, whom she exiles in a ruthless bid to secure her rule. Forced into the wilderness, Elderon must gather his strength and lead a rebellion against his sister and the armies under her command. His journey is one of survival, resilience, and reckoning with the sister he once knew."

So, you portray Queen Ginnara in this upcoming gothic horror. What interested you about this character and her role?

"I was drawn in by how Queen Ginnarra was written on the page. She is strong, yet almost still, with a physicality so controlled that she hardly moves throughout most scenes. Despite this, she remains dangerously present in every moment. What I found particularly compelling is the tragic nature of her character. Her desperate drive to become Queen and to bear a son pushed her past a point of no return, leading her into dark deeds that have poisoned her life ever since.

I truly believe she loves her son deeply, but her nature, and perhaps the interference of dark forces, has twisted their relationship into obsession. It is the same with her reign. There is a sense of poison and corruption in everything she touches, which makes me feel an overwhelming sense of sorrow for her. Although she made the choices that led her here, I believe that deep down, there is still a flicker of light within her."

What was it like playing a particularly nasty character like that?

"I always try my best not to judge the characters I portray. That said, Queen Ginnarra does commit some truly unforgivable acts! Which I wanted to approach with the seriousness they deserve. However, what unsettled me most wasn’t the obvious atrocities she carries out, but rather the insidious, subtle manipulation woven into much of her dialogue. That was a crucial aspect to get right, so I spent a lot of time working on it before filming.

As I mentioned earlier, the tragedy within her character helped me to see the goodness in her, a goodness that’s been damaged by her circumstances. This made it easier for me to look beyond her 'evil' and see the complexities that define her."

As an actor, what challenges did you face portraying this character and how did you overcome them?

"One thing I really wanted to focus on was Ginnarra’s voice. I wanted her to sound commanding, but with an unexpected softness, something that would draw people in without losing her cold, emotionless nature. I felt that if her voice were too sharp or overly RP (Received Pronunciation), it could create distance from the audience.

So, I spent a lot of time alone, running the dialogue and experimenting with different tones, trying to find the sweet spot that balanced strength with a subtle humanity. It was important to me that Ginnarra felt both regal and uncanny, but with just enough humanity bubbling beneath the surface."

The Reign of Queen Ginnara Coming Soon From British Horror Studio

How did you become an actor, Megan?

"My journey into acting began with a talent contest when I was 9, where I dressed up as a cat and performed a song. After that, I became involved in school plays and joined local amateur theatre companies, performing in both plays and musical theatre – essentially, I took every opportunity I could to act.

When I was in Sixth Form, I made a short film inspired by The Woman in Black for a module, which was a really enjoyable experience. Shortly afterwards, I had a role as an extra in a student film starring the incredibly talented Tim Seyfert, and then I landed a leading role in an LGBT student short film called Chalk. From there, I just kept going. I definitely worked my way up, getting involved in as many projects as I could."

Is there any advice you’d give any aspiring horror film makers or actors looking to make an impact?

"Focus on building atmosphere. Horror becomes far more terrifying when you can craft strong tension and build it up higher and higher throughout the film. Atmosphere building is something I truly enjoy and am still learning, constantly challenging myself to improve.

In my short film adaptation of The Haunter of the Dark, there was very little dialogue. Vincent, played by the amazing Nicholas Vince of Hellraiser, had a monologue at the beginning, but my protagonist, played by the brilliant Stephen Kerr, had no dialogue throughout the entire film. This was because I wanted to challenge myself to focus purely on visual storytelling and creating an unsettling atmosphere. It was a fun challenge, one that taught me a great deal, and it is something I will continue to experiment with in my debut feature, Spoiling You, and all my future films."

What’s next for you and British Horror Studio?

"There’s so much to be excited about right now! We’re deep into filming Spoiling You, starring Laurence R. Harvey of The Human Centipede films, Stephen Kerr, and Nick Ford, which has been an incredible experience so far. It’s my first time directing a feature while also acting in it, so it’s definitely been a challenge, but one that I’m absolutely loving.

Beyond that, The Reign of Queen Ginnarra has just had its world premiere at Romford Horror Festival, which is hugely exciting, and I can’t wait for more people to see it. A neo-noir called Black Chariot (also starring Laurence R. Harvey) is also in post-production, so there’s plenty happening on the film side.

On top of that, I’m thrilled that The Book of Beastly Creatures Vol. 2 is coming out soon. It’s the second horror short story collection from Hex Arcana, the publishing arm of British Horror Studio, and I was lucky enough to contribute four stories to it."

If you had the chance to do whatever you wanted with any horror character or franchise, which would you choose?

"I love so many horror franchises and even more horror characters, but at this stage, I feel most excited about creating my own characters and building my own strange little worlds within horror. I really enjoyed making short films inspired by H. P. Lovecraft’s incredible stories and characters, but since then, I haven’t even fantasised about making a film with a classic horror character or an existing franchise. I would be far more likely to draw inspiration from classic literature instead. For example, the German legend of Faust is filled with horror elements and would be an incredible foundation for an eerie tale."

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Huge thank you to Megan Tremethick for this interview, can't wait to see the film and what's next for British Horror Studio! You can check out the first trailer for The Reign of Queen Ginnara below, and if you want more info on British Horror Studio & how to support them you can head to their Patreon. You can also find them on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or X.