“In America, I was asked ‘how difficult was it to shoot that menstrual blood scene?’” she said. “But it was probably one of the most straightforward scenes that we shot because there were six women there and we all know what happens and we all know what to do.”

Rourke explained that she fought to include the menstruation scene in the film – in part to help normalise periods, which are rarely referenced in Hollywood movies. The scene also illustrates how Mary’s body – specifically, her fertility – was perceived as crucial to her power. Whereas Mary took a husband and gave birth to a son (James, who went on to rule over both Scotland and England), Elizabeth steadfastly refused to marry and referred to herself as “barren”, prompting panic over who would succeed her.

How Mary Queen of Scots exposed the media’s squeamishness about periods