Joely Richardson: Working with mum Vanessa was 'incredibly special'

Joely Richardson has revealed how much it has meant to her to be able to share the role of Queen Elizabeth I with her mother Vanessa Redgrave.

The star was talking at the premiere of new film Anonymous in London's Leicester Square.

Joely was stunning in a figure-hugging black lace Marchesa gown and smiled for the cameras whilst signing autographs.

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In the film, Vanessa plays Queen Elizabeth as an older woman, while her daughter plays the royal as a young princess. 

"It was incredibly special," says Joely of their collaboration.

"As a child growing up and watching her play Mary Queen of Scots and Glenda Jackson play Elizabeth, I never would have known that one day the two of us would be playing Elizabeth."

Anonymous, directed by Independence Day's Roland Emmerich, presents the idea that William Shakespeare was not the author of legendary plays including Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.

It instead suggests they were written by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, played by Rhys Ifans.

Despite the controversial topic of the film, all the cast members and director Roland have insisted it is, in fact, a "celebration" of Shakespeare's work. 

"It's not an attack on Shakespeare, it's quite the opposite," says Rhys.

"It's a celebration of his work, and anyone who sees this film, if it encourages young people, or anyone, to revisit these plays, then it's very important."