The first piece of footage from Mary Queen of Scots is out and it definitively paints itself as a possible Oscar contender.

Lady Bird star and Irish darling Saoirse Ronan plays the titular character. Set in the 16th century, it explores the relationship and fallout between Scotland's Queen Mary Stewart and England's Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie).

And guess what? The friendship turned rather sour when Queen Mary tried overthrowing Elizabeth.

The trailer below looks impressive, with Ronan's Scottish accent a particular highlight.

That said, whereas earlier this week we praised the teaser for Yorgos Lanthimos's The Favourite for giving viewers what they least expected from a royal deama, Mary Queen of Scots definitely seems more conventional.

However, given its December/January release date, its star-studded cast, and the fact that it is from the producers who turned The Darkest Hour into an awards contender, we expect to hear plenty more about Mary Queen of Scots over the coming months.

The film is set to hit the screens in Ireland on January 18, 2019.