The Devil's Whore tells the story of the seismic events of 17th-century England, when political disobedience turned to revolution and civil war, and English history changed forever.

The story is told through the experiences of a spirited aristocratic woman, Angelica Fanshawe (Andrea Riseborough), who comes to know the key figures on both sides of this bitter conflict. It is a story not just of political and historical significance, but of love, loss, murder, courage and betrayal.

Angelica is born in 1623, when England is divided both politically and religiously. When Angelica's deeply religious mother gives up her daughter and flees to France to the sanctuary of a Catholic convent, the child Angelica curses God. Thereafter, at key moments throughout the rest of her life, she is haunted by images of the Devil, seemingly cursed for her moment of rash blasphemy.

As the years pass, Angelica becomes part of the royal court of Charles I (Peter Capaldi), enjoying a life of carefree privilege. She is engaged to her childhood sweetheart, her cousin Harry Fanshawe (Ben Aldridge), and looks forward to their future together at Fanshawe House.