Show Guide: 'The Serpent Queen'

Synopsis: A historical drama with an edge, “The Serpent Queen” puts a contemporary spin on conventional storytelling to tell the tale of Catherine de Medici’s (Samantha Morton) rise to power. In the series premiere, "Medici Bitch," Catherine’s tale unfolds through flashbacks as she defends her actions and imparts the lessons she’s learned to her new servant confident, Rahima (Sennia Nanua). At 14, the young, orphaned Catherine (Liv Hill) marries into the 16th-century French court. Despite her commoner status, her uncle Pope Clement (Charles Dance), has negotiated a large dowry and a geopolitical alliance in return for the union, and with it comes the expectation of many heirs. However, on her wedding night, Catherine learns that her new husband is in love with Diane de Poitiers (Ludivine Sagnier), a beautiful lady-in-waiting twice his age. 

With her future suddenly uncertain and with little hope of conceiving, Catherine must quickly learn who she can trust - both within her personal entourage of courtiers and the members of the royal court - while outmaneuvering anyone who underestimates her determination to survive at any cost. (Courtesy Starz, 2022)

The Cast:
Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici
Amrita Acharia as Aabis
Enzo Cilenti as Cosimo Ruggeri
Barry Atsma as Montmorency
Nicholas Burns as Antoine de Bourbon
Danny Kirrane as Louis de Bourbon
Sennia Nanua as Rahima
Beth Goddard as Antoinette de Guise
Antonia Clarke as Mary Queen of Scots
George Jaques as Francis II
Charles Dance as Pope Clement
Liv Hill as Young Catherine
Kiruna Stamell as Mathilde
Colm Meaney as King Francis
Rebecca Gethings as Queen Eleanor
Ray Panthaki as Charles de Guise
Raza Jaffrey as François de Guise

Production Credits:
The Serpent Queen is based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda and is from writer and executive producer Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road, Red Sparrow, The Lone Ranger). Stacie Passon (Transparent, Dickinson, Billions) directs multiple episodes, including the premiere episode and serves as executive producer. The series is executive produced by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2) and Erwin Stoff (The Matrix, 13 Hours, Edge of Tomorrow). The eight-episode series is produced for STARZ by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment. 

The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Starz)
1-01 Medici Bitch--09/11/2022
Queen Catherine confides in a servant girl and begins to tell the story of her life, including the circumstances surrounding her arrival at the French Royal Court at the age of 14.
Written by: Justin Haythe
Directed by: Stacie Passon
Guest stars: Rebecca Gethings as Queen Eleanor; Gemma Dobson as Nathalie; Loic Azorin as Footman 2; Adam Garcia as Sebastio; Adam Amara as Young Francois de Guise; Anna Cottis as Cook; Nathan Parent as Young Louis of Bourbin; Pierre Cevaer as Footman #1; Simon Parmentier as Young Antoine of Bourbon; Louis Pencreacxh as Young Charle de Guise; Memet Ali Alabora as Sultan Suleiman; Rapheal Roger Levy as Leader of Soldiers; Delcho Koprivashki as Lorenzo de Medici II; Lucy Edkins as Mother Superior; Nicolas Buchoux as Doctor; Antonin Totot as Catherine's Guard; Barbara Laurent as Prostitute #2, Carlotta Moraru as Prostitute #1 and David Pearse as Cardinal.

1-02 To War Rather Than To Bed--09/18/2022
1-03 The Price--09/25/2022
1-04 A New Era--10/02/2022
1-05 The First Regency--10/09/2022
1-06 The Last Joust--10/16/2022
1-07 An Attack On The King--10/23/2022
1-08 A Queen Is Made--10/30/2022