The Serpent Queen
Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.
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- Type
- series
- Historical relation
- —
- Accuracy
- Not rated
- Seasons
- 2
- Episodes
- 16
- Episode coverage
- 0/16
- Historical links
- 0
Seasons & episodes
Season 1
Catherine de' Medici marries into the French court as an orphaned teenager and is expected to bring in a fortune in dowry and produce heirs only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman and that she cannot conceive children.
Medici Bitch
Queen Catherine begins to tell the story of her life to Rahima, a servant girl, revealing how she came to enter the French Royal Court at the age of 14.
49 min · Open episode profile →
To War Rather Than to Bed
Young Catherine begins to learn how to outwit the royal household in order to secure her future.
52 min · Open episode profile →
The Price
Prince Henri returns from war with a new mistress, Filippa, and a baby. Catherine resorts to extreme measures to produce an heir.
54 min · Open episode profile →
A New Era
Catherine has become a mother. King Francis suffers a fall from his horse while hunting with Henri and Catherine.
51 min · Open episode profile →
The First Regency
King Henri departs to lead an army to defend France and places Catherine in charge as Regent, allowing her to test her powers further. Catherine asks Rahima to search Mary's room for a letter.
51 min · Open episode profile →
The Last Joust
Catherine has a dream that predicts that her husband will be wounded while jousting. Catherine and Henri decide that their son Francis should delay his wedding to Mary.
54 min · Open episode profile →
An Attack on the King
Mary visits Rahima and recounts her side of the story of life at the Royal Court. Catherine and Mary have conflicting views when it comes to freedom of religion in France.
48 min · Open episode profile →
A Queen Is Made
The planned kidnapping of King Francis goes awry but Catherine devises a new plan to allow her control of the country.
55 min · Open episode profile →Season 2
In the second season of "The Serpent Queen," Catherine's rule faces power struggles, conflicts, and betrayals as she seeks unity in France. Her grip on power is tested.
Grand Tour
Catherine aims to unite France under King Charles IX, pushing her agenda of a secular state; the Bourbons present an ambitious trade deal with Protestant England; as tensions rise on the Privy Council, the Guise's plan to reignite religious conflict.
50 min · Open episode profile →
Second Coming
With peace balanced on a knife's edge, Catherine attempts to calm tensions by allowing the Bourbons to pursue the trade deal with England. Catherine halts the investigation into the Duke of Guise's arson involvement.
51 min · Open episode profile →
Death of a Prince
News of Edith's miracle spreads throughout Europe; the Bourbon's leverage an opportunity for England to exploit France; Catherine must return urgently to France when Anjou's temper causes damage.
51 min · Open episode profile →
Judas
Charles is ready to make his own rules, rejecting his mother's influence; with a rebellion on the rise, a mysterious plan is set, but when loyalty can be so easily swayed...miracles can happen.
54 min · Open episode profile →
Time with the Family
Catherine relinquishes her seat on the Privy Council, but not before securing a place for Anjou; a religious war is on the horizon as Queen Elizabeth lands in the Netherlands; France's saving grace may be a marriage.
53 min · Open episode profile →
Courting the Valois
Queen Elizabeth's arrival sparks manipulation and intrigue within the Valois Court; a dramatic fencing match for the Queen's affections ends in a shocking revelation, leaving the Court in turmoil.
54 min · Open episode profile →
A House Divided
Tensions escalate as Edith and her followers wield newfound power while Catherine grapples with political manipulations and betrayals; as Queen Elizabeth's schemes unravel, Catherine must strategize to secure power and navigate a web of deceit.
58 min · Open episode profile →
All Saints Day
Catherine's actions lead to chaos and bloodshed, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake; Catherine's desperate measures may prevent total war, or they could unleash forces beyond her control.
70 min · Open episode profile →
