The Serpent Queen: Season 1
The Serpent Queen is an American historical drama television series about the life of Catherine de Medici, the 16th century Queen of France, portrayed by Samantha Morton. Created by Justin Haythe, the series is based on the 2004 nonfiction book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Fried. Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici marries into the 16th century French court as
Season 1 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Catherine de Medici enters the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager considered to be an immigrant, common and plain.
- She is expected by the court to bring in a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs.
- Upon arrival, she discovers that her husband is in love with an older woman and that her dowry is unpaid.
- She also discovers that she is unable to conceive children.
Season overview
The Serpent Queen is an American historical drama television series about the life of Catherine de Medici, the 16th century Queen of France, portrayed by Samantha Morton. Created by Justin Haythe, the series is based on the 2004 nonfiction book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Fried. Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici marries into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager. She is expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs. However, she soon discovers that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid, and she is unable to conceive. The series explores her experiences as she navigates the challenges of the French court.
Episode Guide
Season 1 Progress Shield
Medici Bitch
Sep 11, 2022 · 49 min
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.
To War Rather Than to Bed
Sep 18, 2022 · 52 min
Young Catherine begins to learn how to outwit the royal household in order to secure her future.
The Price
Sep 25, 2022 · 54 min
Prince Henri returns from war with a new mistress, Filippa, and a baby. Catherine resorts to extreme measures to produce an heir.
A New Era
Oct 2, 2022 · 51 min
Catherine has become a mother. King Francis suffers a fall from his horse while hunting with Henri and Catherine.
The First Regency
Oct 9, 2022 · 51 min
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 f
The Last Joust
Oct 16, 2022 · 54 min
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.
An Attack on the King
Oct 23, 2022 · 48 min
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.
A Queen Is Made
Oct 30, 2022 · 55 min
The planned kidnapping of King Francis goes awry but Catherine devises a new plan to allow her control of the country.