Starz has released the official trailer for The Serpent Queen, the upcoming historical drama starring Oscar nominee Samantha Morton as the wicked Queen of France, Catherine de Medici. The series is scheduled to make its debut on September 11.
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The video, which you can check out below, features the nefarious Catherine de Medici, who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history. It teases the harsh things she will do in the name of absolute power.
The Serpent Queen is described as a historical drama with an edge, as it features a contemporary spin on conventional storytelling to tell the tale of Catherine de Medici’s rise to power. Joining Morton are Sennia Nanua, Liv Hill, Charles Dance, Ludivine Sagnier, Colm Meaney, Kiruna Stamell, Barry Atsma, Alex Heath, Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Antonia Clarke, Adam Garcia, Beth Goddard, Raza Jaffrey, Ray Panthaki, Nicholas Burns, Danny Kirrane, and Rupert Everett.
“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,” reads the synopsis. “At 14, the young, orphaned Catherine marries into the 16th-century French court. Despite her commoner status, her uncle Pope Clement 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, 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.”
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The Serpent Queen is based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda. It is written and executive produced Justin Haythe, with Stacie Passon set to direct multiple episodes and serve as an executive producer.
Additional executive producers includes Francis Lawrence and Erwin Stoff. The series is produced for STARZ by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.
