THE SERPENT QUEEN Season 2 Trailer (2024) Samantha Morton

THE SERPENT QUEEN Season 2 Trailer (2024) Samantha Morton

THE SERPENT QUEEN Season 2 Trailer (2024) Samantha Morton
© 2024 - STARZ

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.

Catherine De Medici's (Samantha Morton) reign over France will continue when The Serpent Queen returns for its second season this coming summer.

“The Serpent Queen is distinctly modern, darkly comedic and completely unexpected,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, STARZ, in announcing the renewal in October 2022. “Catherine De Medici’s story is the perfect complement to our female-forward slate, and Samantha Morton’s brilliant portrayal of this ruthless, charming and savvy queen anchors the whole production. We’re thrilled to unveil more of her incredible life and reign in season two, which promises to be even more provocative and sublime.”

Here, what we know so far about chapter two:

When will Season 2 of The Serpent Queen premiere?
The series was renewed for Season 2 back in October of 2022 and will premiere July 12.

Is there a trailer for The Serpent Queen Season 2?
The second trailer for The Serpent Queen features Samantha Morton returning as the nefarious Queen Mother Catherine de Medici, who is joined by Minnie Driver as Queen Elizabeth I. As France falls into political and religious turmoil, Catherine struggles to maintain her power, but The Serpent Queen will do whatever she needs to regain control.

The first trailer for The Serpent Queen Season 2 provides a first look at the second season of the historical drama, revealing that Catherine is willing to do anything to maintain her power. It also includes a shot of the debut of Minnie Driver as the infamous ‘Virgin Queen’ Elizabeth I who rivals Catherine in court in the delightfully wicked upcoming season.

What is the story of The Serpent Queen?
Based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda, it’s the story of Catherine de Medici who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history.

Related: Samantha Morton On How Brains Won Over Beauty for Catherine de Medici in The Serpent Queen

Who is in The Serpent Queen Season 2 cast?
Samantha Morton, Emma McDonald
Samantha Morton

STARZ

Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici
"I feel so kind of in awe of Catherine, and so honored to play her," Morton told Town & Country. “As well as a huge responsibility to give her authenticity the best I could. When you contemporize the drama, that's when you’re allowing these characters to tell their stories. If you’re going to break the fourth wall, you have to make sure you’re not doing it just for effect. Catherine really is seeing the audience as a confidant, she’s saying, ‘this is real, can you believe it?’ There are certain streaming channels that do make chocolate-box costume dramas, but you never feel that you are in it because it feels so fake. Everything might look great, but you don't feel anything. That's the trick: the truth of the story has to come first."

Returning cast members include:

Nick Burns, Danny Kirrane
Nick Burns and Danny Kirrane

STARZ

Danny Kirrane as Louise De Bourbon
Ray Panthaki
Ray Panthaki

STARZ

Ray Panthaki as Charles Guise
Raza Jaffrey
Raza Jaffrey

STARZ

Raza Jaffrey as François de Guise
Enzo Cilenti as Ruggieri
Amrita Acharia as Aabis
Ruby Bentall as Angelica
Beth Goddard as Antoinette Guise
Ludivine Sagnier as Diane de Poitier
Rupert Everett as Charles V
Who will be joining the cast of The Serpent Queen for Season 2?
Per Variety, The Serpent Queen Season 2 has added 10 new cast members.

Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver

STARZ

Minnie Driver as Elizabeth I
Minnie Driver joins as “Elizabeth I” the infamous ‘Virgin Queen.’ Elizabeth goes toe-to-toe with Catherine and is a woman of style, wit and experience.

Angus Imrie as Henry IV
Angus Imrie joins as “Henry IV” the son of Antoine de Bourbon and Jeanne d’Albret, he appears uncivilized, to the unobservant observer but in reality, he is quite an intellect.

Emma McDonald
Emma McDonald

STARZ

Emma McDonald as Rahima
Emma McDonald joins as “Rahima” who viewers first met in season one. Rahima has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life.

Stanley Morgan as Anjou
Stanley Morgan joins as “Anjou” the younger brother of King Charles, who is non-conforming and capable of disruptive violence.

Philippine Velge as Margo
Philippine Velge joins as “Margot” Catherine’s eldest daughter, who is her polar opposite. Incredibly charming, liked by all and seeks the truth.

Rosalie Craig as Jeanne d'Albret
Rosalie Craig joins as “Jeanne d’Albret” the self-righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon.

Isobel Jesper Jones
Isobel Jesper Jones

STARZ

Isobel Jesper Jones as Edith
Isobel Jesper Jones joins as “Edith,” a protestant preacher to a group of loyal followers.

The Serpent Queen_Left to Right_ Scott Folan (“Hercules”), Philippine Velge (“Margot”), Bill Milner (“King Charles IX”), Laura Marcus (“Elizabeth”), and Stanley Morgan (“Anjou”)
Scott Folan, Philippine Velge, Bill Milner (“King Charles IX”), Laura Marcus and Stanley Morgan

STARZ

Bill Milner as King Charles IX
Bill Milner joins as “King Charles IX” the oldest son of Catherine de Medici, and the now King of France. Not a boy, but not quite a man, he is anxious to play king and get it right.

Ashley Thomas as Alessandro de Medici
Ashley Thomas joins as “Alessandro de Medici” a man possessed with great charisma and beauty and is the object of desire.

Alexandre Willaume as Montmorency
Alexandre Willaume joins as “Montmorency” the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king.

Related: The Serpent Queen Creators Share Everything We Need to Know About Season One, and the Status for Season Two

What happened in Season 1 of The Serpent Queen?
Season 1 of The Serpent Queen begins with Catherine’s arrival in France, her marriage to the prince, and the deaths of her father-in-law the king, her husband and her son. The series also covered how difficult it was for Catherine to initially get pregnant—it took her 10 years, but in the end, she gave birth to 10 children, of whom four boys and three girls survived.

So, the finale was about her consolidating power. Charles IX, who is only 9 years old, is crowned king with Catherine as regent, and Mary was tricked by Catherine into returning to Scotland, where she’s fuming over Catherine’s win.

Minnie Driver
Minnie Driver

STARZ

Samantha Morton
Samanta Morton

STARZ

Are there any spoilers for Season 2 of The Serpent Queen?
No spoilers as yet, but some teases from showrunner and creator Justin Haythe.

“I’ve got a lot of very specific ideas about where I want Season 2 to go,” Haythe tells Indiewire. “I wanted to start with what I think was Catherine’s real ambition to try to modernize France. She built the Tuileries. She brought a lot of artists to France. She tried to introduce religious tolerance and somehow got from there to the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, and that’s an interesting arc.”

How many episodes will there be of Season 2 of The Serpent Queen?
The second season will consist of eight episodes.

Where can I Watch The Serpent Queen Season 2?
The Serpent Queen will air exclusively on STARZ and the STARZ app when Season 2 premieres. Season 1 can currently be seen on STARZ On Demand and the app.

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