‘Masterpiece’ period drama fans love ‘despite historical inaccuracies’ is streaming free
The beloved period drama was inspired by the best-selling non-fiction novel, which has received rave reviews from fans across the country.
Fans are “completely hooked” to the beloved Channel 4 period drama, The Serpent Queen (Image: Starz! Movie Channel/Everett/Shutterstock)
Period drama lovers have been raving about a Channel 4 series that has fans “completely hooked” despite one major flaw. The Serpent Queen, which is free to stream now on Channel4.com, is a historical drama about the 16th-century queen of France, Catherine de’ Medici, and her rise to the throne despite coming from poverty. The show is based on the 2004 nonfiction book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda.
It explored her childhood as an orphaned Italian teenager before she married into the French court and became one of France’s most powerful and influential queens. Samantha Morton portrayed the cunning, intelligent, and ruthless queen as she navigates the treacherous world of political intrigue, betrayal, and power struggles.
Throughout the two series drama, viewers watch her transform from a pawn expected to be a producer heir into a formidable ruler known for her sharp wit and Machiavellian tactics in a male-dominated monarchy.
The 2022 series was shot against the beautiful backdrop of Marseille, the Loire Valley in France, and the Papal Palace in Italy. But the historical drama isn’t without its flaws.
The series takes significant creative liberties throughout, altering timelines, relationships, and events to heighten drama on screen. However, it captures many of the figures’ core features and personality traits.
The main inaccuracies included fabricating Catherine de’ Medici’s affair with Montmorency, misrepresenting her childhood, and inventing a meeting with Queen Elizabeth I.
Despite receiving rave reviews, the drama was cancelled after two series (Image: Starz! Movie Channel/Everett/Shutterstock)
Producers also changed the dates of historical figures like Francis of Guise and distorted the events leading to the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled in October 2024 after just two seasons.
Despite the historical inaccuracies, the series was very well received by fans online, boasting an impressive score of 100% on the popular critics’ site Rotten Tomatoes.
Following its debut back in 2022, fans have showered the series with praise online, with one user writing: “The Serpent Queen is one of the most engaging shows out at the moment. Exceptionally well written and acted, it flows along and keeps you watching and waiting for the next instalment.”
Another agreed: “I can’t fault it. The Serpent Queen is outstanding. It is cleverly done, and an absolute must-watch.” A third chimed in with: “I really didn’t know what to expect from this show. Episode 1 was really perfect, a masterpiece, actually. The acting, directing, and cinematography were spot on.”
SOURCE: EXPRESS