Filmin adds one of the most talked-about historical productions of recent months to its catalog. Starting Tuesday, October 13, the platform will make both complete seasons of The Serpent Queen available to its users, a fictional series centered on the life of Catherine de Medici, one of the most influential and controversial figures of Renaissance France.
The premiere comes at a time when streaming platforms are increasingly betting on period dramas that combine historical rigor with contemporary readings of their protagonists. In this case, the series proposes a narrative twist: moving away from the traditional image of Catherine de Medici as a villain to build a more nuanced portrait of her figure.
A production based on a historical biography
The series was created by Justin Haythe, a screenwriter known for works such as Revolutionary Road and A Cure for Wellness, who was inspired by the biography Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France, written by Leonie Frieda.
Using that material, Haythe built a narrative that follows the evolution of Catherine de Medici from her arrival in France as a young foreigner to her consolidation as one of the most powerful figures in the 16th-century French court.
Samantha Morton leads the cast
Actress Samantha Morton, remembered for her role in The Odyssey, plays Catherine de Medici in her adult years. Meanwhile, Liv Hill, known for the series Three Girls, brings the protagonist to life during her youth, when she arrives at the French court as an unknown teenager.
This dual performance allows the fiction to show the character's transformation throughout different stages of her life, marked by decisions that conditioned both her personal destiny and the political future of France.
A “radically modern” antiheroine
As Justin Haythe himself explained, the intention behind the project was to move away from conventional stories about Catherine de Medici to offer a more current look at her figure.
The creator defined the protagonist as an antiheroine comparable to iconic characters from contemporary series. "What I was looking for was a show about an antihero. I thought this was a radically modern protagonist: an antihero like Corleone, Soprano, or Walter White who happens to be a woman and, furthermore, a woman in 16th-century France," he noted.
This perspective seeks to show Catherine de Medici not only as a figure historically associated with intrigue, but as a survivor who had to adapt to a hostile environment, marked by unstable alliances and constant power struggles.
What is The Serpent Queen about?
The plot begins in the 16th century, when Catherine de Medici is married off into the French court as a mere orphaned teenager, from whom it was expected that she would bring a significant fortune as a dowry.
However, she soon discovers that her husband is in love with another woman and that, furthermore, he is unable to have children, a circumstance that further complicates her position within the court and that will mark the beginning of her process of personal and political transformation.
Simultaneous premiere of two seasons
Unlike other premieres that are released in weekly installments, Filmin will make both complete seasons of the series available to users from the very day of its launch, October 13.
This format allows viewers to continuously follow the evolution of the main character, from her arrival in France to her consolidation as one of the most powerful figures of the era.
Frequently asked questions
When does The Serpent Queen premiere on Filmin?
The series arrives on the platform on Tuesday, October 13, with both seasons available from the first day.
Who plays Catherine de Medici?
Samantha Morton plays Catherine de Medici in her adult years, while Liv Hill embodies the character during her youth.
What is the series based on?
The fiction is inspired by the biography Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France, written by Leonie Frieda, and was created by screenwriter Justin Haythe.
What is The Serpent Queen about?
The series chronicles the transformation of Catherine de Medici from a young orphaned teenager arriving at the French court to becoming one of the most powerful figures in 16th-century France.
How many seasons does the series have?
Filmin premieres both complete seasons of The Serpent Queen simultaneously on October 13.
What other work has the series creator done?
Justin Haythe was a screenwriter for films such as Revolutionary Road and A Cure for Wellness before developing this historical fiction series.
