The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

100%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

"The Serpent Queen" is a cunning account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown: Catherine de' Medici; considered an immigrant, common and plain, de' Medici marries into the 16th century French court as an orphanedteenager, expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs; she quickly discovers that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid, and she is unable to conceive; yet, with only her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.

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The Serpent Queen — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The Serpent Queen dramatizes one of history's most infamous monarchs with a deft, sardonic touch, with Samantha Morton's commanding star turn likely to swallow viewers' attention whole.

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The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Cady Lang

TIME Magazine

Catherine de Medici, one of the most misunderstood monarchs of the 16th century, takes center stage in The Serpent Queen.

May 20, 2024

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The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Andrew Male

Times (UK)

It is far more successful and emotionally engaging when it focuses on Samantha Morton's often complex, contradictory and empathetic performance as the chaos queen.

Oct 24, 2022

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The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Judy Berman

TIME Magazine

It’s a delicate balance to strike, but Morton and Hill are both up to it, in a pair of excellent, poker-faced performances that set the tone for the entire cast.

Oct 3, 2022

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The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Mini Anthikad-Chhibber

The Hindu

Filled with conflicted characters, intrigue, poisonings, torture, throat-slitting, religion and rock music, The Serpent Queen is a happy excursion into another time and space where the problems remain the same.

Oct 4, 2023

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The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Martin Carr

Yahoo! Movies

The Serpent Queen is a pithy period piece featuring Samantha Morton as Catherine de Medici, as she rises through the ranks of French aristocracy to become Queen.

May 20, 2023

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The Serpent Queen: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Mel Campbell

ScreenHub

I wonder if The Serpent Queen will settle into more conventional storytelling as Catherine becomes caught up in power struggles … But I’m hopeful that the magic will persist, as it’s easily the most original aspect of this series.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 3, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Esra Y Obviously not accurate but a fiction. Both leads who plays Catherine does spectacular job. Samantha Morton is very charismatic and carries the role exceptionally well. W a few scene stealer side characters i watched it in one go and enjoyed it. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/04/24 Full Review Chrystal C The wit, humor, and clever writing has made this series an absolute diehard favorite. Samantha Morton never fails to stun with her to-be-expected savagery while displaying the most kick ass "checkmate" strategies. From the first scene to the last line of season one, I can't WAIT to see what's next in season 2! A MUST SEE Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/23/24 Full Review Grant A I like the show but the dialogue seems dumbed down. I don't think they used the phrase like "totally wow". Breaking the 4th wall seems unnecessary, and lazy writing. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/22/24 Full Review Audience Member Chess got it so right. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/15/24 Full Review Jason D Great show that is very intriguing, turns in Unexpected ways, writing and acting is great, along with the high-level of production. Samantha Morton is absolutely superb, along with the other actors in the show. I highly recommend the show. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/09/24 Full Review Matt G Just awful writing, not the best direction and mediocre acting. 1% fact, 99% fiction. Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Serpent Queen — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

Justin Haythe Creator Samantha Morton Catherine de Medici Amrita Acharia Aabis Barry Atsma Montmorency Enzo Cilenti Ruggieri Sennia Nanua Rahima

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 11, 2022 Medici Bitch 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. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 18, 2022 To War Rather Than to Bed Young Catherine begins to learn how to outwit the royal household in order to secure her future. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 25, 2022 The Price Prince Henri returns from war with new mistress Filippa and a baby; Catherine resorts to extreme measures to produce an heir. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 2, 2022 A New Era Catherine becomes a mother; King Francis suffers a fall from his horse while hunting with Henri and Catherine. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 9, 2022 The First Regency 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 for a letter. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 16, 2022 The Last Joust 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. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 23, 2022 An Attack on the King 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. Details Episode 8 Aired Oct 30, 2022 A Queen Is Made The planned kidnapping of King Francis goes awry, but Catherine devises a new plan to allow her control of the country. Details

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