If you saw the trailer or basically any promotional material for "The Serpent Queen," Starz's new series about the infamous life of one Catherine de Medici, you'd be forgiven for assuming it's a showcase for Samantha Morton in a historical drama with twists. modern, following in the footsteps of his recent participation in “Harlots”. Even its garish opening credits sequence, in which Morton climbs onto a throne to a loud guitar thrum as snakes slither toward her, suggests a show preoccupied with being edgy and different, a show that wouldn't count as the many. others from Starz. Historical drama girls, so to speak.
However: According to Justin Haythe's adaptation of Leonie Frieda's biography, this perception proves to be only slightly the case. In fact, the first few episodes of "The Serpent Queen," which opens Sunday, September 11, feature Morton sparingly, with an elderly Catherine telling the story of how she came to France as a teenager to a spirited maiden, in whom she sees a soul mate. In truth, Morton should hardly be considered the lead of the show until the fourth episode, which has Catherine's flashbacks move far enough forward in time that she can confidently take on the role both past and present, as she begins to confront his formidable daughter. -in law, Mary Queen of Scots.
Creator: Justin Haythe
Stars: Samantha Morton, Barry Atsma, Amrita Acharia
While it's frustrating to see the fascinating Morton on the sidelines of what is ostensibly her show, it doesn't take anything away from Hill, whose performance is so spirited that she's a bit of a disappointment when she necessarily has to make her exit. As she did when she played a younger Glenda Jackson in the memorable BBC TV movie "Elizabeth Is Missing," Hill quickly proves herself worthy of playing one of Europe's most notorious women during the most delicate moment of her life. life. For all the "Fleabag"-ian asides to the camera that the scripts keep throwing at her, Hill doesn't need to tell the audience directly what's going on inside Catherine's head for her to be known.
While Hill and Morton share the actual duties, there is an inner circle that remains constant in both timelines. There is Henry's maternal lover, Diane de Poitiers, played with melodramatic delight by Ludivine Sagnier. There are Catalina's Italian ladies-in-waiting: Mathilde, Aabis and Angelica. And as King Francis, Catherine's affectionate father-in-law, Colm Meaney is at once bombastic, affectionate and fickle. Beyond Hill's evolution into a steely Morton, none of these characters seem to age as the series picks up 15 years after Catherine's first pregnancy.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about "The Serpent Queen," though, is the weird tension between its attempts to twist historical drama with fourth-wall breaks and a modern soundtrack and the fact that it's otherwise... well. , a completely typical historical drama. Which is right! Perhaps Haythe and Starz believed that their versions of Catherine de' Medici needed to sound more overtly rock and roll in order to have broader appeal. But the show, as it really exists, doesn't need to try that hard to look different. The stripped back version of "The Serpent Queen," starring two very capable actors and detailing the story of a singularly fascinating woman, is satisfying enough.
“The Serpent Queen” premieres Sunday, September 11 on Starz.
Watch The Serpent Queen 2022 Tv Series Trailer
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