The Serpent Queen tells the story of Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton) who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history.
Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver, known for her special guest role on BBC's Starstruck and her series regular roles on the comedy series About a Boy (NBC) and Speechless (ABC), is one of ten new cast members cast in both regular and recurring roles . They join the Morton-led series, which will return with new episodes later this year.
Regular new cast members are (from left to right in the photo) Driver, Angus Imrie, Emma McDonald, Stanley Morgan and Philippine Velge.
Driver plays Elizabeth I, the infamous 'Virgin Queen'. Elizabeth competes with Catherine and is a woman with style, humor and experience. Imrie plays Henry IV, the son of Antoine de Bourbon and Jeanne d'Albret. To the casual observer he appears uncultured, but in reality he is an intellectual.
McDonald plays Rahima, who viewers first met in season one. Rahima has become smarter and more confident and now has an important position in Catherine's life. Morgan plays Anjou, the younger brother of King Charles IX, who is nonconformist and capable of disruptive violence. Velge plays Margot, Catherine's eldest daughter, her opposite. Incredibly charming, loved by everyone and in search of the truth.
Rosalie Craig, Isobel Jesper Jones, Bill Milner, Ashley Thomas and Alexandre Willaume (pictured from left to right) will appear in recurring roles.
Craig plays Jeanne d'Albret, the self-righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon. Jones plays Edith, a Protestant preacher to a group of faithful followers. Milner plays King Charles IX, eldest son of Catherine de Medici and now King of France. He is not a boy, but not a real man either and wants to play king and do well.
Thomas plays Alessandro de Medici, a man of great charisma and beauty, and is the object of desire. Willaume plays Montmorency, the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king.
The Serpent Queen is based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda and is from writer and executive producer Justin Haythe. The series is produced by Francis Lawrence and Erwin Stoff. The series is produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.