Starz’s first teaser for The Serpent Queen season two declares in no uncertain terms that the “bad b*tch is back.” The teaser also provides our first good look at Oscar nominee Minnie Driver as Queen Elizabeth I.
The short teaser was accompanied by a batch of photos from the upcoming season set to premiere this summer.
Samantha Morton reprises her role as the titular character, Catherine de Medici. Additional returning season one stars include Danny Kirrane as Louis de Bourbon, Ray Panthaki as Charles Guise, Raza Jaffrey as Francois de Guise, and Enzo Cilenti as Ruggieri. Amrita Acharia returns as Aabis, Ruby Bentall is Angelica, Beth Goddard is Antoinette Guise, Ludivine Sagnier is Diane de Poitiers, and Rupert Everett is Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
Season two’s new cast includes:
- Angus Imrie as “Henry IV” the son of Antoine de Bourbon and Jeanne d’Albret, he appears uncivilized, to the unobservant observer but in reality, he is quite an intellect.
- Emma McDonald as “Rahima” who viewers first met in season one. Rahima has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life.
- Stanley Morgan as “Anjou” the younger brother of King Charles, who is non-conforming and capable of disruptive violence.
- Philippine Velge as “Margot” Catherine’s eldest daughter, who is her polar opposite. Incredibly charming, liked by all and seeks the truth.
- Rosalie Craig as “Jeanne d’Albret” the self-righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon.
- Isobel Jesper Jones as “Edith,” a protestant preacher to a group of loyal followers.
- Bill Milner as “King Charles IX” the oldest son of Catherine de Medici, and the now King of France. Not a boy, but not quite a man, he is anxious to play king and get it right.
- Ashley Thomas as “Alessandro de Medici” a man possessed with great charisma and beauty and is the object of desire.
- Alexandre Willaume as “Montmorency” the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king.
The series is based on Leonie Frieda’s book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France and, per Starz, “tells the story of Catherine de Medici (Morton) who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history.”
Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) writes and executive produces the series, with Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games Franchise) and Erwin Stoff (Edge of Tomorrow) also serving as executive producers. The period drama’s produced for STARZ by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.
