HOLLYWOOD SPY EXCLUSIVE SPOTLIGHT ON CW'S NEW HISTORICAL SAGA 'REIGN' ON MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS WITH ADELAIDE KAINE, TOBY REGBO, TORRANCE COOMBS, CELINA SINDEN, ANNA POPPLEWELL, MANOLO CARDONA

  'REIGN' HISTORICAL SHOW

ON MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

In the sea of new science fiction shows, dramas and sitcoms, one of the rare historical ones will be CW's lavish and romantic take on the genre in REIGN show which charts the youth of famous Mary Queen of Scots! Scheduled to start airing on October 17th, in the Thursday evening slot after THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, the series will follow the early years of Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1557 France, while she was engaged to the young French prince Francis!

  THE STORY OF 'REIGN'

 DEMANDS OF HEART & COUNTRY

Hidden between the lines of the history books is the story of Mary Stuart, the young woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots. Queen of Scotland since she was six days old, the teenage Mary is already a headstrong monarch - beautiful, passionate, and poised at the very beginning of her tumultuous rise to power. Arriving in France with four close friends as her ladies-in-waiting, Mary has been sent to secure Scotland’s strategic alliance by formalizing her arranged engagement to the French king’s dashing son, Prince Francis. But the match isn’t signed and sealed, it depends more on politics, religion and secret agendas than affairs of the heart. Prince Francis is intrigued by the fiery Scot, but like most young men, he resists the idea of settling down into marriage, especially when he has a history with a lady of the court and his own point of view on the wisdom of an alliance with Scotland.  Still, an attraction between Mary and Francis is ignited. Further complicating things is Bash, Francis’ roguish half-brother, who has a history of his own - despite his illegitimate birth, Bash is his father’s favourite. And now that Bash has caught Mary’s eye, a royal triangle may be forming. While at French Court, fierce foes and dark forces conspire to sabotage Mary’s marriage to Francis and even threaten her life, until a mysterious shrouded guide becomes her ally. With danger and sexual intrigue around every dark castle corner, Mary rallies her ladies-in-waiting and steels herself, ready to rule the new land and balance the demands of her country and her heart.

  THE CAST OF 'REIGN'

ADELAIDE KAINE & TOBY REGBO

Australian actress Adelaide Kaine takes the lead role, while dashing Toby Regbo plays prince Francis, with Megan Follows (WORLD WITHOUT END) playing Queen Catherine de Medici, the Queen Consort of France, who is willing to do anything to maintain her own standing and power at Court, as well as that of her children. The show also has Caitlin Stasey playing Kenna, a free spirit who serves as one of Mary's ladies-in-waiting together with Celina Sinden who will play Greer. Torrance Coombs will play Sebastian, Francis’ resourceful illegitimate half brother, a favorite son of King Henry II (Alan Van Sprang). It is also interesting that one of Mary's ladies in waiting will be portrayed by Anna Popplewell, the little girl from NARNIA saga! She will play Mary's lady Lola! Rossif Sutherland plays famous Nostradamus, queen's wizard prophet! Latin heartthrob Manolo Cardona joins the cast as Tomas, the dashing Prince of Portugal. He’s playful and seemingly grounded though he may have a sinister, sadistic, and completely amoral soul. Meanwhile, Katie Boland will be Clarissa, a strange and almost feral young woman who hides in the shadows as her face is severely disfigured. Her past is a tantalizing puzzle that will reach out to change the lives around her in ways no one suspects! Luke Roberts will play Simon Westbrook, a charming but sinister English diplomat determined to destroy Mary!

  DEZZY'S HISTORY CLASS

QUEEN OF THREE KINGDOMS 
The life of real Mary Stuart wasn't all that bright and happy. As someone who claimed rights on three different thrones her royal life was quite dynamic: as the descendent of Henry VIII's sister (played by Gabrielle Anwar in TUDORS) she had a claim on English throne which made her an enemy of Henry's daughter Queen Elizabeth. Mary also became French queen when her husband Francis became the king of France. But he died only a year after of ear infection and Mary returned to Scotland after that. Sadly, Scotland was in chaos being torn between Catholics and Protestants and she spent her life their plotting with Scottish lords and trying to calm down the religious situation. When, in one of the uprisings against her, she escaped to England, Elizabeth arrested her and after 18 years of custody killed her. Mary got her revenge in the way that her son James took over English throne after Elizabeth's death.