CAST SET FOR HENRY III OF FRANCE QUEER COURT MOVIE BY THE KING'S FAVOR SET IN THE 16TH CENTURY

   BY THE KING'S FAVOR  

PERIOD SET QUEER COURT DRAMA FILM

Continuing our spotlight on new period set international dramas, today we are in France with historical movie BY THE KING'S FAVOR which unfolds within the court of Henry III (Theodore Pellerin), the 16th century French king and son of Catherine de’ Medici, who navigated the Wars of Religion with the support of his all-male courtiers, the so-called “mignons,” long rumored to be his lovers. It centers on a tense love triangle between the king, his chief advisor Odon (Felix Kysyl), and a young milliner, Jean-Baptiste (Filippo Scotti), whom Odon brings to court to replace the king’s previous favorite. In doing so, Odon commits a forbidden act: he falls for the newcomer, forcing him to navigate the treacherous line between desire and loyalty.

HISTORY'S BIGGEST BITCH IS BACK IN SERPENT QUEEN SEASON TWO HISTORICAL SERIES TRAILER WITH SAMANTHA MORTON AS CATHERINE DE MEDICI QUEEN OF FRANCE

   THE SERPENT QUEEN   

SEE THE FIRST TRAILER FOR SEASON TWO

Starz is just about ready to launch the second season of their epic series THE SERPENT QUEEN  which arrives July 12th telling the story of Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton) who, against all odds,

The Bitch is back this July to Starz

became one of the most powerful and longest serving rulers in French history. The original bad bitch is back says the first trailer which you can check out below the post! It will also stream on Stan in Australia next winter.

 

IN THE SECOND SEASON OF THE SERIES

  Bill Milner joins 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. Minnie Driver is Elizabeth I the infamous Virgin Queen who goes toe-to-toe with Catherine and is a woman of style, wit and experience. Angus Imrie is 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 is Rahima who viewers first met in season one and has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life. Stanley Morgan is Anjou the younger brother of King Charles, who is non-conforming and capable of disruptive violence. Philippine Velge is princess Margot Catherine’s eldest daughter, who is her polar opposite. Incredibly charming, liked by all and seeks the truth. Rosalie Craig is Jeanne d’Albret the self-righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon. Isobel Jesper Jones is Edith, a protestant preacher to a group of loyal followers.  Ashley Thomas is Alessandro de Medici a man possessed with great charisma and beauty and is the object of desire. Alexandre Willaume is Montmorency the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king. Joining Morton in the returning cast are Danny Kirrane, Ray Panthaki, Raza Jaffrey, Enzo Cilenti, Amrita Acharia, Ruby Bentall, Beth Goddard, Ludivine Sagnier, Nicholas Burns, and Rupert Everett.

 

SEE THE FIRST IMAGES AND TEASER FROM SERPENT QUEEN SEASON TWO OF THE HISTORICAL SERIES WITH SAMANTHA MORTON AS CATHERINE DE MEDICI QUEEN OF FRANCE

   THE SERPENT QUEEN   

SEE THE FIRST IMAGES FROM SEASON TWO

Last month we finally got some updates from Starz for the second season of their epic series THE SERPENT QUEEN  and now we also have the first images from the continuation of the intriguing historical story. The second season is coming later this summer telling 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. The original bad bitch is back says the first fun teaser which you can check out below the post! It will also stream on Stan in Australia next winter.

 

IN THE SECOND SEASON OF THE SERIES

  Bill Milner joins 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. Minnie Driver is Elizabeth I the infamous Virgin Queen who goes toe-to-toe with Catherine and is a woman of style, wit and experience. Angus Imrie is 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 is Rahima who viewers first met in season one and has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life. Stanley Morgan is Anjou the younger brother of King Charles, who is non-conforming and capable of disruptive violence. Philippine Velge is princess Margot Catherine’s eldest daughter, who is her polar opposite. Incredibly charming, liked by all and seeks the truth. Rosalie Craig is Jeanne d’Albret the self-righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon. Isobel Jesper Jones is Edith, a protestant preacher to a group of loyal followers.  Ashley Thomas is Alessandro de Medici a man possessed with great charisma and beauty and is the object of desire. Alexandre Willaume is Montmorency the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king. Joining Morton in the returning cast are Danny Kirrane, Ray Panthaki, Raza Jaffrey, Enzo Cilenti, Amrita Acharia, Ruby Bentall, Beth Goddard, Ludivine Sagnier, Nicholas Burns, and Rupert Everett.

 

BILL MILNER IS NEW KING OF FRANCE IN SAMANTHA MORTON'S SERPENT QUEEN EPIC TV SERIES SEASON 2! SEE THE REST OF THE NEW CAST

   THE SERPENT QUEEN   

ADS NEW COURTIERS FOR SEASON TWO

We finally have updates from Starz for the second season of their epic series THE SERPENT QUEEN which is coming later this year telling 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. Bill Milner joins as King Charles IX the oldest son of Catherine de Medici, and

Bill Milner is the new king of France

the now King of France. Not a boy, but not quite a man, he is anxious to play king and get it right. Minnie Driver is Elizabeth I the infamous Virgin Queen who goes toe-to-toe with Catherine and is a woman of style, wit and experience. Angus Imrie is 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 is Rahima who viewers first met in season one and has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life. Stanley Morgan is Anjou the younger brother of King Charles, who is non-conforming and capable of disruptive violence. Philippine Velge is princess Margot Catherine’s eldest daughter, who is her polar opposite. Incredibly charming, liked by all and seeks the truth. Rosalie Craig is Jeanne d’Albret the self-

Stanley Morgan, Alexandre Willaume and Philippine Velge

righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon. Isobel Jesper Jones is Edith, a protestant preacher to a group of loyal followers.  Ashley Thomas is Alessandro de Medici a man possessed with great charisma and beauty and is the object of desire. Alexandre Willaume is Montmorency the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king.

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON DIANE DE POITIERS HISTORICAL SERIES ON FRENCH KING'S FAVOURITE WITH HUGO BECKER, ISABELLE ADJANI, GERARD DEPARDIEU, VIRGINIE LEDOYEN

  DIANE DE POITIERS SERIES 

THE KING'S FAVOURITE

Straight from the French court arrives new French historical mini series DIANE DE POITIERS which follows the life of the infamous French courtesan

The series is streaming on Salto

who held the French king in her wicked clutches for decades. Also known as THE KING'S FAVOURITE this costume drama is already streaming on French streamer Salto and will hit their France 2 channel from November 7th! The series has our dearest Hugo Becker as King Henry II, Virginie Ledoyen as Anne de Pisseleu, lead star Isabelle Adjani as the king's older lover Diane de Poitiers and Gaia Girace as the queen of France Catherine de Medici looking not very happy. Both Catherine and Diane look totally different than the ones depicted in The Serpent Queen series which is currently successfully airing over at Starz. The cast also has Gérard Depardieu as Nostradamus, Joey Starr as Comte de Kervannes, Olivier Gourmet as Charles Quint, Guillaume Galienne as Ambroise Paré, Samuel Labarthe as François 1st, and Jeanne Balibar as Marguerite de Navarre! The project is also being offered to international buyers as two 100minute episode series or four 50 minute episode one. You can also check out a clip showing the king fondling Diane while they are preparing poor Catherine for their first wedding night.

 

  IN THIS EPIC TV SERIES
about the royal Valois-Angoulême house who ruled in the midst of the Renaissance, a woman rides in the lead in the race for honours: her name is Diane de Poitiers, experienced huntress whose unalterable beauty fueled rumors and legends during her lifetime... and long after her death. Despite her unchallenged influence over Henry, the youngest son of Francis I, her position at court remained fragile in the face of the powerful rival Anne de Pisseleu, the King's favourite, who had a fierce hatred for her. And wasn't Henry's marriage to Catherine de Medici definitively compromising the dreams of Diana, who did not hesitate to compare herself to the goddess Artemis? Can the great Nostradamus (Gerard Depardieu) himself predict Diane's future? Can a simple courtesan escape the suspicions of the inquisition which relentlessly hunts down Protestants and witches? Almost a queen... More than a queen... Diane de Poitiers is a formidable firebrand, an icon of fashion and power, and a free woman.

 

PREMIUM SPOTLIGHT ON STARZ' THE SERPENT QUEEN CATHERINE DE MEDICI EPIC TV SERIES STARTING SEPTEMBER WITH SAMANTHA MORTON! CHECK OUT NEW CHARACTER PHOTOS!

  THE SERPENT QUEEN  

IT FEELS GOOD TO BE BAD 

Serpent Queen bows September 11th

As I already told you before this Autumn will be a season of female rulers when it comes to historical series, and beside the queens from Lord of the Rings series The Rings of Power, Netflix The Empress, French Marie Antoinette and queen Truselda of German tribes in the second season of Barbarians  THE SERPENT QUEEN is probably our most anticipated one. Starz has now given us new lavish photos from this new eight part historical series in which Samantha Morton plays one of the most frightening queens of all times - Catherine de Medici of France! The series will launch Sunday September 11th created by Justin Haythe and based on the 2004 non-fiction book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda. After it finishes, Dangerous Liaisons will take up the Sunday evening prime time premiere historical drama slot at Starz.

 

IF YOU DON'T TEACH YOUR ENEMIES THEIR LESSON, THEY WILL NEVER LEARN

Scheming and cunning, Catherine de Medici was one of the most powerful women in the world. After becoming an orphaned teenager from the famous ruling family of Medici and then marrying into the 16th century French court she is expected to bring a hefty dowry and produce many heirs, but Catherine discovers her husband is already in love with another woman and then, her dowry remains unpaid and she learns she is unable to conceive. But with intelligence and determination, she keeps her marriage alive, mastering the bloodsport of the monarchy and ruling France for 50 years. In THE SERPENT QUEEN, Catherine tells her story through flashbacks, defending her actions and imparting lessons she's learned to her new servant, Rahima (Sennia Nanua). When her uncle Pope Clement (Charles Dance) brokers her marriage and a geopolitical alliance with France, but she learns on her wedding night that her husband is in love with Diane de Poitiers (Ludivine Sagnier), a stunningly beautiful lady-in-waiting who is twice the king-to-be's age. Catherine is thrust into a world where she must learn quickly who she can trust and seek to outmaneuver anyone who underestimates her. The rest of the cast includes Liv Hill as the younger version of Catherine, Antonia Clarke as Catherine's daughter in law Mary Queen of Scots, whom Catherine sent back to Scotland after her son Francis (George Jacques) died and she officially became regent in her own right on behalf of her 10-year-old son Charles IX. She then ruled France for three years by herself until Charles reached his maturity. After Charles died in 1574, Catherine also played a key role in the reign of her third son, Henry III. He outlived her by just seven months. She was generally despised in history seen as enemy by both Catholics and Hugenots and scary to common folks who were afraid of her love for all things occult - her pet astrologer was famous Nostradamus.

WHO ARE THE COURTIERS?

Raza Jaffrey will appear as Duke Francois Guise,the leader of Catholics. Colm Meaney is Catherine's husband king of France. Enzo Cilenti will play Ruggieri, the magician  and soothsayer! Barry Atsma will be famous Montmorency, who cares about the greater good of the society he serves as its foremost military leader. Nicholas Burns portrays Antoine de Bourbon, the rival of Catherine's Valois family. Danny Kirrane is Louis de Bourbon, his stronger willed and more intelligent brother! Memet Ali Alabora will appear as Sultan Suleiman! Adam Garcia will also have a reoccurring role and I think it was him getting quartered in the trailer below. Lee Ingleby is the middle aged Henry and I've heard Rupert Everett will guest star.

 

BEHOLD SAMANTHA MORTON AS CATHERINE DE MEDICI AND HER ROYAL COURT IN THE SERPENT QUEEN EPIC TV SERIES LAVISH PHOTOS!

  THE SERPENT QUEEN  

BEHOLD THE COURTIERS!

A couple of weeks ago I brought you an exclusive list of all the period set shows we can expect to arrive to us this Autumn, and beside Lord of the Rings

The series will start September 11th on Starz

series The Rings of Power, THE SERPENT QUEEN is probably our most anticipated one. Starz has now given us first lavish photos from this new

Samantha Morton plays Catherine de Medici herself

eight part historical series in which Samantha Morton plays one of the most frightening queens of all times - Catherine de Medici of France! We can only

Charles Dance is the pope, Catherine's uncle

hope that the show will be better than their last dramas about famous queens - the godawful Spanish Princess and painfully almost atrociously dull Becoming Elizabeth. 

 

WHAT'LL THE SERIES BE ABOUT?

Scheming and cunning, Catherine de Medici was one of the most powerful women in the world. After becoming an orphaned teenager from the famous ruling family of Medici and then marrying into the 16th century

Liv Hill is a rather strange choice for young Catherine

French court she is expected to bring a hefty dowry and produce many heirs, but Catherine discovers her husband is already in love with another woman and then, her dowry remains unpaid and she learns she is unable to conceive. But with intelligence and determination, she keeps her marriage alive,

Diane de Poitiers is strangely ugly in the series for some reason

mastering the bloodsport of the monarchy and ruling France for 50 years. In THE SERPENT QUEEN, Catherine tells her story through flashbacks, defending her actions and imparting lessons she's learned to her new servant, Rahima (Sennia Nanua). When her uncle Pope Clement (Charles Dance)

Mary Queen of Scots and her ladies in waiting

brokers her marriage and a geopolitical alliance with France, but she learns on her wedding night that her husband is in love with Diane de Poitiers (Ludivine Sagnier), a stunningly beautiful lady-in-waiting who is twice the king-to-be's age. Catherine is thrust into a world where she must learn quickly who she can trust and seek to outmaneuver anyone who underestimates her.

Ludivine Sagnier is the strangest choice for Diane de Poitiers

The rest of the cast includes Liv Hill as the younger version of Catherine, Antonia Clarke as Catherine's daughter in law Mary Queen of Scots, whom Catherine sent back to Scotland after her son Francis (George Jacques) died and she officially became regent in her own right on behalf of her 10-year-old son Charles IX. She then ruled France for three years by herself until Charles

Liv Hill as the rather unattractive and dull young Catherine

reached his maturity. After Charles died in 1574, Catherine also played a key role in the reign of her third son, Henry III. He outlived her by just seven months. She was generally despised in history seen as enemy by both Catholics and Hugenots and scary to common folks who were afraid of her love for all things occult - her pet astrologer was famous Nostradamus.

WHO ARE THE COURTIERS?

Raza Jaffrey will appear as Duke Francois Guise,the leader of Catholics. Colm Meaney is Catherine's husband king of France. Enzo Cilenti will play Ruggieri, the magician  and soothsayer! Barry Atsma will be famous Montmorency, who cares about the greater good of the society he serves as its

Senia Nanua is Catherine's servant Rahima

foremost military leader. Nicholas Burns portrays Antoine de Bourbon, the rival of Catherine's Valois family. Danny Kirrane is Louis de Bourbon, his stronger willed and more intelligent brother! Memet Ali Alabora will appear as Sultan Suleiman! Adam Garcia will probably be Nostradamus but that is just my guess.