The Serpent Queen is an American historical drama television series by Justin Haythe. The show was primarily filmed in France and Italy. It revolves around the life of Catherine de' Medici, the 16th-century Queen of France. Actress Samantha Morton plays her character in the show. The Serpent Queen made its debut on Starz on September 11, 2022.
The series is based on Leonie Frieda's 2004 nonfiction book titled Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France. In The Serpent Queen, Catherine de' Medici is a young Italian noblewoman. When she's only 14, she is married off to Henry, the younger son of King Francis with a big dowry. But things don't go as planned as her husband has someone else in his heart, and she can't have kids.
Catherine fights all odds and finds a way to keep her marriage while ruling as the queen for thirty years. She talks directly to the viewers making them a part of her story. The show is set in the early 1600s, with amazing palaces and halls that make you wonder where they filmed the sequences.
This article delves into all the filming sites used for shooting the show.
Exploring The Serpent Queen filming locations
The Serpent Queen transports viewers to the 16th century with its breathtaking locations and intricate costumes. Catherine de' Medici is the queen of France, so her story had to start in her home country. That includes Italy and France, specifically Marseille, Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceaux, Villandry, and Castel Gandolfo.
The production team made the most of the COVID downtime. They even filmed at some of the same locations where the real Catherine lived and walked.
1) Chateau de Chenonceau, Chambord:
The Serpent Queen tells Catherine’s story through flashbacks, where she explains her actions and shares her lessons with her servant girl, Rahima. The filming locations include beautiful places like Château de Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, and Bourges Cathedral.
The Château de Chenonceau was where the king and his mistress Diane de Poitiers lived. After the king passes away, Catherine kicks Diane out and takes the chateau for herself. Actress Samantha Morton was thrilled to film at the actual location.
Samantha shared her experience with Entertainment Weekly during an interview, she said,
"To touch the stone where Catherine would have touched, to be able to walk on the stones where she walked felt really unnerving and inspiring and spooky."
The film crew mostly shot the outdoor scenes at these places. For the indoor scenes, they reportedly built a set that looked just like the fancy 16th-century decorations.
2) Marseille, France:
The team behind The Serpent Queen headed to Marseille, France's second-largest city, to film some scenes. Marseille is a coastal city on the Gulf of Lion, where the Rhône River meets the sea. It has a special vibe that makes it stand out from the rest of France. The city is also a hub for culture and entertainment, with many historical and maritime museums.
3) Amboise, France:
Some important scenes for The Serpent Queen were filmed in Amboise, a charming town in central France. This place is known for the beautiful Clos Lucé manor house, and a 20th-century fountain created by Max Ernst in the marketplace.
4) Loire Valley, France:
The Loire Valley in Central France is a UNESCO World Heritage. The valley is home to some amazing châteaux, vineyards, and historic towns. People call it the "Garden of France" because of its beauty. The longest river of the country, Loire River runs through this valley.
There are over 300 castles and palaces in the area. Amongst the most famous monuments include Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Villandry.
5) Papal Palace, Italy:
The Papal Palace is the Pope's official home in the Catholic Church. It's a big deal that The Serpent Queen was allowed to be filmed there, along with other amazing locations in France.
Speaking to CinemaBlend, Liv Hill said:
"Then when we went to Italy to film for five days, we were the first people to ever have filmed in the Papal Palace. So it was gorgeous."
What is the rating for The Serpent Queen?
The Serpent Queen has become a hit with critics. Even though it hasn't gotten a lot of attention from a majority of viewers, the first season of the show kept a perfect 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Catherine de' Medici is known as one of the most powerful women in history. She had to rely on her wit and determination to survive in the 16th-century French court. Despite all the problems thrown her way, she used her intelligence to stand firm in the royal game. Catherine ruled France for 50 years.
The show's clever writing, intricate plot, and Samantha Morton's performance have all received high praise. It's a mix of dark humor, politics, and historical accuracy, making it a must-see for fans of the genre. The Serpent Queen wrapped its second season with its final episode on August 30.
Both seasons of The Serpent Queen are available to stream on Starz and Prime Video.
