'The Serpent Queen' Tees Up Battle Between Catherine de Medici and Minnie Driver's Queen Elizabeth I

The first season of The Serpent Queen on Starz proved that Catherine De Medici (Samantha Morton) is not to be messed with, but what happens when the “Italian witch” goes toe-to-toe with someone on her level? 

Journalists at the 2024 Television Critics Association summer press tour, including TellyVisions, were shown a preview of the upcoming season in which Catherine confronts Queen Elizabeth I, played by a borderline unidentifiable Minnie Driver, about Elizabeth’s dalliance with Catherine’s sons. While many in the French court are terrified of Catherine, Elizabeth doesn’t bat an eye before defending herself to the Queen Regent. 

“This Elizabeth was a slightly feral queen,” Minnie Driver told reporters at the TCA. “These are two businesswomen. These are two business people in need, and there was no one else [at their level] at that time. They are recognizing each other.” 

Morton was excited to dive into Catherine’s new conflict and revealed what she finds so interesting about this character. 

“There are so many layers and elements to her strength and resilience. More than anything, this is about resilience and survival,” the actress said. “It’s my understanding that a lot of history has been written by men. This is written by Justin [Haythe, showrunner], but it’s left to us to interpret in the most human and contemporary way that we possibly can.” 

If you are one of the history buffs out there getting ready to argue that Catherine and Elizabeth never hung out, showrunner Justin Haythe is ready for you. 

"We have a principle that if you can prove it happened, we are obliged to do it. I didn’t want to create a world where you weren’t frightened for the characters…You need to worry that Catherine is in a fight for survival," he explained. "At the same time, if you can’t prove It didn’t happen, we can do it. There’s no substantiated meeting [between Catherine and Elizabeth], historically, but no one can prove they didn’t do it off the books. You know the history, but this was such an absurd group of people and such an absurd time. Anything that I could invent is not as weird as what they were doing." 

Driver's Elizabeth is not the only new character being added to the series for Season 2. Nearly a dozen new faces have joined the cast, including Angus Imrie (Fleabag) as Henry de Bourbon-Navarre; Rosalie Craig (The Tower) as Jeanne d'Albret; Ashley Thomas (Great Expectations) as Alessandro de Medici, and Alexandre Willaume (1899) as Montmorency, the Constable General of France. Also new to the series, though their characters aren't, are the kids and teens who are now reaching adulthood. Bill Milner (The Flatshare) takes over the role of Charles IX, with Phillippine Velge (Station Eleven) as Catherine's eldest daughter, Margot, Stanley Morgan (Sexy Beast) as Hercules, Duke of Anjou, her youngest surviving son, and Emma McDonald (Moonhaven) as an aged-up Rahima.

The Serpent Queen Season 2 premieres Friday, July 12 at midnight on the STARZ app. Its linear broadcast debut will occur on STARZ at 8 pm ET/PT in the U.S. and 9:00 pm ET/PT in Canada.