The Serpent Queen (2022)

Overview
Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.
Starring Cast
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Bias Dimensions
Overview
Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she’s unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Primary
The series explores the ruthless pragmatism required for a woman to survive and wield power in a patriarchal 16th-century court, presenting a morally ambiguous protagonist who navigates political and religious conflicts through cunning and individual agency rather than promoting a specific ideological solution.
The series demonstrates explicit DEI through its casting choices, introducing visible diversity into a historical European setting. Furthermore, the narrative strongly critiques the patriarchal power structures of the 16th century, portraying traditional male authority as an oppressive force that the female protagonist must navigate and overcome.
Secondary
The show features multiple LGBTQ+ characters, including a bisexual king and a lesbian lady-in-waiting. Their relationships are portrayed with dignity and complexity, contributing to the historical court's social fabric without being sensationalized or denigrated. The narrative maintains a respectful and empathetic stance toward queer identities, framing any challenges as external societal pressures.
The series consistently portrays Christianity, specifically the conflict between Catholic and Protestant factions, as a primary driver of political manipulation, hypocrisy, and brutal violence. The narrative uses dark humor and Catherine's cynical perspective to highlight the destructive consequences of religious intolerance and the self-serving actions of those in power who exploit faith. It critiques the institutional and political manifestations of religion rather than individual faith.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Serpent Queen is a historical drama depicting real historical figures from the French court. All major characters are portrayed with their historically documented gender, with no instances of a gender swap.
The series portrays historical figures, including Catherine de' Medici, with actors matching their documented race. Original characters introduced in the show do not fall under the definition of a race swap.
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