Exclusive Serpent Queen Sneak Peek: Minnie Driver Makes Her Debut as a ‘Witty, Wily’ Queen Elizabeth I
This Friday on Starz’s The Serpent Queen, a nearly unrecognizable Minnie Driver makes her debut as Queen Elizabeth I — and TVLine has an exclusive sneak peek at the grand dame’s introduction.
The Serpent Queen tells the story of Catherine de Medici (played by Samantha Morton) who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history. In Season 2, Catherine is Queen Regent of France now that her son, Charles IX has come of age. When a mysterious prophet named Edith gains a loyal following who vow to challenge the current religious establishment, it ignites tension across the country.
More from TVLine
House of the Dragon Finale Trailer Promises 'No Mercy' in the Harrowing Battle to Come
The Rookie Stars Tease 'Bumpy' Romantic Roads Ahead, Hype 'Cop Moms' Spinoff - WATCH
Batman: Caped Crusader: Minnie Driver to Play a Gender-Flipped Penguin (!) - Get a First Look
Feeling threatened by the rising strain, the divided court turn to their own schemes for selfish benefit. But when the Guises commit unholy acts, the Bourbons turn to a familiar foreign sovereign — Queen Elizabeth I of England — in hopes of personal gain.
“It was an honor to play Queen Elizabeth I,” the British Driver shared this month at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “I think that what [series creator] Justin [Haythe] wrote, the Elizabeth that I felt, was this witty, wily, slightly feral queen. And I hadn’t seen that before in all the books that I’ve read or the pictures that I’ve seen, and how I’d imagined her since I was a child learning about her in school. I felt like I could feel who the woman was behind the Queen, and I was very interested in her and who she is.”
In Driver’s debut episode, titled “Death of a Prince” and airing this Friday at 8/7c, news of the prophet Edith’s miracle spreads throughout Europe. When France’s fragile political climate reaches Elizabeth, the Bourbon’s trade proposal leverages an opportunity for England to exploit France. Catherine in turn must urgently return to France when Anjou’s temper causes Hercule to be dangerously injured.
Watch an exclusive sneak peek above, in which Queen Elizabeth I’s croquet practice is interrupted by Jeanne d’Albret (Rosalie Craig], the queen of Navarre — where that is! — and the “unique opportunity” she presents.
Want scoop on The Serpent Queen, or for any other TV show ? Email [email protected], and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!
Best of TVLine
Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter