‘Harlots’ star will lead cast of new Catherine de Medici drama

Starz has announced the first details for The Serpent Queen.

Set in 16th century France, the upcoming period drama series will star Samantha Morton as the nefarious Catherine de Medici.

The two-time Oscar-nominated English actress is best known for her roles in Harlots, Rillington Place, and Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them.

Created by writer and executive producer Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road), the show is described as “a cunning account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown.”

The official synopsis reads: “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 conceive.

“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.”

Based on Leonie Frieda’s book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France, the eight-part series will begin filming later this year.

Harlots ran for three seasons on Hulu before coming to an end in 2019.

Samantha Morton is currently filming Save the Cinema in Wales, a new feel-good movie set in the 1990’s.

The Serpent Queen will premiere in 2022 on Starz, the home of Outlander.

Harlots is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.