‘The Serpent Queen’: Minnie Driver Among 10 Cast In Starz Period Drama’s Second Season

The Starz period drama The Serpent Queen is beefing up its cast for Season 2.

Academy Award nominee Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting, Chevalier) is among 10 new cast members, both series regulars and recurring stars, joining the Samantha Morton-led series set to return with new episodes later this year.

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Regulars include Angus Imrie (Emma), Emma McDonald (Moonhaven), Stanley Morgan (I Used to Be Famous) and Philippine Velge (Station Eleven). Rosalie Craig (1899), Isobel Jesper Jones (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), Bill Milner (Son of Rambow), Ashley Thomas (Them) and Alexandre Willaume (The Wheel of Time) will recur.

The Serpent Queen tells the story of Catherine de Medici (Morton) who, against all odds, became one of the most powerful and longest-serving rulers in French history.

Driver plays “Elizabeth I” the infamous ‘Virgin Queen.’ Elizabeth goes toe-to-toe with Catherine and is a woman of style, wit and experience. Imrie plays “Henry IV” the son of Antoine de Bourbon and Jeanne d’Albret, he appears uncivilized, to the unobservant observer but in reality, he is quite an intellect.

McDonald plays “Rahima” who viewers first met in season one. Rahima has grown in wit and confidence and now has assumed an important position in Catherine’s life. Morgan plays “Anjou” the younger brother of King Charles, who is non-conforming and capable of disruptive violence. Velge plays “Margot” Catherine’s eldest daughter, her polar opposite. Incredibly charming, liked by all and seeks the truth.

Craig plays “Jeanne d’Albret” the self-righteous and disapproving wife of Antonie de Bourbon. Jones plays “Edith,” a protestant preacher to a group of loyal followers. Milner plays “King Charles IX” the oldest son of Catherine de Medici, and the now King of France. Not a boy, but not quite a man, he is anxious to play king and get it right.

Thomas plays “Alessandro de Medici” a man with great charisma and beauty and is the object of desire. Willaume plays “Montmorency” the wise and humorless Constable General of France. He is a loyal and serious servant of the king.

The Serpent Queen is based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda and is by writer and executive producer Justin Haythe. The series is executive produced by Francis Lawrence and Erwin Stoff. The series is produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.

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