'The Serpent Queen' Season 2 Premieres with a "Grand Tour"

Season 2 of The Serpent Queen opens in 1572  as Catherine (Samantha Morton) and her family take a Grand Tour, a gesture of reconciliation – or propaganda, depending on your level of cynicism – toward their subjects, starving, superstitious peasants disenchanted with the Catholic Church. She’s no longer Regent since her eldest son, King Charles IX (Bill Milner), has come of age. But do you think she will settle quietly and let him rule?

Catherine: Life is about what you are willing to do to survive and I am willing to do anything.

United in their disdain for the ordinary people, Catherine’s privileged, bickering royal children lounge in their coach, and only Princess Margot (Philippine Velge) has any concept of the gulf between peasants and the palace. As soon as the coaches come into view, entertainers appear, and the crowd surges forward. The Guards quickly move in while the royal family backs away, alarmed that things may get out of control. But suddenly, the peasants sink to their knees as they see Catherine. “Never underestimate the power of presentation,” Catherine tells us.