Where to Watch The Serpent Queen in the UK

The Serpent Queen makes every episode count, and right now it's all streaming on Stan and beyond. A strong pick for any drama fan.

The Serpent Queen takes its time building the world its characters inhabit, and the patience pays off. 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. Samantha Morton and Amrita Acharia lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. The series ran for 2 seasons (2022–2024), building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling and well-observed characters will be completely at home — if you loved Carnivàle, this has a similar depth. The kind of television that makes everything else feel thin by comparison.