Where was The Serpent Queen filmed? All filming locations explored

The Serpent Queen is an American historical drama based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda. The show was filmed on location in France and Italy.

It tells the story of the 16th-century Queen of France, Catherine de Medici, who married into the French royalty at 14. Her life was filled with trials and turbulence as she had to deal with her unfaithful husband and his mistress from an early age. She grew up to be a strong and resilient queen against all odds.

The series, created by Justin Haythe, premiered on Starz on September 11, 2022. It stars Samantha Morton, Amrita Acharia, Barry Atsma, Enzo Cilenti, Sennia Nanua, and Kiruna Stamell in prominent roles.

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The Serpent Queen was filmed in France and Italy

The show takes the viewers on a gorgeous trip down history through the castles, palaces, and landscapes of medieval Europe. Here are the primary filming locations of the series.

In France, the principal filming locations were Marseille, Amboise, Chambord, Chenonceaux, and Villandry. While in Italy, the show was shot in Castel Gandolfo.

Amboise and Marseille, France

The beautiful cities of Amboise and Marseille, which have kept the heritage of French history well restored, became the prime locations where the series was shot.

The beautiful landscapes of the cities were masterfully used by the production team to take the viewers back in time, and the iconic landmarks and geographical sites made the drama come to life.

Chambord, Chenonceau, and Villandry, France

The French nobility and royalty were known for their grandeur and opulence. The Serpent Queen shot in actual chateaus to showcase the same. Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Villandry all had special significance in the life of Catherine de' Medici.

The makers mostly used the exterior of these grand castles, while the interior scenes were filmed by creating a set that replicated the 16th-century opulence.

Castel Gandolfo, Italy

The beautiful town located 16 miles southeast of Rome in the Lazio region is where most of the Italy portion of the series was filmed. The early scenes of Catherine's childhood were shot in and around the Papal Palace. The palace is also known for being the summer residence of the Pope.

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The plot and cast of The Serpent Queen

Italian political philosopher Machiavelli said, 'It's better to be feared than loved.' The Serpent Queen tells the story of how Catherine de' Medici, an Italian noblewoman, had to deal with this harsh reality at a young age and learned to survive in a cruel world while maintaining and consolidating her power.

The show begins with Catherine telling her story to a servant girl, Rahima. She was married to the French King Henry II at age 14 by Pope Clement VII. After marriage, she had to deal with her husband's unfaithfulness and his mistress while also surviving in a court where she was an outsider.

The main cast of The Serpent Queen

• Samantha Morton as Catherine de' Medici
• Liv Hill as the younger Catherine
• Amrita Acharia as Aabis
• Ruby Bentall as Angelica
• Enzo Cilenti as Cosimo Ruggeri
• Sennia Nanua and Emma McDonald
• Kiruna Stamell as Mathilde
• Nicholas Burns as Antoine de Bourbon
• Beth Goddard as Antoinette de Guise
• Raza Jaffrey as Francois, Duc de Guise
• Danny Kirrane as Louis de Bourbon
• Ray Panthaki as Charles, Cardinal de Guise
• Angus Imrie as Henry of Navarre
• Bill Milner as Charles IX
• Stanley Morgan as the Duke of Anjou
• Philippine Velge as Margot

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The Serpent Queen is available for streaming on Starz.