Reign

Reign is a historical romantic drama television series created by Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta for The CW. Set in the late 16th century, the series revolves around the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her rise to power in the French court. The series stars Adelaide Kane as Queen Mary Stuart, alongside an ensemble cast. The series premiered on October 17, 2013, on The CW and concluded after four seasons on June 16, 2017. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, in association with Joyful Girl Productions, Take 5 Productions, and Toronto-based Whizbang Films. In February 2013, The CW ordered a pilot for a television series loosely based on Mary Stuart's life and largely favor fictionalized storylines than historical accuracy; Kane was cast in the lead role that same month. Filming primarily took place between Toronto and the Republic of Ireland. Premise The first season opens in 1557, with fifteen-year-old Queen Mary Stuart living in a convent in France, but she is quickly returned to the castle where we learn she is awaiting her marriage to fifteen-year-old Crown Prince Francis, to whom she has been engaged since they were six. Mary has to contend with changing politics and power plays, as well as her burgeoning feelings for and the romantic attentions of Francis' bastard half-brother, Bash. Francis' mother, Catherine de' Medici, secretly tries to prevent the marriage following Nostradamus’ confidential prediction that the marriage will lead to Francis' death. The series also follows the affairs of Mary's Scottish handmaidens Lady Kenna Livingston, Lady Aylee Seton, Lady Lola Fleming and Lady Greer Norwood (based on "the Four Lady Marys"), who are searching for noble husbands of their own at French Court. The second season opens after the death of King Henry II and follows the rise of Francis and Mary as King and Queen of France and Scotland. Together they have to balance their marriage with their roles as monarchs, and deal with the rising religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, as well as the ambitions of the rival House of Bourbon for the throne of France.