Series synopsis
The Serpent is a British drama crime television series that premiered on BBC One on January 1, 2021. It ended on February 14, 2021. It was created by Richard Warlow, Toby Finlay. It stars Tahar Rahim, Jenna Coleman, Billy Howle and Ellie Bamber.
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.
Premise
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.
Premise: What does it take to catch a killer?
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Tahar Rahim as Charles Sobhraj
- Jenna Coleman as Marie-Andrée Leclerc
- Billy Howle as Herman Knippenberg
- Ellie Bamber as Angela Knippenberg
- Mathilde Warnier as Nadine Gires
- Grégoire Isvarine as Rémi Gires
- Tim McInnerny as Paul Siemons
- Alice Englert as Teresa Knowlton
Supporting cast
- Ellie de Lange as Helena Dekker
- Armand Rosbak as Willem Bloem
- Sahajak Boonthanakit as Major General Janthasin
- Kenneth Won as Yotin
- Amesh Edireweera as Ajay Chowdhury
- İlker Kaleli as Vitali Hakim
- Fabien Frankel as Dominique Renelleau
- Stuart Bowman as Graeme Stanton
- Nicole Beutler as Dagmar Boeder
- Chicha Amatayakul as Suda Romyen
- Adam Rothenberg as Gilbert Redland
- Damon Herriman as Laver
Guest cast
- Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Celia Wilson
- James Gerard as Jules Dupont
- Ryan O'Donnell as Greg Raynott
- Raphael Roger Levy as Count Michel-Andre Jurion
- Gigi Velicitat as Monsieur Renelleau
- Tim McMullan as Douglas Cartwright
- Darshan Jariwala as Laxman
- Charlie Ruedpokanon as Captain Chupong
- Colin Stinton as Bastien
- Ezra Faroque Khan as Priest
- Gabrielle Lazure as Mme Parry
- Alma Jodorowsky as Stéphane Parry
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 16 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | January 1, 2021 | February 14, 2021 |
| Season 2 | 8 | July 12, 2024 | August 30, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Bangkok, 1975. Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg investigates the disappearance of a young couple who were last seen alive at the apartment of gem dealer Charles Sobhraj. |
January 1, 2021 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Marie-Andrée Leclerc leaves her life behind for the love of Charles Sobhraj but discovers the chilling cost. Herman vows to investigate the murders of the Dutch couple. |
January 3, 2021 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Young Frenchman Dominique Renelleau tries to escape Charles Sobhraj’s terrifying lair. As he listens to Nadine and Remi’s testimony, Herman realises the scale of Charles’s crimes. |
January 10, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Grand Tour Catherine aims to unite France under King Charles IX, pushing her agenda of a secular state; the Bourbons present an ambitious trade deal with Protestant England; as tensions rise on the Privy Council, the Guise's plan to reignite religious conflict. |
July 12, 2024 |
| 2 |
Second Coming With peace balanced on a knife's edge, Catherine attempts to calm tensions by allowing the Bourbons to pursue the trade deal with England. Catherine halts the investigation into the Duke of Guise's arson involvement. |
July 19, 2024 |
| 3 |
Death of a Prince News of Edith's miracle spreads throughout Europe; the Bourbon's leverage an opportunity for England to exploit France; Catherine must return urgently to France when Anjou's temper causes damage. |
July 26, 2024 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 1, 2021 |
| Last aired | February 14, 2021 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Friday at 21:00:00 |