The new period drama series “Marie Antoinette,” chronicles the infamous historical figure’s beginnings from a young dauphine to the last queen of France. The new series follows a young Marie Antoinette as she learns the rules and secrets of the court and attempts to recreate Versailles in her image: free, independent and feminist. But her successes provoke jealousy and rivalry, and her royal enemies will do everything they can to bring her down. The eight-episode series stars Emilia Schüle (“Berlin Dance School”) as the title character, with Louis Cunningham (“Bridgerton”) as the dauphin of France, Louis XVI.
“Marie Antoinette” premieres Sunday March 10, 9-10 p.m. on Panhandle PBS and will be available to stream on all PBS platforms including PBS.org, the PBS app, PBS passport and the PBS MASTERPIECE Prime Video Channel.
Marie Antoinette is just a teenager when she leaves Austria to marry the dauphin of France. When she arrives at Versailles, she must obey the numerous and complex rules of the French court. The princess quickly suffers from not being able to live her life the way she wants, while her mother, the empress of Austria (Marthe Keller, “Marathon Man”), keeps pushing her to continue the Bourbon line and thus secure the alliance between the two countries. However, faced with Louis’ avoidant and solitary character, the mission turns out to be more complicated than expected. As defamatory pamphlets and persistent rumors about her private life undermine her status, her opponents within the royal family will do everything they can to bring her down.
Rounding out the ensemble cast are Gaia Weiss (“Vikings”), James Purefoy (“Rome”), Jack Archer (“Call the Midwife”), Jasmine Backborow (“Shadow and Bone”), Oscar Lesage (“Dangerous Liaisons”), Crystal Shepherd-Cross (“Chronicles of the Sun”), Roxane Duran (“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”), Caroline Piette (“Beats Per Minute”) and others.
Offering a rare glimpse into how the young princess turned into one of history’s most iconic leaders, Marie Antoinette, delivers breathtaking costumes and set design that take viewers to the Palace of Versailles at the height of the “ancien régime.”
Episode One: “The Slap”
Marie Antoinette is just a teenager when she’s forced to leave Austria to marry the dauphin. She must produce a Bourbon heir to secure the alliance between France and Austria. But she’s as unprepared for her job as her awkward teenage husband. How will this free spirit react to Versailles with its ridiculous rules of etiquette?
Episode Two: “Rival Queens”
When Louis refuses to share his bed with her, Marie Antoinette realizes that producing an heir will not be straightforward. She turns to Madame du Barry for support. But the favorite begins to see the dauphine as a rival for the king’s affections. There can’t be two queens at Versailles, and du Barry isn’t about to disappear.
Episode Three: “Pick a Princess”
The royal family goes on holiday at Fontainebleau to escape stifling Versailles. Marie Antoinette discovers du Barry’s plan to welcome Provence’s betrothed. Will the spare to the French throne deliver a son before she and Louis perform their duty? Marie Antoinette’s escalating hostilities with du Barry threaten her relationship with the king.
Episode Four: “Queen of France”
Marie Antoinette and Louis are about to make their first official visit to Paris. But when the king becomes seriously ill, the succession suddenly becomes a reality. Du Barry knows that if she doesn’t protect herself from the future queen of France, her time at Versailles will be over.
