
Scripted series · The CW
Reign
Love is the most dangerous subject.
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How Reign actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
Reign reads strongest on Character Depth, Emotional Weight and Bingeability.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
Mary, Queen of Scots, faces political and sexual intrigue in the treacherous world of the French court.
The run
Seasons
4 seasons · 78 episodes.

Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
201322 episodes
6.4IMDbHidden between the lines of the history books is the story of Mary Stuart, the young woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots. The teenage Mary is already a headstrong monarch - beautiful, passionate and poised at the very beginning of her tumultuous rise to power. Arriving in France with four close friends as her ladies-in-waiting, Mary has been sent to secure Scotland's strategic alliance by formalizing her arranged engagement to the French king's dashing son, Prince Francis. But the match isn't signed and sealed, it depends more on politics, religion and secret agendas than affairs of the heart. Prince Francis is intrigued by the fiery Scot, but like most young men, he resists the idea of settling down into marriage, especially when he has a history with a lady of the court and his own point of view on the wisdom of an alliance with Scotland. Still, an attraction between Mary and Francis is ignited.
Best episode · S01E03 Kissed

Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
201422 episodes
5.4IMDbThe second season of Reign begins with Mary and Francis on the throne of a nation burning. France is rocked by the aftereffects of the plague, a disease that creeps inside the castle walls, taking thousands upon thousands of lives across the land, and ravages the stability of a nation. From the ashes, powerful lords will rise, carrying out personal, religious and political vendettas, taking lives, and tearing at Mary and Francis's commitment to each other, and their people. Friendships will be tested, loved ones murdered and betrayed. Meanwhile, a mysterious and deadly threat snatches victims from village streets and castle corridors; leaving evidence of savagery that looks like the work of monsters; mythical creatures who are the subject of nightmares, but who walk among us, doing the Devil's bidding.
Best episode · S02E14 The End of Mourning

Season 3 · Complete
Season 3
201518 episodes
6.6IMDbReign begins its third season with Mary and Francis realizing that they are more powerful together than apart, believing there is hope for them to move forward, leaving behind the anger and hurt. It also introduces us to another Court, that of Elizabeth, "Virgin" Queen of England. Still early in her reign, Elizabeth faces opposition on all sides, particularly from men who doubt a woman's ability to rule. Like Mary, and Catherine de Medici, she struggles to hold onto power, and love; the women have much in common, and Mary and Elizabeth are reluctant foes, but foes nonetheless, each positioned by birth and fate to destroy all the other holds dear.
Best episode · S03E08 Our Undoing

Season 4 · Complete
Season 4
201716 episodes
6.5IMDbReign begins its fourth season with Mary vowing to avenge the death of a close friend. Power struggles continue as the beautiful, passionate and poised Queen continues her journey.
Best episode · S04E04 Playing with Fire
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.

S01E03
Kissed
A Portuguese prince offers much-needed aid to Scotland if Mary accepts his marriage proposal and break things off with Francis. Elsewhere, Francis' feelings for Mary lead him to put Bash in a risky situation.
- Directed by Holly Dale
- Written by Doris Egan

S01E17
Liege Lord
Mary uncovers her marriage contract's secret clause, which was added by Catherine and her mother, so she and Francis attempt to persuade the people of Scotland to renounce her mother.
- Directed by Allan Kroeker
- Written by Doris Egan

S01E08
Fated
Nostradamus shares with Mary his prophecy about a death, which leads Mary to make a big decision concerning Francis. Meanwhile, Clarissa gets brazen as she pursues her goals; and Kenna tells Catherine about Diane's intentions regarding Bash.
- Directed by Fred Gerber
- Written by Laurie McCarthy

S02E14
The End of Mourning
As Mary and Francis investigate who was behind the poisoning of King Henry (Alan Van Sprang), they unearth secrets of the past which force Mary to confront her feelings for Conde as she attempts to move forward. Catherine finds herself in the middle of a romantic triangle when the Duke of Guise (guest star Gil Darnell) returns, which forces Narcisse (Craig Parker) to commit a hideous act out of desperation. Meanwhile, Greer (Celina Sinden) finds herself in a situation she never fathomed in order to survive.
- Directed by Nathaniel Goodman
- Written by Nancy Won, Laurie McCarthy

S01E02
Snakes in the Garden
Mary and Francis play up their romance after an English envoy expresses doubts about their union. Elsewhere, Catherine seeks to eliminate an individual who's aware of her scheme to destroy Mary.
- Directed by Matthew Hastings
- Written by Laurie McCarthy

S01E10
Sacrifice
An assassination attempt is made on Bash's life, and Catherine appears to be responsible for it. Meanwhile, Mary offers assistance to a jailed peasant who has a curious link to Bash; and Lola tries to stop Catherine from meddling with Bash and Mary.
- Directed by Rachel Talalay
- Written by Daniel Sinclair, P.K. Simonds
Recently aired
Latest Episodes

S04E16
All It Cost Her
- Directed by Holly Dale
- Written by April Blair, Laurie McCarthy

S04E15
Blood in the Water
- Directed by Charles Binamé
- Written by Wendy Riss, Drew Lindo

S04E14
A Bride. A Box. A Body.
- Directed by Andy Mikita
- Written by April Blair, Robert D. Doty

S04E13
Coup de Grace
- Directed by Megan Follows
- Written by John J. Sakmar, Kenny Lenhart

S04E12
The Shakedown
- Directed by Norma Bailey
- Written by Patricia Carr, Lara Olsen

Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
- Photo unavailable
Laurie McCarthy
Showrunner

Stephanie Sengupta
Creator
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Lily Sparks
Writer
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Aaron Harberts
Writer
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David Babcock
Writer
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Erika Lippoldt
Writer
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Lisa Randolph
Writer

Nancy Won
Writer
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Mike Herro
Writer
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Chris Atwood
Writer
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Patricia Carr
Writer
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April Blair
Writer
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Daniel Sinclair
Writer

Jennie Snyder Urman
Writer
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Wendy Riss
Writer

John J. Sakmar
Writer
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Gretchen J. Berg
Writer
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Shannon Goss
Writer

Kamran Pasha
Writer
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Robert D. Doty
Writer
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Doris Egan
Writer
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Lara Olsen
Writer
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Edgar Lyall
Writer
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Charles Grant Craig
Writer
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Chelsey Lora
Writer
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Daniel Sinclair
Writer
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Melody Fox
Writer

Alan McCullough
Writer
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Kerry Lenhart
Writer

Adele Lim
Writer
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David Strauss
Writer
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Bo Yeon Kim
Writer

Harley Peyton
Writer
- Photo unavailable
Hannah Schneider
Writer
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Drew Lindo
Writer
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Kenny Lenhart
Writer
- Photo unavailable
P.K. Simonds
Writer
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Thom J. PretakProducer
- Alan McCulloughProducer
Writing
- Lily SparksWriter
- Aaron HarbertsWriter
- David BabcockWriter
- Erika LippoldtWriter
- Lisa RandolphWriter
- Nancy WonWriter
Direction
- Stuart GillardDirector
- David FrazeeDirector
- Andy MikitaDirector
- Helen ShaverDirector
- Jeremiah S. ChechikDirector
- Dawn WilkinsonDirector
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- Amazon Prime VideoStreaming
- Amazon VideoBuy
- Google Play MoviesBuy
- Fandango At HomeBuy
- Amazon Prime Video with AdsStreaming
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