Network: The CW
Episodes: 78 (hour)
Seasons: Four
TV show dates: October 17, 2013 — June 16, 2017
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Adelaide Kane, Toby Regbo, Torrance Coombs, Megan Follows, Alan Van Sprang, Celina Sinden, Caitlin Stasey, Anna Popplewell, and Jenessa Grant.
TV show description:
This dramatic series takes place in the 16th century and revolves around headstrong monarch Mary Stuart (Adelaide Kane), the teenager who will become known as Mary, Queen of Scots.
Arriving in France with four close friends — Greer (Celina Sinden), Kenna (Caitlin Stasey), Lola (Anna Popplewell) and Aylee (Jenessa Grant) — 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 (Toby Regbo).
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. However, like most young men, he resists the idea of settling down into marriage. 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.
Further complicating matters is Francis’ handsome and roguish half-brother, Bash (Torrance Coombs). He has a history of his own. Despite his illegitimate birth, Bash is his father’s favorite. Though he is all too aware that Francis is the heir to the throne and Mary’s intended, Bash soon develops his own feelings for Mary.
None of the intrigue at Court is lost on Francis’ mother, Queen Catherine (Megan Follows). The strong-willed Queen is aware of Mary’s inflammatory effect on her son and his half-brother. She’s also aware of the dalliances of her husband, King Henry (Alan Van Sprang) — with his mistress as well as other ladies of the Court.
For guidance, Queen Catherine turns to her trusted advisor, the seer Nostradamus. He terrifies the Queen with his prophecy that marriage to Mary will cost Francis his life. As a result, Catherine is determined to save her son, no matter how many others have to pay with their lives.
As Mary learns for herself that fierce foes are conspiring to sabotage her marriage to Francis (and also threaten her life), she becomes aware of other dark forces. There’s a mysterious presence in the castle; a shrouded figure who may become her unlikely ally.
To cope with the brutality of the times, villagers trust in magic and superstition. In the dark woods surrounding the French Court lurk those who offer human sacrifice to a being who seems to require blood.
With danger and sexual intrigue around every dark castle corner, Mary rallies her ladies-in-waiting and steels herself, ready to rule the new land and balance the demands of her country and her heart.
Episode #78 — All It Cost Her…
Mary makes a decision that will change the course of history — forever shaping the fate of her nation, her crown, and her newborn son. Mary’s perilous move for her survival causes the stunning realization that perhaps she is not the only one who may not survive. Meanwhile, Elizabeth steadies herself for war and will become the instigator in Mary’s demise while later realizing she and Mary might be more similar than either thought.
First aired: June 16, 2017.
What do you think? Do you like the Reign TV series? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a fifth season?
Please have another season of reign, I’ve watched the CW channel for many years. Reign always came on after The Vampire Diaries and wasn’t the type of show I was used to. Now that I’ve grown older and started watching Reign on Netflix, I absolutely would love for a season 5 to return. (Better sooner than later) PLEASE
Sorry, they can’t have another season since this is based on a true story about Mary Queen of Scots…it would be sad to see what happen next.. She was beheaded for treason and her son accepted her Execution and he became King.. she died at a young age! I wouldn’t want to see that.. and she was in prison for awhile before she was killed!
LOVED this show! Was CRUSHED when it was canceled! Named our new kitten Adelaide after the actress that portrayed Mary. The actors they selected were perfect in their roles, the stories were good, the costumes were gorgeous, & the scenery & sets were beautiful! I watched it faithfully & always DVR’d it, too! (Just in case we had to miss it that night or wanted to watch an episode again for clarification or just because, before the next week’s episode!) I was telling everyone I know to start how much we enjoyed watching it! & that they should start watching… Read more »
I loved this series as well! But, it’s a true story .. That is why it was canceled.. You can go online and read the real life story back then about Queen Mary and you will be happy they ended it there .. She didn’t have a long life.. I wouldn’t want to see after that and how the ended the show … after you know her real life story I’m sure you will understand and be happy as well..
Historically retarded. The women are depicted as dimwitted whores who sleep around and fall in and out of love at the turn of a hat. The men are worse. I know tv series need drama, but good grief, the self generated trouble caused by unbelievable stupidity is unbearable.
I absolutely loved this series and will probably watch it all again. The cast was phenomenal. I fell upon Reign while searching for period pieces and wasn’t aware of it when it was airing. I watched it after the fact and binged watched all 4 seasons in less than 3 weeks (while simultaneously working 60+ hours per week and going to grad school full-time). I was instantly hooked and couldn’t get enough of the series. I was disappointed in Season 4 because I felt the story ended abruptly without chronicling Mary’s 3rd marriage or showing us what happened to her… Read more »
Agree with everything you said!
Entertaining, great costumes, great acting. That said, I’m Disappointed that the historical facts were changed so dramatically.
This is one of the top 5 series of all my viewing history. this is in number 1 place, second is Outlander. The acting of ALL the women is superb, the character development excellent, the sets and costumes out of this world…..do not stop….showing the intelligence and power of women and loyalty they have is a strong message to women all over the globe. KEEP IT GOING FOR AT LEAST 3 MORE SEASONS. This is a series for and about women who have made history, please please please keep it going and make more like this. We wouldn’t mind seeing… Read more »
Brenda
I so enjoy this show as I recently discovered it on Netflix, but have been disappoined to discover it had been cancelled. Why end it with Mary’s reign? It would be interesting to continue on with Mary’s son’s reign and future kings and queens. After all it is called Reign, not Mary Queen of Scots.
I have read a few articles on why Reign was canceled, and it was utterly disappointing. I loved Reign from the 1st episode to the last and was sad it ended. I know the history behind mary queen of scotts and knew the show would come to this point , but not so soon. The show was amazin and I hope all who worked on it and with it are proud of a great job they have done. I wish there would have been another season.
The series should have been renewed. Not historically accurate but still entertaining.
I just stumbled across Reign on Netflix this year. It is so well cast and written. I hope you reconsider and do not cancel.