Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – Reign

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Reign Oct 2013 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
58% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Queen of Scotland Mary Stuart travels to France with four ladies-in-waiting to secure her politically strategic engagement to the king's son, Prince Francis. Mary and Francis share a mutual attraction, even though he has reservations about the wisdom of an alliance with Scotland. Complicating issues is Bash, Francis' illegitimate half-brother whom Mary finds herself drawn to in spite of herself. The French Court is also full of less romantic challenges for Mary, who finds her engagement -- and life -- threatened until she finds an ally in a mysterious shrouded guide. With all that she faces, Mary rallies, readying herself to rule and trying to find a balance between the demands of her country and those of her heart.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Reign — Season 1

Reign — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Though it sports rich visuals, Reign doesn't quite fulfill its potential as an entertainingly cheesy soap, nor does it have the chops to sufficiently serve the teen drama crowd.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Cady Lang TIME Magazine 05/20/2024
...the life of a young Mary, Queen of Scots makes for a soapy drama... Go to Full Review
Robert Rorke New York Post 02/28/2019
History fans will scoff at this rendition of a famous story and the target audience won't give a royal tweet about it. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Bernstein Daily Telegraph (UK) 02/28/2019
2/5
Reign would have been a perfect fit for the CW in the dim and distant past of two years ago when it's Greatest Hit was Gossip Girl, which trafficked in similar tales of intrigue and power games in a royal court. Go to Full Review
Dave Walker Times-Picayune 02/28/2019
It's probably not very valuable as a study tool for a French history class, but it might be kind of fun for a while. Go to Full Review
Christopher Lawrence Las Vegas Review-Journal 02/28/2019
Reign may not be great TV. But, aside from that tired love triangle, at least it offers something different in a dismal fall season. Go to Full Review
Deborah Krieger I on the Arts 01/19/2019
There's a perverse pleasure in enjoying a work of media that revels in how ridiculously bad it is. Reign, which airs on the CW and is in its first season, is such a guilty pleasure. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Peter D @RT05165463 04/14/2024 I really tried to watch it, but...... See more s f @RT77225267 04/23/2022 Reign is worth watching. Are their better shows that cut on the writing and immersion? For sure. But the performances and the efforts to make this a good show are there. It's necessary to forgive the teen themes (especially the music) which feel really out of place in a historical setting. But it carries a fun charm and I find its reminding me of younger times and optimism. Kind of reminds me of Merlin which is a show I also enjoyed. A balance of escapism and historical period ambiance carrying a pragmatic yet positive tone. See more 02/12/2022 This show aims to give the viewer a headache... It's a cheap teen drama wearing the guise of a historical drama. The writing had potential to be the only decent part. It has suspense and is intriguing enough as a concept- the all too infamous power struggle surrounding Mary queen of scots. However, the ENTIRE thing feels like the recap you see at the beginning of an episode. The writing should be good, but it's rushed and hurried along as if the director has no concept of timing or atmosphere. On the subject of atmosphere, there are historical inaccuracies every few minutes that drives anyone who knows anything about history insane. The costumes are beautiful but obscenely modern. It sticks out like a sore thumb and breaks any attempt to feel immersed in a historical setting. The scene and costume designers need to do more research and less showing off. Speaking of showing off, the score is by far the most obtuse and unflattering part. The score director has no idea what a score is clearly, thinking that every second needs to be overlaid with music that is either loud or dramatic. There is a such thing as timing and mood and the score director is an imbecile that wants to cram as much music into the series as possible with no regard for the ears and focus of the audience. There is a place and time for folk and pop. Better made historical Dramas like Bridgerton have found ways of introducing modern music subtly, masterfully. But this score cares nothing for the atmosphere. It may as well be a concert in the background, constantly trying to upstage the dialogue and feel. See more 09/03/2021 This began well. However, the attempt to update royal stuff to 2020 sensibilities is just unbelievable, and genuinely stupid. I didn't get thru Episode 1 See more 05/09/2021 Really enjoyed nothing See more 02/06/2021 Very nice piece of fiction (with a few historical references). Good writing and superb acting, nice artwork. See more Read all reviews
Reign — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 17, 2013 Pilot After spending her childhood at a monastery, teenage Mary Stuart arrives in France to formalize her arranged engagement to Prince Francis. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 24, 2013 Snakes in the Garden After Mary learns that the English are aware of her fragile engagement to Francis, the two put on a show to protect their alliance; Queen Catherine tries to silence those who know about her plot. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 31, 2013 Kissed Mary asks King Henry for help when Scotland's borders are threatened; Francis' clouded judgment puts Bash in jeopardy. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 7, 2013 Hearts and Minds Mary must decide if she is willing to lie and have a man sentenced to death in exchange for being released from her engagement to Prince Francis; Francis and Bash grow suspicious of Tomas' intentions. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 14, 2013 A Chill in the Air One of Francis' former lovers arrives at the castle -- and brings danger with her; Mary turns to Bash for comfort; Aylee is blackmailed into spying on Mary. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 21, 2013 Chosen An attempt at scaring Mary causes Queen Catherine to take drastic measures to catch the guilty party; Bash ends up with blood on his hands; Kenna makes a confession. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 5, 2013 Left Behind Francis and Mary must rely on each other when the castle is taken hostage; Catherine's proposal shocks everyone; Bash's mother reveals her plan. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 12, 2013 Fated A prophecy causes Mary to make a decision that changes her relationship with Francis; Clarissa is emboldened; Kenna reveals Diane's plan to Catherine. Details Episode 9 Aired Jan 23, 2014 For King and Country Bash and Mary are captured and returned to the castle; Catherine becomes even more determined to destroy Mary. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 30, 2014 Sacrifice Queen Catherine comes under suspicion when a plot to murder Bash goes awry; Mary tries to free a wrongly imprisoned pregnant peasant. Details Episode 11 Aired Feb 6, 2014 Inquisition When Queen Catherine is accused of adultery and treason, she tries to save herself by exposing Bash's past; the shocking truth about the castle ghost is revealed. Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 27, 2014 Royal Blood Mary and Bash try to help when the younger children of Queen Catherine and King Henry are kidnapped by Clarissa; Francis and Lola grow closer. Details Episode 13 Aired Mar 6, 2014 The Consummation Mary must consider her nation and her heart as a forced marriage looms; Mary's mother (Amy Brenneman) visits the castle, which worries King Henry and Queen Catherine. Details Episode 14 Aired Mar 13, 2014 Dirty Laundry Mary comes back from her honeymoon suspicious of Lola's unusual behavior; Bash encounters an escaped victim of the terrors of the woods; King Henry is forced to ask Queen Catherine for help. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 20, 2014 The Darkness As women in the castle mingle with possible suitors, Lola is reluctant to participate; Kenna fears for her safety after another violent incident with King Henry; Bash determines to uncover the truth about the darkness. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 27, 2014 Monsters Francis reluctantly helps Bash uncover the threat in the woods, resulting in a dangerous situation; the king becomes obsessed with a servant; Greer is caught in a kiss. Details Episode 17 Aired Apr 10, 2014 Liege Lord Mary discovers that her mother (Amy Brenneman) orchestrated a secret clause in her marriage contract. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 17, 2014 No Exit Mary's brother wants her to return to Scotland; Penelope is left in charge as King Henry's downward spiral continues; Lola is suspicious of Lord Julien's motives. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 24, 2014 Toy Soldiers When Mary's uncle delivers bad news about her mother, she and Francis must make a decision about their marriage; Bash and Kenna begin to trust each other. Details Episode 20 Aired May 1, 2014 Higher Ground Mary seeks a mercenary's help and comes to a realization; Francis finds a new ally; Lola becomes suspicious that Lord Julien will betray her. Details Episode 21 Aired May 8, 2014 Long Live the King Catherine and Mary form an uneasy alliance as they decide how to deal with King Henry, who is becoming increasingly manic; a boy tells Bash about his encounter with the darkness. Details Episode 22 Aired May 15, 2014 Slaughter of Innocence Francis and Mary take action as the king's madness reaches a fevered pitch, making choices that could change history; Lola endures life-threatening labor. Details
Ringer 49% 91% Ringer Watchlist Riverdale 81% 49% Riverdale Watchlist TRAILER for Riverdale The Carrie Diaries 84% 85% The Carrie Diaries Watchlist In the Dark % 49% In the Dark Watchlist TRAILER for In the Dark Kung Fu % 60% Kung Fu Watchlist TRAILER for Kung Fu Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Director
Mike Rohl, Fred Gerber, Holly Dale, Jeremiah S. Chechik, Steve DiMarco, Chris Grismer, Scott Peters
Executive Producer
Laurie McCarthy, Frank Siracusa
Screenwriter
Laurie McCarthy, Drew Lindo, Doris Egan, Wendy Riss, Alan McCullough, P.K. Simonds, Hannah Schneider, Edgar Lyall, Daniel Sinclair, Stephanie Sengupta, David Strauss
Network
The CW
Rating
TV-14 (L|V)
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 17, 2013