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Marie Antoinette

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German actress Emilia Schüle stars as Antoinette in this historic drama created and written by The Favourite screenwriter Deborah Davis. The series depicts the queen, who left Austria at a young age to marry the Dauphin of France, as an incredibly modern and avant-garde figure for her time.

Sundays, beginning March 19, 9 pm on Nine PBS and livestream. Stream after broadcast on the PBS App.

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Marie AntoinettePreview
1:01
Published:
Rating: NR

The successes of independent and feminist Marie Antoinette provoke jealousy and rivalry.

Episode Guide

Episode One: “The Slap” - 3/19/23
Marie Antoinetee 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” - 3/26/23
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” - 4/2/23
The royal family goes on holiday at Fontainebleau to escape stifling Versailles. Marie Antointette 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” - 4/9/23
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.

Episode Five: “Rebel Queen” - 4/16/23
Louis may now be king, but Marie Antoinette is determined to launch her reign as the queen of France. First steps: organize a glittering Inauguration Ball and convince Louis to choose her pro-Austrian candidate as his new prime minister. But their marriage hits the rocks when Louis isn’t prepared to let his Austrian wife dabble in French politics. 

Episode Six: “Deus Ex Machina” - 4/23/23
Surprisingly, the person who comes to Versailles to save the royal marriage is Marie Antoinette’s brother, Joseph, who realizes he will have his work cut out if he’s going to unite this estranged couple. Time is running out to save the Franco-Austrian alliance. 

Episode Seven: “The Ostrich Bitch” - 4/30/23
Marie Antoinette is pregnant at last! But her reputation is attacked when pornographic pamphlets challenging the legitimacy of her unborn child appear at Versailles. Louis locks down the château and demands a full-blown investigation to nail the seditious traitors.

Episode Eight: “Queen of Hearts” - 5/7/23
Louis becomes increasingly confident in his position as king as he throws himself into supporting the American War of Independence. Meanwhile, Marie Antoinette embraces life at the Petit Trianon where she becomes enamored by a familiar face—Count Axel von Fersen.

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