The series feels cold, lacking excitement, and burdened by a rigid script, though Megan Follows’ portrayal of Catherine de Medici provides some moments of interest amidst the shortcomings. Inspired, in a general sense, by the formative years of Mary, Queen of Scots (Adelaide Kane) within the court of King Henry II, where she was promised to the Dauphin (Toby Regbo) from infancy, the show takes considerable liberties with historical events. We observe her known difficulties as she moves through the intrigues of the French royal household; however, it does so without any real emotional depth or feeling. It wasn't necessary for the production to be a risqué spectacle, but there are simply too many attractive performers reciting unremarkable dialogue, encountering predictable plot developments and contrived mysteries. Even when romantic elements arise—though they remain chaste—the folk-inspired music and some appealing scenery offer minor distractions. Follows ensures her character is involved in numerous schemes, but Regbo and the handsome, yet ultimately superfluous, “Bash” (Torrance Coombs) appear to be present primarily for their looks, contributing little substance to this rather weak depiction of what must have been a dangerous and passionate period of love and peril for such an intriguing monarch.

Source on TMDB