Seen as an unremarkable immigrant, Catherine de Medici enters the 16th-century French court as a teenage orphan, anticipated to provide a substantial dowry and bear numerous heirs. However, she soon learns that her husband is enamored with an older woman, her dowry remains unpaid, and she struggles with infertility. Despite these challenges, Catherine’s sharp intellect and unwavering resolve enable her to sustain her marriage and excel in the ruthless arena of monarchy, ultimately governing France for half a century.