Jump to content

Versailles (TV series)

From Alfawiki
Versailles
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedNovember 16, 2015; 10 years ago (2015-11-16)
Area served
France, Canada, United Kingdom, United States
Key people
Claude Chelli (producer)
ProductsTelevision drama series

Versailles is a period drama television series that explores the development of the Palace of Versailles during the era of King Louis XIV. This international collaboration involves France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The show debuted on 16 November 2015 via Canal+ in France, followed by its Canadian premiere on Super Channel in May 2016, then broadcasts on BBC Two in the United Kingdom and Ovation in the United States in October 2016.

Confidence in the series was demonstrated early with a second season commissioned prior to the initial release. Production for season two commenced in February 2016, set four years subsequent to the events of season one, premiering on 27 March 2017 in France and later on 21 April 2017 in the UK. On 14 September 2016, producer Claude Chelli confirmed the renewal for a third season, with filming starting in April 2017. It was later revealed on 17 April 2018 that this third season would conclude the series.

Plot introduction

In the aftermath of the Fronde rebellion of 1667, the French nobility increasingly challenged royal authority. The young monarch, Louis XIV (portrayed by George Blagden), transfers his court from the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye near Paris to his late father's hunting lodge close to Versailles, aiming to assert control over the defiant aristocracy. As Louis undertakes extensive renovations and expansions of the Palace of Versailles, displaced nobles are compelled to remain nearby, becoming enmeshed in growing political machinations.

Main

Recurring

Supporting characters

Production

Versailles was developed by British screenwriters Simon Mirren and David Wolstencroft, both with previous experience in Hollywood. It stands as the priciest French television production to date, with its initial season funded at €30 million (approximately $33 million).

The series was renewed for a second season prior to the debut of the first, with filming commencing in February 2016. This installment’s narrative takes place four years following the events of season one.

On 14 September 2016, producer Claude Chelli announced the series would continue into a third season, with shooting beginning in April 2017. Subsequently, on 11 May 2017, the official Instagram account of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte posted photos from the third season’s production. On 17 April 2018, Variety revealed that the third season would conclude the series.

Filming sites

Beyond the Palace of Versailles, multiple other palaces and châteaux were utilized to represent the incomplete Versailles, including:

Series summary

Season Number of episodes Original broadcast dates
Premiere date Final episode date
1 10 16 November 2015 (2015-11-16) 14 December 2015 (2015-12-14)
2 10 27 March 2017 (2017-03-27) 24 April 2017 (2017-04-24)
3 10 23 April 2018 (2018-04-23) 21 May 2018 (2018-05-21)

Season 2 (2017)

{{Episode table |background=#7D3C9A |overall= 3 |season= 3 |title= 30 |director= 10 |writer= 22 |airdate= 12 |episodes=





Season 3 (2018)

The entire third season was made available on demand on 23 April 2018.

{{Episode table |background=#AEAC48 |overall=3 |season=3 |title=30 |director=10 |writer=22 |airdate=12 |episodes=




Broadcasting

Versailles debuted on 16 November 2015 across several networks: on Canal+ in France, Super Channel in Canada, on BBC Two in the UK during May 2016, and on Ovation in the United States starting 1 October 2016. Season two was accessible early via The Movie Network in October 2016 ahead of its official 2017 release. The English-language Super Channel carried the show until May 2016 but removed it by December after TMN broadcasted season two early. However, Super Channel’s French feed maintained availability until 8 November 2020. Additionally, Citytv aired the first six episodes of season one between January and February.

The second season premiered on 27 March 2017 in France and later on 21 April 2017 in the UK. Following season one, Super Channel lost Canadian broadcasting rights; these were then acquired by The Movie Network, which also reran season one.

In April 2016, streaming rights were obtained by Netflix, which released the final third season on 2 April 2019.

Reception

The initial season of Versailles garnered a range of reviews, leaning towards favorable, with a Metacritic score of 55 out of 100 based on six critiques and an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, averaging 6.56 out of 10 from ten evaluations. Marjolaine Boutet from Le Monde remarked that the show's grand ambitions simultaneously served as its greatest strength and weakness, pointing out that the compelling role of Louis XIV's gardener Jacques (portrayed by Gilly Gilchrist) was underutilized in terms of screen presence.

In contrast, the third season experienced a downturn in critical reception, achieving only a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from nine reviews, with an average score of 5.2 out of 10.

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Versailles_(TV_series)&oldid=41393"