| “ | I will love you for the rest of my life. And I will never let you go again. | ” |
Mary Stuart, Queen Regnant of Scotland and Queen Consort of France, is the female lead and protagonist of Reign. She is the 16-year-old Queen of Scotland. She is the wife of Francis, to whom she had been engaged to since the age of six, and the mother of their unborn baby. She is also the best friend of her former ladies-in-waiting: Aylee, Greer, Kenna, and Lola. She was caught up in a love triangle between Sebastian and Francis, until she made a choice to wed Francis.
While living at the French Court, she has had many challenges coming toward her, such as Catherine plotting to kill her, Nostradamus' prophecy of Francis death, the duties as a Queen, trying to have a child with her husband, and the darkness that is filling her heart. Later on, Mary discovered Lola being pregnant with Francis' child, which caused a wedge in the friendship where Mary no longer trusts Lola and cannot forgive her. Mary also got word of Scotland being in danger, and for the first time ever, she got a taste of real power of being a Queen.
When the Black Plague occurred, Mary was left with the French Court's fate in her hands. She began to struggle between justice and how court actually works.
Mary is a member of the House of Stuart by birth and the House of Valois by marriage.
She is portrayed by the Australian actress, Adelaide Kane.
Early Life
Mary became the Queen of Scotland after her father died when she was only six days old. When she first arrived at French Court at the age of six engaged to Francis, she and Francis were playmates. She mentioned always chasing after him when they were young. Later, nine-year-old Mary was sent to live with the nuns at a convent for her safety. In the Pilot we see flashbacks of her and Francis playing with feathers and running up the stairs. Mary also mentioned learning to climb on a certain tree and that her and Francis used to wait to catch fireflies.
Throughout the Series
Personality
"She was really a remarkable woman. There is a little bit of literature out there about her personality. she was very witty, charming - a very intelligent woman. She spoke six languages, she played two different instruments, she rode, she hunted. she danced, she played golf."
Adelaide Kane about Queen Mary
Mary
Passionate and poised at the very beginning of her tumultuous rise to power, Mary is already a headstrong monarch. She will prove to be a formidable foe for anyone that stands in her way. She is also a great ally, as she wants to put people before herself.
In For King and Country, Francis describes Mary as being headstrong, and strong in general. In Higher Ground, Cortenza de' Medici described Mary as being so talkitive and free with words as a child.
I may live in France but I have the heart of a Scot.
Mary in Liege Lord
As the series progresses, Mary becomes more stronger to stand for what she believes in. By the end of the first season, Mary has grown into an independent woman who will go to any length to protect the ones she loves and her country. However she will go against her husband and his family if necessary as she will always choose Scotland over France since they only have her. By the end of the first season, Mary becomes stronger and more willing to do whatever it takes to protect Scotland. She tells Francis that she can feel herself become harder.
Physical Appearance
- "You’re beautiful and clever and unpredictable."
- —Francis to Mary
Mary Stuart
Mary is a beautiful teenage girl with long black hair and hazel eyes. Her face is oval-shaped with a light skin tone. She is also tall and slim.
Being a royal, when Mary is at court she is usually dressed in fancy attire and intriquet dresses. When she was at the convent, however, she was wearing clothes of a lower class. She wears dresses, as is appropriate for a woman in her time period.
"From the beginning I had this vision of her as two women: she's the warrior queen and she's the romantic. And I always feel like usually we embody both of those elements in her wardrobe, so if there's a harsh or strong detail, it will be accompanied by something light and feminine. Sometimes it's even just her hair which works into that. Something that pops to mind is this Alexander McQueen gown that we put her in in the second episode, that she wears when she meets Simon, the British lord…It's this insane, beaded almost kind of armored gown, and with her hair down and soft, it kind of softened it up and made it a little more romantic and mysterious rather than just harsh. So I feel like that's the balance usually with Mary." -Meredith Markworth-Pollack about Mary.
In Chosen, Mary awakens with a necklace. When she takes it outside to show to Sebastian she notices it has burnt her hand leaving a scar shaped like stag antlers on her inner hand. The scar or mark was not seen again after that episode meaning it had probably healed.
Relationships
- "You know what my heart says now? It says that I should forget about politics and be with you. No matter what. You’re a true Queen, a Queen that any King would kill for."
- —Francis to Mary in Hearts and Minds
Francis is Mary's husband. They are childhood friends whom have been engaged since Mary was six. Mary was then sent to the convent and hadn't seen Francis for years until they were reunited in Pilot. They start off to a rocky start after Mary's arrival due to Francis being with another woman just as Mary wants to spend time with him. When someone starts to plot against Mary, Francis suspects it is his mother's doing and decides to protect Mary by whatever means necessary. He also promises to be her friend and stand by her side. While spending time together and getting to know one another, Francis' ways begin to change as Mary has a better influence on him; however, obstacles begin to get in the way such as Olivia, Bash, and Catherine's plotting. Bash feelings for Mary cause them to drift apart and Francis to go to Olivia. When Francis finally admits his love for Mary leading them to make love and create a better relationship. When Mary learns of the prophecy, she leaves the French Court with Francis devastated. Mary is returned to French Court by the guards and tells Francis the truth of why she left. Mary comes up with a plan to protect Francis; by choosing to marry Bash which causes Francis to leave the French Court. They are later reunited when Francis returns to the French Court to save his mother. The prophecy is later changed after the death of Catherine's firstborn, Clarissa, allowing Mary and Francis to be together. The two lived in happiness for a short period of time and later they learned Mary was pregnant. However, soon after letting Francis know she was pregnant, Mary miscarried the child. Soon after, she and Francis began to disagree over political decisions, causing tension between the two. Not long after that Mary is raped and pulls away from Francis romantically and begins a short lived affair with Condé. In the end however, Mary chose Francis and the two have rekindled their romance. (See Mary and Francis.)
- "Such glory you promise, and so cunning you've become...how you've changed since you came back to us from convent. I miss the girl you were."
- —Catherine to Mary in Slaughter of Innocence
Mary's relationship with Catherine started off antagonistic at the beginning of the series though Mary stated that Catherine was kind to her as a child. Mary had always believed that ever since her arrival at the French Court, Catherine has been plotting against her, not knowing why. Mary has had to keep her guard up not knowing what Catherine will do next. She has had the protection of Francis and help from her Ladies-in-Waiting to go up against Catherine. Later on, Catherine reveals the truth to Mary about the prophecy which causes Mary to change the line of succession; Francis and his brothers' losing the throne and Catherine losing her status as Queen. Catherine starts a series of plans to have Bash killed but fails after many attempts and is accused of adultery. Mary is apologizes to Catherine about everything that has happened, wishing for another way to save Francis and promises to take care of Charles and Henry Jr.. When the prophecy had been changed, Mary chose to be with Francis and starts to bond with Catherine. Catherine has been giving Mary advice to getting pregnant. (See Mary and Catherine.)
Marie: Marie is Mary's mother. When Mary was still a child, she became engaged to Francis and Marie sent her to live with them in France. Since that time Mary and her mother hadn't seen each other or communicated much apart from a few letters. Until Marie shows up to French Court to get Mary to marry Francis. Marie isn't a very caring and warm mother and Mary knows she's being deceived as to the reason of her mothers arrival. They had a cold and strained relationship but when Marie was in danger in Scotland, Mary went to great lengths to get her mother to safety. When her mother returns to France, tension ensues between the two when Marie pressures Mary for not yet providing and heir. Mary let go of her rage when she found out her mother was dying from and illness, wanting her to stay in France with her. Ending up having to say goodbye to her however, when Marie returns to Scotland to help secure her daughters rule.
James: James is Mary's illegitimate older paternal half-brother. Although they don't see each other due to the fact that they live in different countries. The two seem to be close and care about each other. Even though protestants are trying to put her brother on the throne instead of her, there doesn't seem to be any worry. She feels safe with him and he doesn't show any jealousy at his sisters crown. He's currently also helping Marie secure Mary's reign in Scotland.
Ladies-In-Waiting: Mary has a different bond of friendship with each of her ladies. With Greer, a loyal bond of friendship. Mary can always depend of Greer whenever she needs something or if she is in a troubled situation. Mary is most closest to Aylee. Aylee is someone that Mary can trust the most; whenever she’s freaking out she can go to Aylee. Kenna is one of the harder friendships for Mary. Kenna is out for her own personal gain and Mary is trying to protect her from that. Mary does not have the easiest friendship with Lola. Mary and Lola have had difficulties in their friendship; such as, Lola blaming Mary for Colin's death and Lola sleeping with Francis. Their friendships and their duty are strengthened by being thrust into this foreign court and, at points, under duress. It is brutal and they don’t have their families and all they have is each other. (See Mary and Greer, Mary and Kenna, Mary and Lola, Mary and Aylee.)
Tomás: In the beginning when Tomás arrived at court Mary believed he had intentions for Greer. He however later proposed to Mary when they went riding telling her he was to be legitimized and could give her what France could not. Not long after, Mary decided to accept the proposal. Before they became engaged Tomás was very sweet and charming but later when things became more official, his true nature subsided and he became very controlling of Mary whom was still in love with Francis and after seeing Tomás' cruel nature, wanted out of the engagement. Tomás was after killed by Francis and Mary was out of the engagement. (See Mary and Tomas.)
Appearances
| Season One | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | Appearance Status | ||
| Pilot | Appears | ||
| Snakes in the Garden | Appears | ||
| Kissed | Appears | ||
| Hearts and Minds | Appears | ||
| A Chill in the Air | Appears | ||
| Chosen | Appears | ||
| Left Behind | Appears | ||
| Fated | Appears | ||
| For King and Country | Appears | ||
| Sacrifice | Appears | ||
| Inquisition | Appears | ||
| Royal Blood | Appears | ||
| The Consummation | Appears | ||
| Dirty Laundry | Appears | ||
| The Darkness | Appears | ||
| Monsters | Appears | ||
| Liege Lord | Appears | ||
| No Exit | Appears | ||
| Toy Soldiers | Appears | ||
| Higher Ground | Appears | ||
| Long Live the King | Appears | ||
| Slaughter of Innocence | Appears | ||
| Season Two | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | Appearance Status | ||
| The Plague | Appears | ||
| Drawn and Quartered | Appears | ||
| Coronation | Appears | ||
| The Lamb and the Slaughter | Appears | ||
| Blood for Blood | Appears | ||
| Three Queens | Appears | ||
| The Prince of the Blood | Appears | ||
| Terror of the Faithful | Appears | ||
| Acts of War | Appears | ||
| Mercy | Absent | ||
| Getaway | Absent | ||
| Banished | Absent | ||
| Sins of the Past | Absent | ||
| The End of Mourning | Absent | ||
| Forbidden | Absent | ||
| Tasting Revenge | Absent | ||
| Tempting Fate | Absent | ||
| Reversal of Fortune | Absent | ||
| Abandoned | Absent | ||
| Fugitive | Absent | ||
| The Siege | Absent | ||
| Burn | Absent | ||
Name
- Mary is a feminine given name which is the usual English form of Maria, which was the Latin form of the New Testament Greek names Μαριαμ (Mariam) and Μαρια (Maria) - the spellings are interchangeable - which were from the Hebrew name מִרְיָם (Miryam).. The meaning is not known for certain, but there are several theories including "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness", and "wished for child". However it was most likely originally an Egyptian name, perhaps derived in part from mry "beloved" or mr "love".
- Stuart is a surname of Scottish origin,and also an occupational name for an administrative official of an estate or steward, from Old English stig "house" and weard "guard". The Stewart family (sometimes spelled Stuart) held the Scottish crown for several centuries; one of the most famous members of the Stewart family was Mary, Queen of Scots.
Trivia
- Mary Stuart of Scotland was born December 8, 1542, became Queen of Scots at 6 days old, and died on February 8, 1587, at the age of 44.
- Mary was arranged to marry Francis when she was a small child, and moved to France later that year for protection.
- At the age of 10 she was supposed to marry Prince Edward of England, a union between England and Scotland. When Mary was 6 months old the treaty was signed.
- Mary had two brothers who died at infancy, two half-brothers from her mother's first marriage who died in childhood, and several illegitimate siblings on her father's side.
- She has a dog named Stirling.
- Probably named after the city and castle of Stirling where Mary was crowned queen.
- Historically, television version of Nostradamus is correct when he says that a marriage between Mary and Francis would cause Francis' death. Though Mary doesn't directly cause Francis' death, Francis would only "reign" for about a year (though he was subjected to having several regents).
- Her first kiss was Francis in Kissed.
- Mary was officially engaged to Tomás of Pamela for less than an episode (Hearts and Minds).
- Her life is a tragic story with losing Francis and then getting deposed in favor for her young son. Though she didn't get to reign in Scotland too long, she is the eleventh great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II (through her son James, granddaughter Elizabeth Stuart, and great-granddaughter Sophia of Hanover who is the ancestor that UK law states that current succession comes from).
- Adelaide Kane, the actress playing Mary, is a descendant of Mary, Queen of Scots and The House of Stuart through her mother's side.
- She's the cousin of Elizabeth I.
- A portrait of Claude of France, King Henry's mother, hangs in Mary's chamber.
- She knows how to milk a goat, she was taught by the nuns.
- She's right handed.
- In The Consummation, she signs her name Marie R because she was signing her title: Marie R. stands for Marie Regina, which is Latin for "Mary the Queen". Queen Mary I of England also signed her name this way.
Gallery
Mary Stuart has a photo gallery. |
See Also