Why this historical drama chose to trade accuracy for a sexier, modern aesthetic
In short: Reign, the CW series about Mary, Queen of Scots, famously abandoned historical rigor to capture a contemporary audience. By blending 16th-century politics with modern music, fashion, and soap-opera tropes, the showrunners created a self-aware fantasy that prioritized entertainment and youthful appeal over the dry, dusty reality of the past.
Created by Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta, Reign premiered in October 2013 on The CW. The show follows the life of Mary Stuart, beginning with her arrival at the French court in 1557. Rather than a faithful period piece, the series was designed as a high-stakes drama, with McCarthy explicitly choosing Mary as a subject because her complex life history and multiple marriages made her story inherently more compelling and provocative for modern viewers.
The production team leaned into anachronism to differentiate the show. Costume designer Meredith Markworth-Pollack curated looks that evolved with the characters, moving from light, youthful fabrics to darker, more mature designs as the narrative progressed. This aesthetic, paired with a soundtrack featuring indie folk bands like The Lumineers, helped the show resonate with younger audiences and fashion bloggers. Critics often compared the series to Gossip Girl, noting its focus on romantic intrigue, power plays, and the personal lives of Mary and her ladies-in-waiting.
While the show received mixed reviews for its historical liberties—with some critics calling it a camp classic and others dismissing it as a dumbed-down version of history—it succeeded in centering powerful, three-dimensional women in a male-dominated world. The narrative expanded in later seasons to include the rivalry between Mary and Queen Elizabeth I, maintaining its focus on the intersection of personal desire and political duty. Despite its controversial moments, such as the inclusion of explicit scenes that sparked debate regarding network standards, the series maintained a dedicated following until its conclusion in June 2017.
Ultimately, Reign functioned as an alternate-universe exploration of historical figures. By treating the 16th century as a backdrop for timeless teenage drama, the show carved out a unique niche. It was never intended to be a documentary, but rather a piece of fantasy history that allowed viewers to engage with the emotional lives of monarchs through a contemporary lens.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Reign (TV series)
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