On Monday, February 24, 2025, the anticipated second season of the Canal+ series 'Marie Antoinette' continues, showcasing the notorious diamond necklace affair—a scandalous event from 1786.
After over two years of waiting, Canal+ subscribers have already enjoyed the dramatic season opener geared around the infamous scandal, aptly titled 'L’affaire du collier,' meaning 'The Necklace Affair.' This new installment consists of eight episodes, shedding light on the unprecedented financial crisis faced by Queen Marie Antoinette and her husband, King Louis XVI.
The backstory of the scandal reveals the ambitious Jeanne de Valois, who succeeded in duping members of the Royal Court to lay her hands on the diamond necklace valued at millions. This controversy was not just another royal misfortune but rather one of the most significant scandals of the 18th century, directly impacting the monarchy’s reputation at the time.
The necklace, adorned with six hundred fifty diamonds, was initially commissioned by King Louis XV as a gift for his mistress, Madame du Barry, who sadly passed away before he could present it. Following Louis XV's death, the jewellers found themselves with the extravagant necklace still unsold and facing potential bankruptcy. Initially, Marie Antoinette had refused to purchase it.
Enter Jeanne de Valois, determined to insert herself within Versailles’s elite. Aware of the tension at court, Jeanne leveraged her charm, claiming to have the Queen's favor, enabling her to manipulate Cardinal Louis-René de Rohan, the former ambassador to Vienna and now grand almoner of France. By playing on Rohan's ambitions, she crafted letters purportedly from the Queen herself to orchestrate the heist.
Season two picks up years after the events of the first season, where the royal couple appears to reign supreme, yet is caught amid mounting pressure from both financial difficulties and public unrest stemming from severe winters impacting the populace. Noble figures like Provence and Chartres took advantage of this turmoil, stoking resentment and animosity against the monarchy.
For viewers drawn to tales of royal intrigue, this series scrambles the viewer’s perception of Marie Antoinette—from her extravagant lifestyle to her complex interplay with power and how these facets led her to be portrayed as 'Madame Déficit' during the nobles' disparagement.
Marie Antoinette and the diamond necklace affair serve as pivotal narratives bouncing between glorious acknowledgement and public disgrace. The tales executed by the actresses Emilia Schüle as Marie Antoinette and Freya Mavor as the cunning Jeanne de Valois are rife with tension and betrayal, setting the stage for drastic developments leading to the French Revolution.
Canal+ is positioning the series not just to narrate historical events but to offer vivid dramatizations of the emotional and psychological aspects of such monumental figures. “This unprecedented financial crisis had Marie-Antoinette and Louis facing dire circumstances,” stated critics from Le Figaro, emphasizing the gravity of their plight.
Upon its debut, the availability of episodes on Canal+ generated lively discussions among critics and enthusiasts alike. Yet, viewers should note Canal+ has decided to air only one episode per week after initially launching with two. The exclusive access to the first two episodes occurred on February 17, with the first part of the documentary series 'Marie-Antoinette confidentielle' offering insights about her tragic life from February 24, 2025.
Enthusiasts will have to wait until March 31 to witness the season finale, but until then, audiences are treated to engaging narratives combined with thrilling portrayals of life at the French court. Each episode promises twists and turns reflective of true historical upheaval.
From the glitz of Versailles to the stark realities of turmoil, 'Marie Antoinette' presents itself as more than mere entertainment—it encapsulates dramatic retellings of real figures reshaped by societal preferences and narratives. This genuine portrayal provides not just entertainment, but also engages historical discourse on the monarchy's vulnerability.
To date, the series has succeeded in rekindling interest around Marie Antoinette, compelling audiences to reflect on her legacy and the collision of aspirations and realities during the precarious time of her reign.
Catch the drama and spectacle of 'Marie Antoinette' now streaming, as it prompts viewers to reassess the well-known Queen with no shortage of dramatic encounters!