Is the show reign historically accurate 2024?

As a historian with a keen interest in the intersection of historical accuracy and popular media, I am often asked about the fidelity of TV shows and movies to the events they depict. The CW's "Reign" is no exception. It's a show that has captivated audiences with its portrayal of the life of Mary Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots. However, when it comes to historical accuracy, the series takes significant liberties with the facts.

First and foremost, it's important to acknowledge that "Reign" is a work of historical fiction, which means that it is designed to entertain and engage viewers rather than serve as a documentary. The show's creators have taken a few key historical figures and events and woven them into a narrative that is more akin to a soap opera than a strict recounting of history.

Characters and Relationships: One of the most notable deviations from historical accuracy in "Reign" is the portrayal of the relationships between the characters. While Mary Stuart is a real historical figure, many of the relationships she has with other characters in the show are fictional or heavily embellished. For example, her romantic relationships with Francis II and Bash are dramatized, and the character of Bash, or Sebastian, is entirely a creation of the show.

Timeline and Events: The timeline of events in "Reign" is also manipulated for dramatic effect. The series compresses and rearranges historical events to fit its narrative. For instance, the series depicts Mary's return to Scotland and her subsequent struggles for power, but the timing and sequence of these events are not always in line with historical records.

Cultural and Social Context: Another area where "Reign" takes liberties is in its depiction of the cultural and social context of the time. The show often modernizes the attitudes and behaviors of characters to make them more relatable to a contemporary audience. This can lead to a distortion of the historical context and a misrepresentation of the social norms and values of the 16th century.

Costume and Setting: Visually, "Reign" is quite stunning, with beautiful costumes and sets. However, the accuracy of these elements is also a point of contention. While the show does make an effort to reflect the opulence of the Renaissance period, some costumes and settings are anachronistic or overly stylized.

**The Most Important Thing That The CW's Reign Got Right: Its Women**: Despite its historical inaccuracies, there is one aspect of "Reign" that is worth noting: its portrayal of strong, complex female characters. The show does a commendable job of highlighting the agency and influence of women in a time when they were often overlooked or marginalized. Mary Stuart is depicted as a strong, intelligent, and capable leader, which is a refreshing take on a historical figure who is often reduced to her relationships or her tragic end.

In conclusion, while "Reign" is not a historically accurate representation of Mary Stuart's life, it does offer a compelling narrative that brings attention to an often-overlooked period of history and a set of historical figures. It's important for viewers to enjoy the show for what it is—a work of fiction that uses history as a backdrop—and to seek out more accurate historical accounts for a deeper understanding of the period.

The Most Important Thing That The CW's Reign Got Right: Its Women. On the surface, CW's historical drama Reign gets a lot of things wrong. Like, a whole lot. The series is based ever-so-loosely on the life of Mary Stuart, otherwise known as the Queen of Scots, and it isn't exactly what you'd call historically accurate.May 10, 2017