Marie Antoinette: Season 1 Recap

Decadent dresses and dazzling wigs, palace drama and romantic intrigue, rumor and gossip – these are only some of the ingredients that made Season 1 of Marie Antoinette a stand-out hit.

The return of the propulsive, entertaining drama means it’s time to review some of the most memorable characters and their Season 1 storylines. Read about everything that went down in Season 1 and what may be in store for Marie Antoinette’s second season.

Vive la France!

Marie Antoinette Arrives in France

Season 1 of Marie Antoinette opens up with the vivacious, 14-year-old dauphine finding her bearings in the intimidating, grandiose halls of Versailles. Sent to solidify the Franco-Austrian alliance, Antoinette is eager to fulfill her role as France’s imminent young queen.

However, she soon discovers she has a lot to learn about French customs – and not many people within the palace are actually rooting for her success. Even her own fiancé Louis, who is so riddled with insecurity and timidity, refuses to make eye contact with her.

Fortunately, Antoinette strikes up a fast friendship with Lamballe, a uniquely loyal and kind member of the family. Yet even Antoinette’s closest confidante can’t save the young dauphine from Versailles’ scathing social politics.

Louis and Marie Antoinette eventually marry, and to her horror, his family insists on watching them go to bed on their wedding night. Unbeknownst to the couple, their responsibility to produce France’s next heir will involve a long road ahead. 

A Struggle to Acclimate

Desperate to have a stronger grasp of the French way of life, Marie Antoinette turns to King Louis XV’s mistress, Madame du Barry, for marital advice and guidance. 

However, Antoinette soon learns that du Barry maintains a well-known, promiscuous reputation. Antoinette feels slighted by du Barry’s deception and resents the Countess for taking advantage of her naïveté. 

In response, the young dauphine tries to position herself against the Countess, a choice which doesn’t go unnoticed by King Louis XV. Although he is not married to du Barry, the King expresses strong loyalty toward the Countess, and as such, insists the young Antoinette make amends with du Barry.

Provence Marries Josephine

While Louis XVI ever-so-slowly starts to open up to Antoinette, the issue of marriage turns to Provence (aka Louis XVI’s ruthless younger brother), who sets his prospects on marrying Josephine of Savoy. 

But not long after Josephine arrives in France, the palace crowds can see the marriage is far from a match made in heaven. Despite this, the new couple manage to find some common ground: 1) their shared contempt toward Louis and Antoinette, and 2) their commitment to their hatred.

Case in point? Josephine and Provence fake a pregnancy and a miscarriage for the sole purpose of eliciting emotional distress in Antoinette, who has long since struggled to conceive. 

Josephine even saves her most egregious scheme for later in the season when Antoinette finally becomes pregnant. Writing behind an alias name, Josephine produces a “libelle” – or a pamphlet – that sparks paternity rumors about Antoinette’s child. (Who doesn’t love a little toxic inter-family conflict?)

Louis XV Dies

After falling ill to a case of smallpox, King Louis XV passes away – thrusting Louis and Marie Antoinette into the roles of France’s king and queen. 

One of the couple’s first items on the agenda? Banishing Madame du Barry from Versailles.

However, the young Louis finds himself overwhelmed by the mounting list of responsibilities and is equally as perturbed by his wife’s outward ease with her role. While Antoinette seems poised to take on royal duties, Louis’ self-confidence wanes with each passing day. 

Will he and Antoinette find a way to lead together?

Some Marital Guidance from Joseph

Seven years have passed since Louis and Antoinette walked down the aisle together, yet there are still no children to show. It’s fair to say the marriage vibes aren’t exactly… spectacular. 

With the possibility of divorce looming on the horizon, Maria Theresa, Antoinette’s mother, sends her best reinforcement to Versailles: Joseph, Antoinette’s brother. After all, who wouldn’t want marriage advice from their brother?

Joseph arrives, and immediately everyone is taken with his effortless charisma. But Joseph also has a lot to say about Louis and Antoinette’s crumbling marriage. Despite his at-times unorthodox approach, his words seem to resonate with the royal couple. And, eureka! Not long after Joseph’s visit, Antoinette becomes pregnant with her first child.

The Queen gives birth to a daughter, and while this is exciting news for the couple, the line of succession still remains uncertain.

A Fight For Antoinette’s Attention

Meanwhile, a bitter division grows between two of Marie Antoinette’s closest friends: Yolande and Lamballe. 

While Lamballe has been by Antoinette’s side since her arrival in Versailles, Yolande has managed to acquire strong favorability from the Queen. Of course, Yolande has an agenda of her own – on the side, she exchanges secrets about Antoinette for cash. However, the Queen is too oblivious to take notice.

Ultimately, Lamballe is sidelined further and further, despite actually having Antoinette’s best interest in mind…

France Declares War

Amidst the breakout of the American Revolution, Louis sees an opportunity present itself. Eager to weaken Great Britain’s domination, Louis commits French military troops to the American cause.

His bid contains high risks, however, with France’s increasing intervention, Louis’ self-confidence grows. When America finally declares victory against Great Britain, France has a reason to celebrate – but the economic toll may soon catch up to Louis and the French people.

The Dashing Swede

While Louis is busy leading France at war, Antoinette grows closer to the handsome soldier and Swede, Count Axel Fersen. 

The two begin to spend more time together, both in group settings… and alone. When they end up sharing a passionate kiss one night, the romantic fling becomes a defining moment for Antoinette. She knows that if she wishes to continue her responsibilities as Queen, she has to leave Axel.

Louis also begins to suspect nothing good is up with Axel, and soon sends him away to fight in a battle. Antoinette is left heartbroken over her lost love – but hopeful she will one day see him again.

Chartres’ Betrayal

Speaking of men taking up the Queen’s attention, Antoinette increasingly finds herself at odds with individuals in her inner circle.

Chartres, whom Antoinette once considered a dear friend, reveals his romantic affections for the Queen in the Season 1 finale. Unfortunately, Antoinette does not reciprocate his feelings, and he does not take her rejection well.

To make matters even worse for Chartres, he’s accused of abandoning his military post during a battle – an act that brands him a traitor to France. 

As punishment, Chartres is banished from Versailles, but the bitter Frenchman is not one to take such mistreatment lightly. Not long after his exile, he begins to conspire with Provence over how to take Louis down.

France (Finally!) Has an Heir

After many, many years of waiting for an heir, Antoinette finally gives birth to a baby boy. The line of succession is at long last secured for Antoinette and Louis, for the future of France.

Yet, there are a lot of imminent changes lurking on the horizon for the country. How will the royals fair against such trials and tribulations heading their way?

Find out in Season 2 of Marie Antoinette, now streaming on PBS.