Marie Antoinette: The Who's Who of Season 2

Calling all “Marie Antoinette” fans! The wait is finally over — Season 2 is right around the corner. It’s time to step back into the glistening, glamorous world of Versailles.

As you get ready to watch Marie Antoinette in her latest royal undertakings, pause to meet the characters and the incredible cast that brings them to life. Here’s what you know about the who’s who of Season 2.

Who Is Marie Antoinette?

Historically, Marie Antoinette is known for opulence and luxury, making her a consistently controversial figure in the French monarchy. She’s often portrayed feasting while her people starved — and the debunked quote “let them eat cake” has become her legacy in many ways.

But in “Marie Antoinette” on PBS, we get to see another side of her history: the story of a child thrust into an unfamiliar, often hostile environment. In the show, she’s a bright, bold heroine whose cleverness is only rivaled by her impeccable fashion sense. 

In Season 1, we saw a teenaged Marie Antoinette taking her first steps into Versailles — and her role as a queen. As she struggled to adapt to a new culture, facing everything from complex political pressure to a less than affectionate husband, she grew as a woman, a ruler and a crucial thread in the tapestry of history. 

Now, in Season 2, she’s facing new challenges. Although she has plenty of well-wishers, she has even more enemies — and clever rivals just waiting to take advantage of the slightest misstep. 

As she continues to shape her role in the French monarchy, Marie Antoinette will navigate financial crises, royal scandals, a looming revolt and trouble with an incredibly expensive diamond necklace. But not to worry — she’ll do it all with the style and sophistication that have made her a fan favorite on PBS.

Whether you’re a history buff, love palace gossip or consider yourself a Marie Antoinette hair enthusiast, you have Emilia Schüle to thank. She’s the star who brings the character to life — and it’s just one of her shining achievements.

Emilia Schüle was born in Russia in 1992. She made her television debut in 2006 and landed her first lead role just two years later at age 15. Since then, her career has expanded to include roles in over 50 features and series — and that’s where the “Marie Antoinette” TV series comes in. 

We first saw Schüle sporting the characteristic Marie Antoinette wigs in late 2022/early 2023. With Season 2 set to premiere on PBS on March 23, 2025, there’s more fashion, romance and intrigue right around the corner.

Marie Antoinette Season 2: Friends and Foes

Louis XVI

When we first met him, Marie Antoinette’s fiancé Louis XVI was a teenager himself. He spent Season 1 held back by self-doubt, reluctant to step up to the throne and struggling to connect with our heroine. Fortunately, the two young rulers grow together in their relationship and their power.

In “Marie Antoinette” Season 2, Louis is confident and ready to rule — just in time for a new wave of unrest both inside and outside the palace walls. He’ll have to find his place as king and father, even as his young family’s future hangs in the balance and the French Revolution looms ever nearer.

Young British actor Louis Cunningham brings a thoughtful sensibility to the character on screen. He graduated from Oxford University and captured his first leading role — and our hearts — in “Marie Antoinette.”

Cardinal Rohan

When we first meet Cardinal de Rohan in Season 2, it’s clear that Marie Antoinette is far from his biggest fan, despite his powerful pedigree and importance in the Church. Still, he’s not discouraged by her disdain. To the contrary, he’s even more determined to win her affections — or at least her attention — one way or another. 

But will his persistence be his downfall when he runs into a scheming countess with her eyes on a diamond necklace?

Actor Maximilien Seweryn may be a newcomer to the “Marie Antoinette” cast, but he seems right at home in the grand halls and grander schemes in Versailles. He was born in Paris and trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London; he went on to build a career in theater, film and TV.

Jeanne

Jeanne de la Motte is as clever as she is charming — but although she has royal blood, she’s not a legitimate member of the monarchy. That means the lavish lifestyle she craves is out of reach. 

Or is it?

To snag some of the royal riches, she’s spinning a complicated web of lies that will eventually entangle her in the infamous Diamond Necklace Affair. But with unwitting pawns like Cardinal Rohan and even Marie Antoinette herself on the chess board, Jeanne is playing a delicate — and dangerous — game.

Not just anyone can portray “sneaky with a smile,” but actress Freya Mavor rises to the challenge. Long-listed for a Cesar award and nominated for 2 Scottish BAFTAs, she’s worked on projects across the UK, France and America.

Provence and Josephine

In Season 1, we saw Comte de Provence cause plenty of trouble for Marie Antoinette and his older brother Louis XVI. His wife Marie Josephine Louise of Savoy was in on the antics — and although they’re far from the happiest couple, they manage to discredit and discourage our heroine in more ways than one.

This season, we’ll see Provence and Josephine continue their scheming. But with other forces at play in Versailles, they may no longer be the threat they think they are….

Jack Archer, who plays Provence, has worked on various recurring roles across genres. He’s received “Best Actor” nominations at The Stage Debut Awards and The Off West End Awards for Quaint Honour.

Roxanne Duran, who plays Josephine, was born and raised in Paris. She got her first film role in 2009 and hasn’t slowed down since, appearing in film, TV shows and theater productions.

Chartres

Also known as Louis Philippe II, Chartres spent the first season of the “Marie Antoinette” PBS show building a relationship with our heroine. But she soon discovered that he was harboring unreturned romantic feelings and things went south fast — and when we left him in Season 1, he was banished from Versailles and building an alliance with prickly Provence to take down King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

In Season 2, we’ll see just how far Chartres will go to avenge his wounded pride. Although his limited access to the Queen makes it difficult to start trouble directly, he’s not above making some clever moves that will have his rivals struggling to keep up.

Actor Oscar Lesage was born in Mulhouse and attended classes at the Cours Florent. After studying at the Ecole du Nord in Lille, he was cast in his first big project, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival. He went on to spread his acting wings in various projects, including animated films, debut films, long-running TV shows and, of course, the “Marie Antoinette” series on PBS.

Lamballe and Yolande

Marie Thérèse Louise of Savoy, Princesse de Lamballe, was one of Marie Antoinette’s first friends in Season 1. Her devotion and insight made her a valuable companion for our heroine — but when a new ally took the spotlight, she was forced to find a balance between jealousy and loyalty.

That “new ally” was Yolande de Polastron, Countess de Polignac. Although her smooth-spoken charm and cleverness made her one of the Queen’s fastest favorites, it turned out that Yolande had more than a few secrets. To get money from her contacts and relatives elsewhere in the monarchy, she sold information about Marie Antoinette — and even demanded money from her. (Perhaps Lamballe’s suspicions were more than just jealousy!)

In Season 2, despite warnings from both her friend and her mother, Marie Antoinette stays close with the dubious Yolande. But as both the Queen and Countess face everything from money problems to family tragedies, their loyalties will be pulled in different directions and Marie Antoinette will once again be left wondering whom to trust. It might just be up to Lamballe to protect her friend.

Think Lamballe looks familiar? You’re probably right. Actress Jasmine Blackborrow has also had roles in Netflix projects, stage productions, independent films and even a BAFTA-nominated short. 

Liah O’Prey, who plays Yolande, was born in Spain and made her film debut at just 11 years old. Since then, she’s had roles in plenty of international productions, including multiple historical series in addition to “Marie Antoinette.”

Beaumarchais, Saint-Georges and Elizabeth Vigée Le Brun

There’s no question that the fashionable, elegant Marie Antoinette is a patron of the arts. Her hair, dresses and portraits in Season 1 showed us her determination to make palace life beautiful. She’ll do the same in Season 2 — with help from a few creative characters, of course.

First up is Pierre Beaumarchais, a playwright whose stories come to life on the stages of Versailles. Marie Antoinette looks forward to a starring role in his “Marriage of Figaro,” but what was supposed to be a fun project quickly becomes a royal scandal in more ways than one. Beaumarchais is played by Philippe Tlokinski, who was born in France and has acted in both TV shows and films.

Next up, you’ll meet Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. As a conductor and composer, he fills Versailles with music — but he’ll also play a role in the growing unrest between Marie Antoinette and her people. Actor Yoli Fuller captures the role, bringing a background in classic theater and international productions to his portrayal of Saint-Georges.

Finally, it’s time to put Elizabeth Vigée Le Brun in the spotlight. As Marie Antoinette’s official portraitist, she’s an important partner in shaping how people see the Queen — literally and figuratively. But the relationship isn’t purely professional; the two women also become friends, and Marie Antoinette even helps her earn admission to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Actress Leïla Muse, who brings the painter to life on screen, has also appeared in films and miniseries, including other historical projects.

Get Ready for Royal Adventure

If you’re all caught up on Season 1, learned everything about Season 2 and even did a little history homework, you’re more than ready to see our heroine’s newest escapades. Expect gorgeous sets and lavish costumes, intriguing twists and turns, a bit of betrayal and — of course — plenty of historical drama.

Watch “Marie Antoinette” Season 2 on PBS starting March 23!