The corseted royals of Marie Antoinette are back, and the powdered wigs are about to hit the fan. PBS has announced the return of the lavish period drama for its second season, set to premiere Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 10pm ET. Prepare for another deep dive into the opulent yet increasingly precarious world of pre-revolutionary France.
Season 2 finds the French monarchy at a crossroads. While King Louis XVI (Louis Cunningham) and his queen, Marie Antoinette (Emilia Schüle), continue to inhabit their gilded cage at Versailles, the walls are closing in — both figuratively and, one suspects, eventually literally. The whispers of discontent have grown into a roar, and the royal couple faces threats from every direction.
Within the palace walls, the court remains a viper’s nest of intrigue and backstabbing. The king and queen must contend with scheming nobles and a populace on the brink of open revolt. Outside the palace gates, the seeds of revolution are being sown. Season 2 will trace the growing unrest in the streets of Paris, connecting the whispers in the palace corridors to the rumblings of an impending societal earthquake.
The series also takes a look at the monarchy’s precarious financial situation. With the kingdom’s coffers depleted, the royals’ extravagant lifestyle becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, further fueling public discontent. The lavish parties and opulent gowns begin to feel less like celebrations and more like fiddling while Rome burns.
For fans of historical dramas and period pieces, Marie Antoinette continues to deliver all the sumptuous detail and courtly drama one could wish for. Those who relished the spectacle of Bridgerton or the intimate portrayals of power in The Crown will likely find themselves at home amidst the grandeur and decay of Versailles. The series boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Freya Mavor, Jack Archer, and Jasmine Blackborow, all charting the treacherous waters of court life.
Tune in to the Season 2 premiere of Marie Antoinette on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 10pm ET on PBS, PBS.org, the PBS App, PBS Passport, and the PBS Masterpiece Prime Video Channel.
