Looks like Elizabeth II and Victoria won’t be the only queens with their own TV shows. Deadline reports that Freeform is close to giving the green light to “Cleopatra,” its first period drama. The series will follow the titular ruler as she fights for the power that is her birthright and navigates a love triangle with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.
Michael Seitzman (“Quantico”) is writing and exec producing alongside former CBS head Christina Davis via their Maniac Productions. The project has begun the hiring process for writers, a casting director, and a line producer.
“After being exiled as a young woman, Cleopatra decides to stand up against the patriarchy and fight back for her freedom and rightful place as heir,” Deadline summarizes. “This tale will follow her rise and transition to becoming not only the first, last, and only female pharaoh, but also the world’s most powerful person — all while engaging in a classic love triangle that changed the map of the world forever.”
“Cleopatra is a force of nature and a pioneer for female empowerment,” Davis stated. “It’s truly exciting to deliver such a young, sexy, rebellious character to the Freeform audience.”
One of the most iconic women in history, Cleopatra’s story was previously told in the 1963 epic “Cleopatra,” starring Elizabeth Taylor. Last year news broke that Amazon was developing a drama about the Egyptian queen but it’s unclear whether it’s still moving forward. (Amazon series and movies are all a bit in flux at the moment.) Producer Amy Pascal has also had a Cleopatra-centric film in the works since 2015. Angelina Jolie is reportedly attached.
