STARZ GREENLIGHTS "THE SERPENT QUEEN" PERIOD DRAMA ABOUT CATHERINE DE MEDICI, RENAISSANCE QUEEN OF FRANCE

Series Written and Executive Produced by 'Revolutionary Road' Writer Justin Haythe and Executive Produced by 'The Hunger Games' Franchise Director Francis Lawrence and 'The Matrix' Producer Erwin Stoff

Stacie Passon Set to Direct Premiere Episode

Santa Monica, Calif. - February 4, 2021 - Starz today announced it has greenlit "The Serpent Queen," the dark legend of Catherine de Medici from writer and executive producer Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road, Red Sparrow, The Lone Ranger). Based on the book CATHERINE de MEDICI: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda, the series will be executive produced by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2) and Erwin Stoff (The Matrix,13 Hours, Edge of Tomorrow). Stacie Passon ("Transparent," "Dickinson," "Billions") directs multiple episodes including the premiere episode. The eight-episode series is produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment.

"'The Serpent Queen' may be the most cunning account of one of the most influential women ever to wear a crown that Starz has told," said Christina Davis, President of Original Programming for Starz. "We are thrilled to be working with such an incredibly talented team who will give this series a modern voice among a sensational historical backdrop."

Considered an immigrant, common and plain, Catherine de Medici is married into the 16th century French court as an orphaned teenager expected to bring a fortune in dowry and produce many heirs, only to discover that her husband is in love with an older woman, her dowry is unpaid and she's unable to concieve. Yet, only with her intelligence and determination, she manages to keep her marriage alive and masters the bloodsport that is the monarchy better than anyone else, ruling France for 50 years.

Based on thousands of private letters, CATHERINE DE MEDICI: Renaissance Queen of France from author Leonie Frieda was a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic and was translated into eight languages.

"Writing Catherine and her story has been truly exciting as she is a very complex leading character who becomes a skilled ruler, battling extraordinary political and personal odds throughout her reign," said Haythe. "She is a Queen who defies convention, as she relies upon her intellect, her unusual entourage and a ready supply of black magic inspiring, centuries later, the Evil Queen of fairy tales."

From screenwriting to short stories and novels, Justin Haythe has penned remarkable works that have earned him praise and accolades in both cinema and literature. Movie-buffs know him best for his BAFTA Award nominated screenplay of the romantic drama Revolutionary Road, while the literary world is well familiar with Haythe's debut novel The Honeymoon, which was longlisted for the 2004 Man Booker Prize. Other significant screenwriting credits include the crime drama Snitch, the western action film The Lone Ranger, the spy thriller Red Sparrow and the biographical drama Bohemian Rhapsody.

Haythe is repped by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Stacie Passon is an American director, writer and producer who most recently executive produced and directed all episodes of the limited series "Little Birds" based on the short story by Anais Nin for ITV/SKY in the UK. Her debut film Concussion premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and subsequently won a Teddy Award Jury Prize as an outstanding film about LGBT themes at the Berlin International Film Festival. Passon also received a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Feature. Her sophomore feature We Have Always Lived In the Castle is an adaptation of Shirley Jackson's acclaimed novel.

Passon is repped by Circle of Confusion, UTA and Granderson Des Rochers, LLP.

Senior Vice President of Original Programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair is the executive overseeing "The Serpent Queen" on behalf of Starz. Courtney Mock is overseeing the series on behalf of Lionsgate.

About Starz

Starz (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), is the global media company taking the lead in streaming premium content that spotlights a spectrum of women both in front of and behind the camera for audiences worldwide. Starz is home to the flagship domestic STARZ(R) service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels and the associated on-demand and online services, as well as the proprietary and highly-rated STARZ app. In 2018 Starz launched its Starzplay international premium streaming platform and, coupled with its Starz Play Arabia venture, has since expanded its global footprint into fifty countries throughout Europe, Latin America, Canada, Japan and India. The essential complement to any subscription platform, STARZ and Starzplay are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. Starz offers subscribers more than 7,500 distinct premium television episodes and feature films, including STARZ Original series, first-run movies and other popular programming.

About Lionsgate

Combining the STARZ premium global subscription platform with world-class motion picture and television studio operations, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) brings a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. Its film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and the largest collection of film and television franchises in the independent media space. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for the audiences it serves worldwide.

About 3 Arts Entertainment

3 Arts Entertainment is a talent/literary management and production company, with 26 years of experience. We have offices in Beverly Hills and New York and have clients in the TV and Film Lit world, acting world, hosting world, branded areas, digital media and more. Our clients range from personalities like Jessica Alba and Chrissy Teigen to movie stars like Chris Evans, Rob Pattinson, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kevin Hart and Craig Robinson to TV stars like Mindy Kaling and Debra Messing, among many others. 3 Arts also represents some of the greatest writers and directors in the business, such as Greg Daniels, Mike Judge and Francis Lawrence. We currently executive produce over 30 shows on the air. Some of our shows include: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Master of None," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," "Insecure," and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."