Mazarin — Season 1, Episode 1: Episode 1
Drama, War & Politics, Family • 56 min • 1 season, 6 episodes • ★ 7.0/10
Episode synopsis
Richelieu, dying, entrusts Mazarin with the mission of continuing his political work. After the cardinal’s death, followed by that of Louis XIII, Mazarin helps Anne of Austria have the king’s will annulled, allowing her to become full regent. Mazarin then establishes himself as the true head of government and protector of the young Louis XIV. But from his very first days in power, he faces the hostility of the great nobles and the first mazarinades, foreshadowing the troubles to come.
About Mazarin
The series Mazarin (1978) recounts the rise of Jules Mazarin, first an Italian diplomat and later France’s chief minister after Richelieu. The story shows how he earns the trust of Anne of Austria and becomes the political mentor of the young Louis XIV. Over the course of the episodes, Mazarin faces court intrigues, the hostility of powerful nobles, and the turmoil of the Fronde, which threatens royal authority and forces him into several periods of exile. Despite pamphlets and conspiracies, he manages to restore order and prepare the emergence of the future Sun King. The series thus portrays a skilled statesman, often contested but essential in shaping absolute monarchy.