Queen of Swords (television series)

infobox television
show_name = Queen of Swords


caption = The cast of "Queen of Swords".
rating =
format = Action/Adventure/Western
runtime = approx. 60 minutes
(per episode)
creator = Ira Bernstein
starring = "See Cast and characters below"
country = Spain/France/UK/Canada/USA
filmed = Almería, Andalucía, Spain
network = Syndication
first_aired = October 7, 2000
last_aired = May 26, 2001
num_episodes = 22
imdb_id = 0252781

"Queen of Swords" is an action-adventure television series set in California during the early 19th century that ran for one season, from 2000 to 2001. The show is about a young noblewoman who is Tessa Alvarado by day and a Zorro-style masked avenger by night known as the Queen of Swords. The Queen of Swords robs from the oppressive Military Alcalde and returns money to the oppressed peasants while righting wrongs, protecting the innocent, punishing the guilty and trying to find the murderer of her father. The series first aired on October 7, 2000 and, after a season of poor ratings, was cancelled, but has since gained a cult following since through re-runs.

Plot summary

A young Spanish aristocrat, Tessa Alvarado (Tessie Santiago), returns to California after the death of her father and finds the town she was born in run by a militaristic governor who abuses his power, resulting in the miscarriage of justice and the poor living conditions of his subjects. Upset about the state of her birth place and the murder of her father, Tessa's path is revealed to her in a mysterious dream. She will take up arms to protect the people from the town's governor and to avenge her father's death. Tessa will do this in disguise behind a mask, becoming the "Queen of Swords".

As the Queen of Swords, Tessa becomes a vision of hope for the people who live in her long oppressed town. She is helped by her long time friend and servant, Marta (Paulina Gálvez), a gypsy with great knowledge of the tarot. The Queen of Swords name comes from one of Marta's tarot cards.

Tessa's biggest enemy in the town is Colonel Luis Montoya (Valentine Pelka), the corrupt and tyrannical governor. Montoya is ruthless and has little care for human life other than his own. He believes in executions without fair trials, enslaving the poor people of the town and blackmailing his own allies. Montoya is aided by his right hand man, Captain Marcus Grisham (Anthony Lemke). Grisham, an American mercenary who escaped execution for a horrible crime, has the mission of ridding Montoya of the troublesome Queen of Swords, a mission that he and his soldiers have a hard time accomplishing. Grisham is helped by Vera (Elsa Pataky), the unfaithful trophy wife of Don Hidalgo (Tacho González), working as a spy for him.

The Queen of Swords is occasionally helped by Dr. Robert Helm (Peter Wingfield), an English doctor who believes in saving lives rather than taking them. He has little patience for Tessa, believing her to be a spoiled member of the nobility, and less for the Queen of Swords, despising her because of her use of violence. Helm, through his dislike, keeps finding himself strangely attracted to the Queen of Swords.

Cancellation

Zorro Productions, Inc. took legal action against Queen of Swords' producers, because they were infringing upon their Zorro character by producing a show 100% similar to Zorro - only with a woman in the lead role. It is widely speculated that this is the reason for the show's cancellation.

Zorro Productions are currently developing a Zorro series of their own.

Cast and characters

*Tessie Santiago as Maria Teresa (Tessa) Alvarado/The Queen of Swords
*Paulina Galvez as Marta
*Valentine Pelka as Colonel Luis Ramirez Montoya
*Anthony Lemke as Captain Marcus Grisham
*Peter Wingfield as Doctor Robert Helm
*Elsa Pataky as Senora Vera Hidalga
*Tacho Gonzalez as Don Gaspar Hidalgo

Trivia

*While credited as a full cast member, Peter Wingfield appears in only seven episodes.
*Peter Wingfield and Valentine Pelka both worked together in "" as recurring characters.
*While Tessa's alter-ego is called the Queen of Swords (or simply "the Queen") throughout the series, the official website alluded to another name for the heroine (unfortunately, the website is no longer up, so the alternative name remains a mystery). *Fortunately, by a miracle some of us saved the printed text parts from the original website to keep up with the Queen of Swords History. Tessa's other name that the Website alluded to was: As her Father dubbed her. "My Avenging Angel." So, mystery solved....

VHS release (limited edition)

*A limited edition VHS set with all 22 episodes was released at the end of 2001, after the show had been cancelled, a cult following had grown. A small survey had been done with fans of the show voting for a VHS release at the then official Queen of Swords website, when inquired by the show's producers, Fireworks Entertainment. The set was manufactured in Canada by Fireworks themselves, and was available only to order online for sale in the United States and Canada (NTSC region 1 format) through the official Queen of Swords website linked through Fireworks' official website at the time. It was an 8 volume VHS set (limited to under 1,000 sets made). The set cost $99.99 US/$149.99 Canada, plus shipping costs. A certificate of authenticity card sheet was also released with the set, inside the box of the first tape volume. The VHS set sold out instantly.