François Guise

François de Guise is a French duke whose family rivals the crown itself, a battle-scarred nobleman with the swagger of a man who has never had to ask permission twice. He moves through the court as though he already owns it, all charm and menace, treating Catherine de' Medici's fragile authority as something to be tested.

Raza Jaffrey plays him with a predator's ease, letting the charisma do the threatening so the character never has to raise his voice. The writing makes him a genuine obstacle rather than a cartoon villain, a man whose confidence is earned by real power, and Jaffrey lets you see exactly how dangerous that confidence is.