Queens Episode 9: Hatshepsut, The Defiant Woman Pharaoh of Egypt

Hatshepsut went from being a royal consort to leading Egypt as one of very few woman pharaohs—and she didn’t rise to the top by being meek or subservient. She worked to cement her power, dressing as a man, building A LOT of glamorous statues of herself, and of course, proving she could have just as many spicy affairs and royal scandals as any man in power.

But for a long time, we didn’t even know she existed. In fact, her nephew straight-up tried to erase her from history. Why? Listen up and we’ll tell you all you need to know about Hatshepsut, the gender-bending pharaoh of Egypt.

Queens Episode 8: Empress Elisabeth, Austria's Infamous Queen

If Empress Elisabeth was alive today, she’d probably make headlines for A) Being a dang Olympic athlete B) Seducing noted hotties of all genders and C) Dunking on anyone who got in her way.

But because Sisi (as she was called) had to deal with Victorian social mores, she didn’t exactly have the freedom to do that stuff. Instead, she settled on 1) Horseback riding so hard she nearly died 2) Marrying the Emperor of Austria and 3) Becoming a bit of a “Mommie Dearest” figure which REALLY messed up her kids.

Was she a saint? No. But Sisi was a complicated woman with a fascinating life, so prepare to meet your new problematic fave.

Queens Episode 7: Nzinga, The Warrior Queen of Matamba and Ndongo

The African warrior queen Nzinga called herself “King” and led her armies with a sword around her neck. She also shaded Portuguese colonizers and kept a harem of men. She was an absolute force—and it’s high time that people know her story.

Join us as we track Nzinga’s tumultuous reign, explain why she’s the OG Black Widow, and insult Nzinga’s tool of a brother at every chance we get.

Queens Episode 6: Joanna, The "Mad Queen of Castile"

Castile’s “Mad Queen” Joanna was whip-smart, exquisitely beautiful, and, as her nickname would suggest, hopelessly insane. Juana la Loca white-knuckled her way through a deranged childhood, then nabbed a hot hubby—only to realize that her new beau was the Worst Husband Ever (we wish we were exaggerating—this guy sucked BIG TIME).

So, when Joanna’s evil spouse kicked the bucket, you’d think everything got better for our girl. Instead, that’s when she earned her infamous nickname.

Queens Episode 5: Catherine the Great, Russia's Rebel Empress

When it comes to rebellious queens, it's hard to beat Catherine the Great. This woman chucked her own himbo husband off the Russian throne, entertained an unending parade of hunky lovers, and might just hold this season's record for most batshit court scandals.

In this episode, we get to know the one, the only Catherine the Great. Was she, as people said, "a warmonger with an unnatural sexual appetite"? Why did she hate her own kid so much? And, most importantly, did she really die of...well, if you know, you know?

Queens Episode 4: Mary Queen of Scots, History's Most Dramatic Monarch

Mary Queen of Scots is like if a period drama cross bred with a Fast and Furious movie. The action JUST. DOESN’T. STOP. This girl’s life was wall to wall drama, with special appearances from: Treacherous cousins! Toxic hunks! Suspiciously convenient deaths! Blue pee! And so much more.

Honestly, trying to summarize her gong show life in this episode description is impossible, so suffice it to say that Mary was a messy betch who loved drama—and paid the ultimate price...

Queens Episode 3: Christina, The Gender-Bending "Girl King" of Sweden

Troublemaker, heartbreaker, undertaker, rule-breaker: no matter how you slice it, Queen Christina was one of history's greatest rebels. She began her reign when she was just a kid—but then, after romancing hot ballerinas and going hard on those textbooks like a veritable Renaissance Hermione, she abruptly peaced out of palace life.

With freedom in hand, she went from grumpy nerd to bisexual party girl and eventually hit her apex as a gender-bending, freedom-defending, counter-culture icon. TL;DR: WE LOVE CHRISTINA.

Queens Episode 2: Anne Boleyn, The Doomed English Queen

Seductress. Schemer. Poisoner. These words—and far worse—have been used to describe Anne Boleyn. But did she deserve them? In the second episode of our season on queens, we dive into the dramatic life of Anne Boleyn, the woman who was so stupid-hot that the King of England invented a brand-new religion just to get some action.

PS: fair warning, we hate Henry so be prepared for us to drag him for 99% of this ep. Sorry not sorry!

Queens Episode 1: Wu Zetian, The Only Empress Of China

In the very first (!) episode of Yesterday's News, Dancy and Veronica discuss the complicated legacy of Wu Zetian. Spoiler alert: There's waaaaay more to this lady than a bad reputation.