When "Reign" Season 3 kicks off on Friday, the battle of the queens will begin in the appropriately titled first episode "Three Queens, Two Tigers."

Queen of Scotland Mary Stuart (Adelaide Kane) will feel the first effects of the scheming between Catherine de Medici (Megan Follows) and Queen Elizabeth (Rachel Skarsten).

Catherine thinks her partnership with Queen Elizabeth ensures victory against Mary, but she succumbs to distractions that threaten to unravel her plan for revenge. One distraction is Lord Stephane Narcisse (Craig Parker). Despite his relationship with Catherine, he pursues Lola (Anna Popplewell) in the new season. How will Catherine handle his infatuation with her?

Queen Elizabeth will have her own distraction as well: Robert Dudley (Charlie Carrick). He is a childhood friend and her first love, and though he's married, Elizabeth is tempted by an affair with him.

A handsome new character will debut on the season premiere as well. Martin de Lambert (Saamer Usmani), a fearless pirate, arrives at the French court. "Reign's" Facebook page reports that he "braves the high seas to ally with Mary." While his intention is to help Mary, he also plans to help himself to ladies of the court. The ladies are more than willing to be seduced by the ruggedly attractive pirate.

As Latin Post previously reported, King Francis's (Toby Regbo) health crisis looms. He and Mary believe his time is short, and the royal couple plans to "achieve some things and to maybe take some short cuts that they wouldn't otherwise take," according to showrunner Laurie McCarthy.

McCarthy said that the health crisis adds "incredible poignancy to their relationship." It could very well be the catalyst that gives the Queen of Scotland the courage to end Elizabeth and Catherine's tyranny.

The "Reign" Facebook page also teases that in Episode 1 Lord Narcisse has something planned for Francis and Mary, and Bash (Torrance Coombs) will battle his inner demons.

Watch the "Reign" Season 3 premiere "Three Queens, Two Tigers" on Friday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

Are you excited to meet the new characters debuting on "Reign" Season 3? What would you like to see happen between the characters on the premiere? How do you feel about the fact King Francis may die? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.