Nero the Assassin (2025) s01e01 Episode Script

1
[serpentine rattling]
[wind howls]
[rattling continues]
[bird of prey screeches]
[grunting]
[groans]
[jaunty Western guitar music playing]
[man] On my grave, I would like it to say,
"If you want old age
and a cushy life, don't have kids."
[groaning]
[haggard breathing]
[bird screeches]
[man groans]
[groaning]
[growls, exhales]
Where is she?
[grunts]
[exhales]
[man] Things were so good
before I had a child.
Fuck it.
[medieval music playing]
I should never have left Lamartine.
Lamartine is the largest
trading city round here.
Which means it's the wealthiest,
and the most corrupt. And the most fun.
Do you like what you see?
Did you miss me?
I followed the classic career path.
Orphanage, to the street, then prison.
Until my boss got me out,
and employed me.
My boss is Nicolas de Rochemort,
the city's vice consul.
- He's like a father to me.
- Should I trust him?
In fact, I would die for him.
There are seven of us.
We all have our own areas of expertise
and mine is being the best.
One day, I'll sit at his table.
I'll see you shortly.
- And I'll be like one of his family.
- [medieval music continues]
Hortense, the boss's daughter.
The red eyes, the sad face,
that's all to be expected.
The poor girl has just lost
her betrothed, Tancrède.
A young general who died in battle,
killed by the penitents.
The penitents are fanatics
who terrorise the countryside.
They say we aren't
submissive enough to God.
Stay close to me.
- They're lunatics.
- [music fades]
Néro.
Allow me to introduce Néro.
He was with your son
at the time of the tragedy.
Néro, uh can you tell them what happened?
[Néro] Hmm.
[sniffling]
Your son was determined
to strike a peace agreement.
But the penitents had decided otherwise.
[all shouting]
[dramatic music playing]
I've never seen anyone fight like that.
[yelps]
[swords clashing]
We fought side by side like old friends.
[grunts]
But the enemy were far too strong.
And they outnumbered us.
We were soon overwhelmed.
[panting]
He simply saved my life.
[man groans]
There was nothing I could do.
[Tancrède panting]
[wheezes]
[Néro exhales]
[trembling] And he died He died a hero.
[sobbing]
Thank you.
But don't think I'm a traitor.
There's no one more loyal than me.
I don't decide who lives or dies.
My boss does.
[coins jangle]
[flies buzzing]
[medieval theme music builds]
My name is Néro,
and I'm the best assassin in Lamartine.
Or at least, I was.
[bells chime]
[hushed silence]
[door closes]
[medieval music playing]
That's it.
It's him.
I have him.
It's him.
It's him.
- I found him.
- [monk gasps]
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
He's the one.
The last descendant of the devil.
- It all fits.
- Show me.
The baptism took place in an orphanage
in the south of France 35 years ago.
- The Holy Father must be told.
- Of course.
Pray first though, as evil is here.
[monk 1 praying in Latin]
[bells chiming]
[eerie music playing]
[dog barks]
[door creaks]
[rasped breathing]
[monk 2] I found him.
Anyone else knows this name?
[eerie music continues]
[otherworldly whispering]
[jaunty Western music plays]
[music ends]
[Rochemort] The consul wants to see me.
That's not good.
- [footman] His Eminence, Consul Corsini.
- [footsteps approaching]
My deepest condolences.
Your daughter must be devastated.
A tragedy.
Don't fuck with me, Nicolas.
You had her fiancé killed so that
she could marry the Prince of Ségur.
I never gave my approval
for that marriage.
You forget your rank, Nicolas.
[spits]
Your rank is vice consul.
[chewing]
[spits]
The lands of Ségur are so rich in tin
and those stupid idiots do nothing.
The prince is young and feeble.
Once we're family,
the prince can be manoeuvred
to our ends.
[Corsini] "To our ends."
With you as the prince's father-in-law,
you will be rich.
Very rich.
And powerful.
So powerful.
In other words,
the new consul.
[Rochemort scoffs]
You're rotten to the core, Nicolas.
As for your daughter's wedding,
it's a "no".
[footsteps recede]
[otherworldly whispering]
[medieval music playing]
- [woman 1] Néro, are you coming?
- [woman 2] Néro!
[Néro] Always tempting,
but I don't have time.
[women giggling]
[beggar] Spare a coin?
[whistles]
Hey, Néro, alright, brother?
Take this. It's an incredible root.
You'll be high as a kite, my friend.
And one day, will you get a job
that will make your mother proud?
I'm not sure. Will you?
[Néro] Mmm.
[medieval music continues]
[laughs and cheers]
[man] Ah! Here she is.
Diamantina.
[woman] Hi, honey.
Nice boots, Néro.
Don't fret now. I remember.
I'll pay you back soon.
[woman laughs]
[man 1] Whoo!
[Néro] Mmm.
- [Néro whistles] Hey!
- [man 2] I'll show you a real man.
- Ah!
- Leave her. Come on.
Néro, yes, I'm coming.
Sorry, boys. Let's go.
[music fades ominously]
[knocking]
Yes?
[splutters]
Ugh!
[serpentine rattling]
[rasped breathing]
Who are you?
[otherworldly whispering]
[birds chirping]
[breathing heavily]
Why the long faces?
- The boss wants to introduce someone.
- Let's go.
What's happening?
[eerie music playing]
The consul snuffs it tonight.
Sorry, my lord, but that's suicide.
Everyone has tried and failed.
Even us.
Can't get into his palace.
He has a whole garrison.
Against us seven.
One is enough.
[Néro chuckles softly]
Toussaint.
[music intensifies]
[inhales sharply]
- [man 1] The consul is dead!
- [man 2] What?
[woman] The consul is dead?
[man 1] Consul Corsini is dead!
- [confused chatter]
- [man 3] What?
We've lost the consul!
Murdered in his bed!
[knocking]
[Néro] Toussaint!
- [laboured breathing]
- [flies buzz]
[knocking]
- [Néro] Toussaint.
- [coughs]
[Néro] We're late.
- I won't come. I'm exhausted.
- Ugh!
It needs air in here. It stinks of death.
[coughs] What do you want?
[bells tolling]
[distant chatter]
I just came to see how you are.
I'm not well.
You have a
Oh, fuck.
How did you murder Corsini?
The seven of us never managed it.
- How did you do it on your own?
- I really can't say.
Did the one-eyed woman know a way in?
Yeah. That's it.
- You're taking the piss?
- Yes, I am.
[crunching]
[pop]
[Toussaint breathes heavily]
Who is she, this woman?
She's a witch.
But
Yeah.
I thought it was a myth.
But she did some kind of ritual with me
and I found myself
in the consul's chamber.
[exhales]
You can go now.
[coughing]
[exhales]
[music fades]
[Portuguese choral chanting]
Hail, Lord Consul.
- Congratulations, my Lord Consul.
- Thank you.
You could smile.
This is a funeral.
You smile too much.
[Rochemort] Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you for your kindness.
Pleasure.
- Who is the one-eyed woman you hired?
- No one, Néro.
We'll pay her, she disappears.
Forget about her and have a good time.
Tonight, you dine at my table.
[dramatic music playing]
It'll just be family. Nothing formal.
I should be very pleased
if you would dine with us.
Yes, I'll be there. It's it's it's
It's a great honour, of course.
I'm lost for words.
Then say nothing. Don't be late.
[horse whinnies]
- [exhales]
- [carriage recedes]
[sighs contentedly]
[medieval music plays]
Hmm.
Uh
No, that's for fish. I can't believe this.
Have you been taught nothing?
No.
[tapping]
[splutters] My lady.
Leave us alone, please.
Are you nervous about dinner tonight?
- Give it to me. I'll show you.
- No, it's alright.
- Do I intimidate you?
- No, you don't intimate me at all.
I'm truly happy for you.
[chuckles softly]
You were an orphan
and now you're dining
with the most powerful man in Lamartine.
I can barely imagine
the things you've done to merit that.
But I'm not surprised.
We don't speak,
but I've been watching you for a while.
You're different to the others.
You have something special.
[tense music playing]
Néro?
Yes, my lady?
Did my father kill my fiancé?
Why would he want to do that?
So that I would marry the Prince of Ségur?
Don't pretend you don't know.
Why would he tell me though?
Ah.
But the dog who lies
at his master's feet hears it all.
You could have asked me directly
about your fiancé, you know.
- It would have been less demeaning.
- [scoffs]
[inhales sharply, sighs]
It can't hold a fork, but it has feelings.
Isn't life strange, huh?
I'm his dog but it's you he abandons?
At least once I'm married,
I won't have to see your ugly face.
[Néro chuckles softly]
[footsteps recede]
[knocking]
[Néro] Yes?
This is from Consul Rochemort, here.
[Néro] "So you never forget
how much you mean to me."
[jaunty medieval music playing]
[hushed chatter]
[chortles]
Just eat, why don't you?
You're not the problem. It's her.
Can you believe that's the face
of a future princess?
[guests fall silent]
I'm about to be sold and raped,
but he's a prince so I should be thankful?
You'll be the sovereign of a great city.
Ségur holds
a lot of power in Christianity.
[sarcastic] Oh, good.
I so love going to Mass.
That's enough now!
All you've ever known is privilege!
So now you will stop complaining
and, for once,
you will please uphold your rank
and you will do what I want!
[footsteps recede]
Get out, all of you.
Out!
Stay there.
[Néro clears throat]
- [guests whisper]
- [footsteps recede]
Good food?
[Néro] Mmm.
If you only knew
how lucky you are not to be a father.
You know, I would have loved
to have a son like you.
A son who has a sense of family.
You would do anything for me.
I'd give up my life for you.
I know.
That's why you're here.
I told you we would pay
the one-eyed woman.
You're the payment, I'm afraid.
[suspenseful music playing]
I'm what?
You mean
to screw her?
It's not that, no.
I have to kill someone?
So what then?
Sorry, but I don't agree.
I thought that would happen.
As did she.
So sorry, Néro.
[sinister music playing]
[otherworldly whispers]
[serpentine rattling]
[yelling]
[strained] Fuck
[choking]
[groans]
[exhales]
[fire crackles]
[suspenseful music continues]
[Néro struggling]
[yelps]
[one-eyed woman speaking Latin]
[Néro moans]
[groans]
[otherworldly whispering]
[blood dripping]
[groaning]
[whispering continues]
Let him loose.
[continues groaning]
You have children.
Where are your children?
What's the matter?
He has children.
You told me he didn't have a child!
Where are they?
Your children?
[feebly] I don't know.
I don't have any children.
You find them.
We agreed on Néro, you got that.
This is no longer my problem.
You'd prefer to have me as your problem?
Do any of you know anything?
His love life is no secret.
You just have to go to Diamantina's.
He stays alive until we find his child.
[Néro groans]
[suspenseful music continues]
[Néro screaming]
[music fades]
[inhales sharply]
[groaning]
[straining]
[panting]
[lock clinks]
[Néro] Toussaint? Why are you here?
[ominous music playing]
[Toussaint] I heard
what the bitch did to you.
[Néro] Go on. Try it.
[groans] Hang on. My necklace.
Try it.
[straining]
Do it, do it, do it. Yes, yes.
Yes!
[continues straining]
Forget it. It won't work.
[Toussaint coughing]
[struggling for breath]
[coughing]
[spits]
Thank you.
[laboured] Don't thank me.
[coughs]
Just knife the bitch.
It's too late for me.
[music intensifies]
[retches, coughs]
[rhythmic medieval music playing]
[grunting]
[breathes heavily]
[music fades]
[grunts]
[groans]
[sniffs laboriously]
[shuddering breathing]
[Diamantina] He had an affair
with one of my girls.
Callista.
She had a baby.
And where is this Callista?
She died giving birth to her.
- [Zineb] When?
- Fourteen years ago.
And the baby?
[shuddering breathing]
[sad music playing]
[woman whimpers]
The Sainte Mère Orphanage,
he left her there.
[woman groans]
[Zineb] Tell the one-eyed woman.
SAINTE MÈRE ORPHANAGE
[knocking]
Horace!
[continues knocking]
[Néro] Horace!
[Horace] Hmm.
You should know
that I'm an early riser, Néro.
Where is my daughter?
Why do you want to see her?
'Cause she's my daughter.
[Horace scoffs]
She doesn't need you.
Some people want to murder her.
- But you've come to save her?
- Mm-hmm.
Mmm. You save people now, do you?
Hmm.
[birds chirping]
[sighs]
Who is looking?
You won't believe me.
- A witch is.
- [scoffs]
Look at what she did to me.
[otherworldly whispering]
Néro, you know that witches are a myth.
And that? What's that?
Go on, try to remove it.
- Try it. Try to pull it off, will you?
- [Horace] Hmm.
She put this on me.
She can strangle me at will.
[tuts]
Try to tell me
what's happening, without lying.
I don't understand it.
She went after me. Now she's after her.
She spoke of the the last descendant of
I don't know.
Néro, seriously.
[gasps]
Tell me where I can find my daughter.
[suspenseful music playing]
What's she doing up here?
She's being punished. She's very unruly.
A chip off the old block.
We caught her skinning
a dead cat, you know.
There was a public execution
that she'd seen. She wanted to copy it.
- Why did you take her to see it?
- It's not our fault.
She runs off
to go and see it. She loves it.
Perhaps she hopes to see her father there.
[Néro laughs ironically]
[suspenseful music continues]
No, wa You bastard! Fuck it!
Horace! You're the lowest scum
in this city! Open the door!
Come on, Horace, open it!
I swear to you. I wanna help her.
- [Horace chuckles]
- [knocking]
Horace. Horace! Horace, it's her!
Please, don't answer.
You'll get killed, you fool!
Open the door, Horace! Horace! Fuck!
[panting]
[music fades]
[knocking continues]
[wind whistles]
Yes?
[woman] I'm looking for a child.
If it's about an adoption,
you'll have to come back later.
They're not up yet.
I've come for the daughter
of the prostitute, Callista.
She was entrusted to you 14 years ago.
And you are?
Her auntie.
Ah, well, I
I'll have to check in my register.
You just wait there.
I'll come with you.
[Horace] Hmm
You said it was 14 years ago?
Yeah
Um uh
[gasps]
It's this one.
[breathing heavily]
Yes, but she's not here now.
So where?
[Horace splutters]
[eerie music playing]
You know, with these children,
we keep them if we can.
She was very wild, actually.
Very, very violent.
I I've never known such a violent child.
And some of them
just go back to the streets.
Where is she now?
[sighs] Uh
[spluttering]
[Horace grunts, groans]
[metal clatters]
[exhales]
[eerie music continues]
[child fusses]
[whispers] Hey, hey, hey.
The cat-torturer girl,
where is she? Tell me!
[sinister music playing]
[gentle snoring]
[rasped breathing]
[tense music playing]
[gasps]
[Néro whispering] Hey.
Hey, there.
Come on, we're out of here.
Don't be scared. I'm here to help you.
They want to kill you, okay?
[claps hands] We have to leave. Hurry.
[groaning]
[suspenseful music playing]
[continues groaning]
[panting]
[music intensifies]
[birds flapping]
[strains]
[groaning]
[otherworldly whispering]
[music fades]
[bell tolling]
[children chattering]
Brother, what is happening?
Brother Horace.
[eerie music playing]
Brother Horace!
[footsteps approaching]
She's here.
Not happy at all.
[Rochemort sighs]
You let him escape.
And he has his daughter with him as well.
You have to close the city gates.
Issue a wanted notice.
And a very generous reward.
[Rochemort] He'll already be far away.
Then you have to dispatch
all your men after him.
You don't know Néro.
You can't catch a ghost.
[Zineb] My lord, he's here.
Look what the cat dragged in.
[man] He's unarmed.
I want to negotiate.
You just have to remove this necklace.
You give me 10,000 ducats, a boat,
and then you get the child back alive.
You want the child back alive,
isn't that right?
- [serpentine rattling]
- [Néro choking]
- Where is she?
- Kill me, you kill the girl.
[otherworldly whispering]
If I don't make it back, she'll die.
Tell me where.
[strained] Up your arse!
[groaning]
[choking]
[gasps]
[panting loudly]
[breathing heavily]
Now bring her to me.
Hang on. Hang on.
[grunts]
[exhales deeply]
[sighs]
First, remove this.
- It's not that simple.
- Hmm, yes, it is.
[grunting]
[body thuds]
[exhales]
Whoo!
You saw that?
You saw that.
[breathlessly] Turns out
not so bad with a fork, huh?
[exhales]
Oh, she was a pain in the arse!
[intriguing music playing]
Why do you all look like that?
You preferred her alive, is that it?
[chuckles] Not impressed, my lord?
[Rochemort chuckles softly]
- We're content
- Ah.
[exhales]
I didn't think you'd come back,
to be honest.
I wasn't gonna leave you with that loon.
I wouldn't leave her lying there
'cause she'll fuck up your floor.
Chop chop.
[intriguing music continues]
[man dragging body]
[footsteps receding]
What is it you want, Néro?
Just that it all
goes back to like before.
It was fine then. No, my lord?
Just forget about it?
Mm-hmm.
I'd like that very much, Néro,
but I played Judas.
Let's not deny it.
Well, you betrayed me, but you had to.
[Rochemort] True.
But we both know that,
however much you try,
you won't forget what I did, will you?
Let me try.
And if you can't do that?
Moi?
[Rochemort chuckles]
You see, that's the problem.
From now on, I would have to trust you,
after I betrayed you, wouldn't I?
I've looked at it from all angles, but
there's no going back.
Of course you betrayed me, my lord,
but that's our job, huh?
I betray you, you betray me,
we all betray each other.
You're the best at this game, my lord.
So why would I be upset?
I mean, it's an honour, really.
Kill him.
[action music playing]
- [glass shatters]
- [Néro screams]
[splashes]
[music stops]
[Rochemort] Find him.
He knows too much.
[man chuckles, sniffs]
[Néro groans]
[teeth chattering]
[man coughs]
[woman coughs]
[eerie music playing]
[Néro grunting]
[straining]
[groaning]
[panting]
[music fades]
[sighs]
[sighs deeply]
[ecclesial vocalisations]
[Néro] She went after me.
Now she's after her.
She spoke of the
the last descendant of I don't know.
[eerie music continues]
[Horace] "When the time comes,
the devil will possess
the body of his last descendant
to make him into the Messiah of Darkness,
who will bring about the advent
of the apocalypse."
[eerie music intensifies]
[music ends]
[priest] I'm listening.
[inhales sharply]
I am here about a child.
A child I care for.
[priest] What about her?
She has to die.
[tense music playing]
But why?
She is the last descendant of the devil.
I was the one who raised this child.
And I love her with all my heart.
I could never find
the strength to kill her.
Horace, if what you say is true,
you have no choice.
I'll accompany her to Ségur.
The archbishop will handle it all.
[sighs]
- The journey to Ségur is dangerous.
- I know who can accompany me.
[tense music continues]
And he has the abilities
to undertake this kind of journey.
- [crowd chattering]
- [sheep bleat]
[clamouring fades]
[footsteps approaching]
[blade rings]
- Stop it, Néro. Stop it.
- How did you find me?
You've been hiding here
since you were ten.
- Where's your daughter?
- Ah, I see you want to save her now?
Where is she?
She's safe somewhere.
[water pours]
We must go right away.
Don't worry.
I killed the witch. She's in no danger.
We must take her to Ségur,
to the archbishop.
For what reason?
To protect her. It's the only place
she won't be in danger.
You know how the journey is?
There's a famine over there.
The region is ablaze
because of the penitents.
It's no journey for a girl.
Or you, for that matter.
That's why you have to come with us, Néro.
- [sarcastic] Of course.
- You have to help her, Néro.
[Néro sighs]
You already abandoned her before.
Do you really want to abandon her again?
That girl means nothing to me.
The archbishop will pay you handsomely
once we get there.
I promise you.
[jaunty medieval music playing]
[daughter straining]
[footsteps approaching]
[music continues]
[Horace grunts]
Don't worry. We will take you to safety.
What the fuck is going on?
And who is the grandfather?
And where's my money?
I'm warning you, if you double-cross me
you'll choke on your own blood.
Horace, pay him. I have nothing.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, hey. Alright, stop.
[action music playing]
I'm on your side. Just calm down.
Stop. Don't do it!
Hey! He's your father!
[music stops]
Perla, listen. He's your father.
Give it to me.
Give it.
[melancholy music playing]
[clamouring in the background]
[music fades]
Why didn't you tell me
that I had a father?
I never spoke of him
so you wouldn't hope in vain.
Your father isn't a good man.
He's not a man of his word.
He is a godless,
lawless man with no scruples
[Néro clears throat]
No, go on, will you?
Go ahead.
Because you forgot to mention
I'm a liar, thief, uh uncouth,
a cheat, debauched.
Uh
An addict, a ne'er-do-well
Hmm Did I leave anything out?
Come on. We'll take the south gate.
- What's so special about the girl?
- The forces of evil are after her.
- Why?
- I don't know, Néro.
That's why I want to find the archbishop.
He'll have the answers.
- This isn't right. Let us through.
- [guard 1] It's sealed off. You can't.
[guard 2] Get back.
Take up your position.
- [guard 2] Get back. You can't pass.
- [crowd clamouring]
[guard 3] The city gates are shut
by order of the consul.
[clamouring intensifies]
[Néro] What's going on?
[guard 2] Get back! You can't pass!
[dramatic music playing]
- We'll split up. It's safer.
- What?
[Horace] Come here.
[inspirational music playing]
Come on. Come on now.
[Horace] Where are we going?
Néro, where are we going?
[Néro] You'll see.
[adventurous music playing]
There.
[Horace] That's your plan?
Rochemort's palace?
Trust me. We'll get out
of this city, no problem.
[whistle]
[coachman grunts]
[music continues]
[horses whinny]
Everyone knows that carriage.
No guard will dare stop it.
[coach door closes]
Ah!
There you are.
I was looking for you everywhere.
Your carriage awaits.
[horses nicker]
Driver, the soldiers are here.
Bring out the coach.
[softly] What's happening?
- They need the carriage.
- [Néro] Shit.
[adventurous music continues]
[Horace] Whoa! Whoa! Whoa.
[Rochemort] I have a few things
to sort out here.
Tell the prince I'll be in Ségur
the day after tomorrow with gold.
The mission upsets you, Captain?
This marriage serves your interests,
not those of the city.
[tense music playing]
If you'd prefer a promotion to the front,
I can arrange it for you now.
I'm proud of you.
I always knew you had
what it takes to be a woman of power.
[Hortense] Mmm.
[gasping]
- Ya!
- [horse neighs]
[guard 1] Push back! Push back!
Make way! Make way!
[guard 2] Let the consul's
carriage through!
[adventurous music playing]
Make way for the consul!
Make way.
Do you have a name?
[maggots squelching]
[water dripping]
[man 1 chuckles]
Hey, look there!
[man 2] What?
What do you have for us?
- [snickers]
- What are you doing?
Are you stupid or what? She's stiff.
So what? Me too!
You fucking disgust me.
You're an animal, you are.
[man 1] If you don't mind, I don't mind.
[sleazy laugh]
- [choking]
- [otherworldly whispering]
[grunting]
[thud]
Hey, hurry up, will you, yeah?
She has some really weird shit.
Are you done yet?
Yes.
- [man 2 screams]
- [knife slashes]
[jaunty medieval music playing]
[music turns sombre]
[inspirational music playing]
[music fades]
[medieval theme music returns]
[music builds rhythmically]
[otherworldly whispering]
[sinister music playing]
[music intensifies]
[otherworldly whispering]
[medieval theme music returns]
[sombre music playing]
[ecclesial vocalisations]
[medieval theme music returns]
[music continues]
[music fades]
[wistful music-box music playing]
[music builds]
[music ends]