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 series premiered October 7, 2000. After filming had been completed on 22 episodes and the first eight episodes were broadcast, the series was canceled.
While attending school in Madrid (and receiving fencing lessons on the side), Tessa Alvarado learns of her father's death and leaves immediately for her hacienda in California. Upon arriving, she discovers her father had been murdered and the peons starving because of the policies of the local tyrant with the connivance of the wealthy landowners. In a dream, she is visited by the ghost of her father who encourages her to seek justice for the oppressed and avenge his death. Through her servant's tarot cards, Tessa discovers it is her fate to use her skill as a fencer to become the vigilante, "The Queen of Swords".
When the men begin to disappear, the Queen of Swords springs to action. She discovers that the peasants are being framed for crimes they did not commit and sentenced to work in Montoya's mines. Montoya and Grisham hope the Queen will right the wrong and unwittingly fall into a trap they've laid. Will it be death to the Queen?
When a deadly fever grips the town, Doctor Helm's medicine is the only cure. In an ambitious bid to assume power, Captain Grisham steals the antidote, which Montoya desperately needs, and frames the Queen of Swords for the crime. The dark beauty is forced to unmask the real culprit – or watch Marta, Montoya and many of the townspeople die.
An assassin disrupts the Harvest Festival, when his crossbow fells Don Aguilera, the father of Tessa's childhood friend, Ramon. The grief-stricken son swears vengeance, which Tessa more than understands – until she, as the Queen of Swords, discovers that the shooter's target was not Don Aguilera, but Dr. Robert Helm. It seems that the good doctor has his fair share of secrets, too. Intrigued, the Queen tries to protect Helm, and finds herself caught between Montoya and a range war.
A peasant girl lays dead by the hand of her well-moneyed lover, Anton, and the only witness is Tessa, who vows to testify against him. But Anton's mother, ranchero and former pirate Mary Rose (played by special guest star Bo Derek), is determined to save her son from the hangman's noose – even if it means murder. This time, the one who needs the Queen's protection is Tessa herself.
Montoya commissions Spain's finest swordsman to strike down the Queen of Swords. Unbeknownst to Antonio (played by special guest star Cristián de la Fuente), his target is also his long-lost love, Tessa. The two long to pick up where they left off years before, but both have been changed by the sands of time. Tessa puts the Queen's life in Antonio's hands – does he have the honor left to protect it?
During a spree of burglaries, Tessa's godfather, Don Federico, is killed, robbing the young woman of yet another loved one and providing the Queen of Swords with a very personal reason to stop the bandits. The personal vendetta becomes even more so, when her oldest friend, Ramon, and his lover, Isabelle (played by special guest star Daisy Fuentes), are exposed as two of the thieves.
The Queen of Swords risks life and limb to liberate two men captured by Montoya. The first, Raul, knows who murdered Tessa's father, and the second, Churi, knows the grief of such a loss. But breaking the two out of prison is just the beginning. Raul, a man motivated by greed alone, learns of Tessa's secret identity and uses it against her, putting Tessa and Marta in the line of Grisham's fire, while Churi's quest to free his father's spirit leads the Queen to looted treasure and a surprising accomplice.
An imposter (guest star Elizabeth Gracen) poses as the Queen of Swords to steal a payroll of gold so Tessa must clear her name and unmask the bandit. With Tessie Santiago, Paulina Galvez, Valentine Pelka and Elsa Pataky.
El Serpiente (guest star David Carradine), a famous bandit, decides on Santa Helena as his next target and manages to put a rift between the Queen of Swords (Tessie Santiago) and Doctor Helm (Peter Wingfield). Also starring Paulina Galvez, Valentine Pelka and Anthony Lemke.
While avoiding Montoya and Grisham, the Queen of Swords (Tessie Santiago) must race against time to recover a treasure hidden by her father. Also starring Paulina Galvez, Valentine Pelka, Anthony Lemke and Peter Wingfield.
An ambassador (Ed Stoppard) for the King of Spain arrives in town on a mission to return with the Queen of Swords' head. Also starring Paulina Galvez, Valentine Pelka, Anthony Lemke and Peter Wingfield.
The Queen has to rescue both Vera (Elsa Pataky) and her reputation when she is compromised by a former flame (Stephen Billington) who wants her husband's gold.
Tessa's uncle (guest star Grant Russell) arrives in town bent on avenging his brother's death and Montoya makes an innocent man scapegoat for the crime.
Tessa fears for Dr. Helm's safety when his former fiancée (Amber Batty) arrives in Saint Helena claiming to be on the run from an abusive husband (Simon MacCorkindale).
Krane (Anthony De Longis), the Captain's nemesis, decides to raid the town after Montoya heads for Monterey, leaving the Queen of Swords (Tessie Santiago) to save the day by enlisting some unlikely allies.
Marta's long-lost love, Leonardo (Oliver Haden) visits Saint Helena in search of his paramour and becomes enmeshed in Montoya's scheme to trap the Queen.
A horse rides into town carrying a wounded stranger, whose last words accuse the Rey family of lies and murder.
Two con men (Ralf Moeller, Darren Tighe) convince Montoya they can catch the Queen of Swords (Tessie Santiago) for the reward money.
The death of a Samurai master (Burt Kwouk) leaves his apprentice thirsting for revenge---an ideal scenerio for Montoya, who insists the Queen of Swords is responsible.
The Queen of Swords and Grisham (Tessie Santiago, Anthony Lemke) are trapped in an abandoned mine with only their vendettas to keep them alive.
The captain (Anthony Lemke) blames Vera's (Elsa Pataky) fall from a horse on the Queen of Swords (Tessie Santiago), and Montoya calls for martial law.
