When “Reign” first started, there were many complaints that the series changed multiple events in history. History buffs complained about major changes in “The Tudors” and the use of the wrong costumes in “The White Queen.” Various historical fiction novels are regularly attacked for their creative license.

Adelaide Kane has recently spoken out about the ending for Mary, Queen of Scots in “Reign.” The series finale date is officially set and fans want to know if the show will stay true to historical events. It turns out that this is one event that the show will likely stick to and major events need to remain constant.

However, there are many reasons to change minor events. Here are three reasons some changes to history need to happen in historical fiction.

It continues the suspense

It’s difficult watching a show when you know the outcome. There’s no suspense or intrigue about how a storyline will wrap. “The Tudors” fans didn’t want to become too invested in Anne Boleyn’s character, knowing that she would be executed in the end. In “Reign” fans held back on connecting with Francis at first, knowing that he would have to die at some point.

Without intrigue and suspense there isn’t a show. Changing some storylines makes it possible for fans to fall in love with characters and root for individuals, especially when those characters are entirely made up.

It fills the gaps

There’s no denying that not everything is known about the past. Historians have no idea about all the conversations that took place in private. There are just handwritten accounts of conversations, and some accounts have multiple versions of the same story. Historical fiction makes it possible to fill in the gaps.

The conversations help to move the plot forward. This has been used time and time again in “Reign,” with Mary being raped to help move the connection between her and Catherine, for example.

Changing history helps to build the fanbase

There are plenty of fans who wanted to see Francis live in “Reign.” That couldn’t happen, as the writers needed to stick to the main storyline of Mary, Queen of Scots’ life.

“The Tudors” wanted to see Anne Boleyn live and “The White Queen” wanted to see Richard III win at the Battle of Bosworth.

While the major storylines couldn’t change, smaller ones can. Instead of killing Francis within a season, he was allowed to live longer. Fans adored Mary and Francis so much that the writers worked with the fanbase and built it. That couldn’t have happened as well without minor changes.

Sometimes changes to history are good for a TV show. The benefit of historical fiction is the creative license available. However, there are times that history needs to be told properly, which would suggest that the “Reign” series finale will end with Mary’s execution.