While the third season of “Bridgerton” has become the most-watched show on Netflix, the platform has many other options similar to the period drama. One of them is “The Empress,” a German series that will return for a second season soon.
“The Empress” is a historical drama, often compared to “The Crown,” that offers a fictionalized account of the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and her relationship with Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Starring Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant, the first season ended on a cliffhanger. While it focused on the early years of “Sisi” and Franz’s romantic relationship, there is still much to explore about the Empress. Here’s everything we know about the next installment of the period drama.
The Empress Season 2: Plot
Netflix has released an official logline for the upcoming installment of the series. It reads: “The first crisis is barely over and the young couple wants to enjoy their fresh marital bliss when dark clouds gather over Schönbrunn Palace: Franz unexpectedly faces a powerful adversary in Europe. And Elisabeth comes under great pressure, because an heir to the throne is to secure the future of the empire as quickly as possible. When fate strikes with all its power, the couple’s love threatens to finally break apart. And Elisabeth must fight not only for her family, but also for the integrity of her soul.”
In real life, Elisabeth had four children, but her firstborn, Archduchess Sophie of Austria, died of a high fever while traveling with her mother to Hungary. This traumatic event led Elisabeth to concede to her mother-in-law, Princess Sophie, who believed she should raise the Emperor’s grandchildren.
It’s likely that the second season will delve into Elisabeth’s pregnancy and her early years as a mother, culminating in the tragic death of her first child. Additionally, the series will explore the political tensions and decisions made by Emperor Franz, leading Austria to war.
The Empress Cast: Who Will Return for Season 2?
While Netflix will probably introduce new cast members, we can expect the main actors to return, including Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach and Philip Froissant as Franz Joseph I of Austria. The rest of the cast includes:
- Melika Foroutan as Princess Sophie of Bavaria
- Johannes Nussbaum as Archduke Maximilian
- Elisa Schlott as Duchess Helene in Bavaria
- Jördis Triebel as Princess Ludovika of Bavaria
- Almila Bagriacik as Countess Leontine von Apafi
- Hanna Hilsdorf as Countess Amalia von Salm Reifferscheidt
- Runa Greiner as Countess Charlotte von Stubenberg
- Svenja Jung as Countess Louise Gundemann
- Andreas Döhler as Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria
- Wiebke Puls as Countess Sophie Esterházy
- Michael Fuith as Archduke Franz Karl of Austria
- Felix Nölle as Archduke Ludwig Viktor of Austria
- Martin Butzke as Gustav, Prince of Vasa
Is there a potential release date?
No, there’s no confirmation of a release date. We’ll update the article with more information.
