Netflix's period drama The Empress has returned for its third and final season, chronicling the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and her forbidden romance with Emperor Franz Joseph. The series became Netflix's second-most-watched globally following its debut in September 2022.
The show follows Elisabeth, a Bavarian duchess, as she enters the Austrian imperial court after falling for the emperor her older sister was expected to marry. Viewers have compared the series to The Crown and Romeo & Juliet, praising its lavish costumes and royal intrigue.
Story and Setting
Netflix teased the series' premise: "Set against opulent backdrops between Vienna, Hungary, Mexico, and Prussia, the series The Empress paints a complex portrait of the protagonists at court. At the centre is Elisabeth's impressive journey: she transforms from an unconventional girl into an emancipated woman who permanently influences the fate of Europe."
In the third season, the imperial marriage hangs by a thread as Franz returns from conflict with Napoleon bearing physical and emotional scars. His decisions threaten not just their union, but Elisabeth's survival. During her first significant voyage abroad, Elisabeth encounters someone who will alter her life and the destiny of Habsburg.
Viewer Reception
Viewers have shared their reactions on IMDb, with one commenting: "Wow! Breathtaking, heart-wrenching, and stunning. Incredible filmography, beautiful sets and costumes, and captivating storyline. I've never really enjoyed a dubbed TV show, but The Empress was so perfect in every other area, I barely noticed it was dubbed at all. The final scene is so well done it left me with only one word... WOW!"
Another admirer described it as "a masterpiece of emotion and visual beauty", adding: "I'm absolutely in love with this series. After waiting two whole years for the next six episodes, I couldn't help but binge them all in one go. And wow, it was worth the wait! The actors are phenomenal-so much emotion in their performances that they pulled me into every moment. I cried, laughed, and felt everything in between."
A third viewer remarked: "What an absolutely stunning series. Everything about The Empress was top-notch. From the sets, to the costuming and the acting. It was perfection. If you love a historical series then this is for you."
The Empress stands as Netflix's most successful German original production since the 2020 war drama Barbarians. The third season is now streaming on Netflix.
