A German-language period drama on Netflix, The Empress (originally titled Die Kaiserin), has captivated audiences and drawn comparisons to hits like The Crown and Bridgerton. Viewers have praised the series as superior to both, with many calling it a must-watch for fans of historical dramas.
The show loosely follows the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, played by Devrim Lingnau, alongside Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph I. Created by Katharina Eyssen and co-directed by Katrin Gebbe and Florian Cossen, the series currently has two seasons, each with six hour-long episodes. A third and final season is expected in the second half of 2026.
Launched in September 2022, The Empress quickly became Netflix's second most-viewed series worldwide for two weeks. The second season debuted in November 2024. A companion novel by Gigi Griffis was also commissioned. The show was filmed in German and dubbed into 14 languages, with viewers praising the dubbing quality.
The plot follows Elisabeth, a Bavarian princess, who meets Emperor Franz Joseph and falls in love, but she must navigate the tensions and intrigues of the Viennese court. Critics have called it 'magnificently crafted' and praised its ability to transport viewers to another time and place. One reviewer noted, 'Fans of historical dramas will want to make time for The Empress.'
Audience reviews on IMDb have been overwhelmingly positive, with one calling it 'an absolute must watch' and another saying, 'A must watch for all period drama fans.' Many have compared it favourably to The Crown and Bridgerton, with one viewer stating, 'Forget Bridgerton. Netflix has finally found its true crown.'
