Susan Granger’s review of “The Empress” (Netflix)
“The Empress,” the German historical drama – dubbed into English on Netflix – has captivated audiences around the world, appearing in Netflix’s global Top 10 non-English TV list for five straight weeks and topping the Top 10 in 88 countries around the world.
The titular Austrian Empress Elizabeth von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau), often called ‘Sisi,’ was the outspoken, unconventional 16 year-old Bavarian duchess who caught the eye of her Hapsburg cousin, 22 year-old Franz Joseph I (Philip Froissant), originally slated to marry her demure older sister Helene (Elisa Schlott).
When feisty, freedom-loving Elizabeth arrived at the sumptuous Viennese Court, her behavior was immediately criticized by her controlling, authoritarian mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophia (Melika Foroutan), who insisted on observing strictly rigid protocol with its stifling subjugation.
In addition, Elizabeth was persistently bedeviled by her husband’s jealous younger brother, Archduke Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum), who was eager to seize the throne since the Hapsburg Empire was being threatened on its borders and the Austrian people were starving, ready to ignite a Revolution.
Duplicity is rampant, epitomized by Elizabeth’s favorite confidante/lady-in-waiting, known as scheming Leontine von Apafi (Almila Bagriacik),
Admittedly, many historical facts have been romanticized for this 19th century period drama, according to show-runner/ writer Katharina Eyssen, who is from Bavaria in southern Germany; for her, it’s primarily a coming-of-age love story.
FYI: Franz Joseph’s castle is Schloss Weissenstein located in Pommersfelden, a small town northwest of Nuremberg.
Highly recommended if you enjoy binge worthy shows about European royalty – like “The Crown,” “Victoria,” “Bridgerton” and/or “The Great.” As with all foreign language series on Netflix, you can watch it dubbed into English or in its original German with subtitles.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Empress” is an engaging 8 – with the six episodes of its first season streaming on Netflix and renewed for season two.
