The Empressis a German-language drama series that’s found huge success on Netflix, telling the story of a young girl named Elisabeth who falls in love with Emperor Franz of Austria and later becomes his bride, bringing her deep into the world of politics. The show is filled with mystery and intrigue, exploring the less public side of the royal family that Elisabeth wasn’t privy to before letting love bring her into this world.The Empressis inspired by real eventsthat happened in the Austrian court in the 1800s, and brings much of this intense realism to its story.
The Empresshas an excellent castthat manages to make all this high-stakes politics feel extremely grounded, allowing the audience to relate to their characters and understand all the complex relationships at play.Season 2 ofThe Empressintroduces even more interesting characters and subplots that elevate the show even further, giving Elisabeth’s story even more weight and developing this world laterally with even more real-world inspiration to the story.
Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach
Date of Birth: 17 November, 1998
Actor:Devrim Lingnau was born in Mannheim, Germany in 1998, where the majority of her early years were spent learning dance and performing arts. She attended the University of Music and Performing Arts in Mannheim, before her acting career took off with an appearance in the feature filmFile Number XY…Unsolved. The actress then landed an important role in the children’s channelKiKA, before breaking out internationally with the English filmCarmillaalongside Jessica Raine and Tobias Menzies.
The Empress Season 2: Everything You Need To Know
After a long wait between installments, Netflix’s historical drama The Empress returned in 2024 for its second season, here’s what you should know.
Allmen
Jasmin Sterner
Character: The character of Elisabeth von Wittelsbach is the protagonist ofThe Empress, a young noblewoman who falls in love with the Emperor of Austria.When the two are set to be married, Elisabeth’s life is turned upside downand she must learn how to navigate the subtle politics of the Austrian court while pleasing both her own family and her new relatives at the same time. She’s a tenacious and independent character, whose determination often causes problems for herself.
Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria
Date of Birth: 1994
Actor: Philip Froissant is a German actor best known for his roles in the German TV seriesOne Trillion Dollarsand the miniseriesBlack Island, both of which were moderately successful in Germany and allowed Froissant to make a name for himself before landing his major role inThe Empress.The actor also appeared in a TV series namedDie Macht der Kränkung, which translates asThe Power of Injury.
The Power Of Injury
Unnamed
Character:Froissant’s character inThe Empressis loosely based on the real-life figure of the same name, who ruled the Austrian Empire in the latter half of the 19th century. He was born in Vienna and revered as one of the country’s most generous and well-liked Emperors of his era, which is reflected in Froissant’s portrayal of him in the show. His romance with Elizabeth is a key feature of the story, and it’s this dynamic that drives much of the first two seasons forward.
IfThe Empressis renewed for season 3, it’s likely that their relationship will get even more interesting in the future. The couple remained married until Elisabeth’s death in real life, though it’s unclear whether the show will stick so closely to real events or take some creative liberties to give their dynamic some extra drama.
Melika Foroutan as Sophie, Archduchess of Austria
Date of Birth: 6 September, 1976
Actress: Melika Foroutan was born in Tehran in 1976, before moving to Germany at a young age and studying at the University of Arts in Berlin, before joining the acting academy in Leipzig. These studies helped Foroutan land her breakout role in 2006 with the dramaAnger,and in the same year,she adopted the popular role of Silvia Henke in the hit German seriesKDD.
Sleeping Dog
Corinna
Character: InThe Empress, Foroutan plays the character of Sophie, the Archduchess of Austria and mother of Emperor Franz. She’s one of the show’s most notable antagonists, asshe’s immediately unwelcoming of Elisabeth following her marriage into the family. The character strongly upholds her royal, imperial values and worries about the presence of another noble family within her own. These precautions trigger much of the political turmoil inThe Empressseasons 1 and 2that makes the show so exciting to watch, even if it’s at the expense of Elisabeth’s comfort in her new family.
Elisa Schlott as Duchess Helene
Date of Birth: 7 February, 1994
Actress:Elisa Schlott was born in Berlin in 1994, where she landed roles in several low-budget TV productions, before receiving the Foerder Award for German Film for her lead work inDraussen am See (Losing Balance). In 2015, Schlott gathered even more recognition for her work inStrange Daughter, another critically-acclaimed festival project.The Empressis her first international hit, and her only active project since 2021.
The Cricket And The Ant
Lena
Character:InThe Empress,Schlott plays the character of Duchess Helene, the sister to the show’s protagonist Elisabeth.She was originally betrothed to Emperor Franz before he fell in love with her younger sister, which caused much unrest among both families. She’s a much more traditional and reliable member of the family, whose adherence to the typical values of royalty made her a safer choice for Franz’s bride before love got in the way.
The Empress Supporting Cast & Characters
Johannes Nussbaum as Archduke Maximillian: Archduke Maxillian is the brother of Emperor Franz, and their rivalry is the source of much tension within the Viennese royal family. He’s the younger brother, but he strongly believes he is more suitable to rule and often tries to overshadow his sibling. He’s played by Johannes Nussbaum, a German actor for whomThe Empressis his breakout role.
Jordis Treibel as Ludovika, Duchess in Bavaria: Ludovika is the mother ofThe Empress’ main character Elisabeth, and she’s a major player in the show’s intricate politics. While she wants the best for her daughter, she’s also aware of the marriage’s impact on her own family and wants to manipulate it to their own best interests. She’s played by Jordis Treibel, a theater actress best known for playing thebeloved character of Katharina Neilsen in Netflix’sDark.
The Empress Parents' Guide: Is The Show Appropriate For Kids?
The Empress parents' guide is a useful source for guardians who are interested in learning if the Netflix series is suitable for young children.
Almila Bagriacik as Countess Leontine von Apafi: Although it’s only a supporting role, Countess Leontine is undoubtedly one ofThe Empress’ most interesting characters. She is a Viennese revolutionary posing as a countess, using her status within the nobility of Austria to promote her political ideologies. The figure is played by Almila Bagriacik, best known for her roles inWhen We Leaveand4 Blocks, both of which screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Svenja Jung as Countess Louise Gundemann: Countess Louise is another important figure inThe Empress, as her previous romance with Emperor Franz causes plenty of strife for Elisabeth within her new family. The presence of Franz’s old lover is a large contributor to the drama between the two main characters. The figure is played by Svenja Jung, a German actress most recognizable for her role in the film adaptation of Andreas Steinhofel’sThe Center of the World.
The Empress
Cast
Elisabeth “Sisi” of Bavaria’s life changes dramatically when she weds Emperor Franz Joseph and becomes Empress of Austria. Navigating the treacherous waters of the Viennese court, Sisi encounters both grand romance and fierce political maneuvering. As she adapts to her new position, she must assert her individuality and strength to protect her family and her empire.
