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Lead Characters In Regal Attire On Netflix(Photo Credit –Netflix)

Netflix’s recent announcement came with mixed emotions. On one hand, The Empress will return for a third season and on the other, it will also be the last. That piece of information seems to have flown under the radar for many fans, who only recently realized what “final season” really means. For them, it was a straight cancellation.

Fan Reaction: Frustration and Fatigue

The realization gained traction when someone dropped a screenshot from a Men’s Journal article in The Empress subreddit earlier this May. The article grouped the show among four Netflix titles being axed.

According to The Mirror, the poster of the thread wrote, “Guess it’s official. Netflix has cancelled The Empress after this upcoming season. I felt disappointed with season 2, I wanted more in the amount of episodes we got. Hopefully this last season will make up for it!

German director Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s Hysteria has been awarded the Europa Cinemas Label for Best European Film in the Panorama section at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.

The behind-the-scene conspiracy thriller follows the drama on a German film shoot, a production about real-life arson attacks on a Turkish family by German skinheads, that kicks off when a copy of the Quran is burnt on set. That kicks off a cleverly plotted whodunit that also examines the issue of who benefits from fictionalizing real-world violence. “Imagine Knives Out meets François Truffaut’s Day for Night, but set in a present-day Germany rife with tensions about immigration and Islam,” The Hollywood Reporter critic Jordan Mintzer said in a rave review.

The Europa Cinemas jury—comprising Klaudia Elsässer (Art+ Cinema, Hungary), David Kelly (Light House Cinema, Ireland), Constanze Oedl (Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus, Austria), and Cenk Sezgin (Cinemarine Cinemas, Turkey)—praised Büyükatalay...

Hysteria, directed by German filmmaker Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay, has been named Best European Film in the Panorama section at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film received the Europa Cinemas Label, granting it additional promotional support and incentives for theaters to feature it in their programming.

The jury described Hysteria as a tightly constructed conspiracy thriller with unexpected developments leading to a tense final sequence. They noted its ability to spark discussion on pressing social issues while keeping audiences engaged.

The jury panel consisted of Klaudia Elsässer, David Kelly, Constanze Oedl, and Cenk Sezgin.

Thriller with Political Undertones

Written and directed by Büyükatalay, Hysteria follows a story that explores paranoia and manipulation in contemporary society. The film is a production of Filmfaust, with Pluto Films handling international sales.

The cast features Devrim Lingnau, Mehdi Meskar, Serkan Kaya, Nicolette Krebitz, and Aziz Çapkurt. The film’s cinematography is by Christian Kochmann,...

One of our great points of pride here at HeyUGuys is to be a media partner with European Film Promotion (Efp) every year the Berlinale, at the wonderful Shooting Stars event, that rewards ten actors from the continent to celebrate their talents, and the best European cinema has to offer. What comes with that territory is the opportunity to sit down with all ten actors, to discuss their careers, their ambitions, and vitally, what it means to them to be a Shooting Star. Below you will find all ten of our interviews, so boil the kettle, sit back – and enjoy.

Frida Gustavsson

Devrim Lingnau

Lidija Kordic

Besir Zeciri

Karlis Arnolds Avots

Elin Hall

Sarunas Zenkevicius

Maarja Johanna Magi

Vicente Wallenstein

Marina Makris

The post European Shooting Stars 2025 – The HeyUGuys Interviews appeared first on HeyUGuys.

In “Hysteria” (2025), director Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay uses the real-life racist burning down of an immigrant flat in Solingen to unleash a gamut of inquiries into divides between the white prototype and the Other. What are the anxieties, and the unease running in between? The director funnels them through a film being mounted on the incident, and the incident is re-staged in a scene.

“Hysteria” opens with the arson scene. A slick shift of perspective, from the footage to behind-the-scenes devising, sets things rolling. Elif (Devrim Lingnau), a fresh university graduate roped in as a second Ad on the film, drives the viewer’s entry into the drama. What triggers the central plot is the paranoia stemming from a copy of the Quran getting burnt in the arson re-enactment. Said (Mehdi Maskar), an extra on the set, gets irate when he spots the torched copy in the footage. He...

French actor Ludivine Sagnier, best known for “Swimming Pool” and “8 Women,” welcomed the European Shooting Stars – 10 up-and-coming European actors – on stage at the Berlinale Palast Monday.

Sagnier was one of the jury members that selected the Shooting Stars, alongside Romanian director Radu Muntean, Swiss producer Amel Soudani, Swedish casting director Pauline Hansson and journalist Vuk Perović from Montenegro.

The Shooting Stars award ceremony, held during the Berlin Film Festival, is the festive highlight and closing event of an intensive four-day program where the actors meet international casting directors and are presented to the international press. German actor Thelma Buabeng introduced the actors to the Berlinale Palast audience.

The Shooting Stars had earlier been greeted on the red carpet by Berlin festival director Tricia Tuttle and Claudia Roth, Germany’s federal government commissioner for culture and the media, in what is likely to be her final official engagement in that...

A director and his assistant stare through a monitor at the pitch dark charred facade of a house, erected inside a sound stage. The house is a replica of the one in Solingen, Germany where a notorious act of arson in 1993 committed by a group of young far-right extremists left five Turkish migrant women and girls of the Genç family dead.

One of the more eerie early images in Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s (“Oray”) provocative and suspenseful sophomore feature “Hysteria,” is only superficially a reveal of the overrated genre that is the film within the film. Part of what makes the image eerie — other than the haunting opacity of its black and charcoal palette, reminiscent of a falsely abandoned Moria — is the gut unease it evokes about the motivations behind the cinematic re-enactment. For starters, who is telling whose story, and why? The meta implications “Hysteria” will need to address...

The ten outstanding actresses and actors from all over Europe have arrived in Germany’s capital city today eagerly waiting to immerse themselves in a tailor-made programme of profile-rising events during this year’s Berlinale.

The ten selected European Shooting Stars for 2025 are: Marina Makris (Cyprus), Besir Zeciri (Denmark), Maarja Johanna Mägi (Estonia), Devrim Lingnau (Germany), Elín Hall (Iceland), Kārlis Arnolds Avots (Latvia), Šarūnas Zenkevičius (Lithuania), Lidija Kordić (Montenegro), Vicente Wallenstein (Portugal) and Frida Gustavsson (Sweden).

Find out more about 2025’s 10 participants

The four-day intensive programme provides a powerful platform for the selected talent giving them the chance to meet international journalists, casting directors, producers and filmmakers, unique opportunities to build a professional network, and equipping the young talents with the necessary means to embark on an international career.

The programme concludes on Monday, 17 February with the European Shooting Stars Awards ceremony at the Berlinale Palast where each actress and...

The Empress is coming to an end.

Netflix’s show telling the dramatic story of Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz has been renewed for a third season, which will be its last.

One of the biggest Netflix Europe shows of the past few years, The Empress started with Elisabeth meeting Franz and has worked its way through their courtship and the empire. In Season 2, they were trying to enjoy their fresh marital bliss when dark clouds gathered over Schönbrunn Palace. Elisabeth had to fight not only for her family but also for the integrity of her soul.

The final season will likely air in 2026. The Empress has been one of Netflix’s biggest non-English language shows down the years. The International Emmy-winning Season 1 stayed in the global Netflix Top 10 of non-English shows for five straight weeks in 2022. Last year, Season 2 made its way into the Netflix Top 10 in 84 countries, according to the streamer.

Timothée Chalamet and Robert Pattinson were among the latest high-profile names confirmed this afternoon as attendees for this year’s Berlin Film Festival.

The pair were included this afternoon in an updated guest list shared by the festival.

Chalamet will attend for the German premiere of his Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown while Pattinson will debut his Bong Joon-ho flick Micky 17. Both films play in the Berlinale Specials sidebar.

Other confirmed guests include Conclave filmmaker Edward Berger who will present Tilda Swinton her Honorary Golden Bear. Jessica Chastain will hit the German capital with Michel Franco’s Golden Bear Contender Dreams, and Jacob Elordi will make the trip to Berlin for the world premiere of his Justin Kurzel series The Narrow Road to the Deep South.

Other celebrity guests confirmed today by the festival include Naomi Ackie, Rose Byrne, Toni Collette, Denis Côté, Marion Cotillard, Lars Eidinger, Mala Emde,...

Two months after debuting all six episodes of The Empress Season 2, Netflix has announced that the hit German series will return for a third and final season. No premiere date has been set yet, but alongside the renewal announcement, the streaming giant shared a teaser clip of the installment via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The historical drama series is based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and sees Devrim Lingnau in the title role. It debuted on Netflix on September 29, 2022, and two years later, Season 2 premiered on November 22, 2024.

Jeremy Allen White is stepping out of the kitchen for the Netflix limited series Enigma Variations.

The Emmy Award-winning Bear actor is attached to star in and executive-produce the adaptation of André Aciman’s novel, our sister site Variety reports. The project, which is currently only in the development stage, will be written and showrun by Amanda Kate Shuman (The Wheel of Time, Berlin Station).

More from TVLineCBS Evening News Unveils Its New Two-Anchor Format - How'd They Do in Their Debut?Law & Order: Organized Crime Adds Jason Patric to Season 5 CastEllen Pompeo's Adoption Mystery Good American Family Gets Release...

Fellow fans of The Empress on Netflix, we come bearing some good news and some bad news about the hit international title. Since November 2024 when the second season dropped, and we were left with that cliffhanger, viewers have been wondering if there's more to come in the historical drama. Now, we have the answer.

Netflix has renewed the series, which means The Empress season 3 is happening! Though the downside to this wonderful update is the fact that this is also going to be the final season. That's right. There's one more chapter left in the story before it all comes to an end. Check out the social media announcement below!

The Empress will return for a third and final season!

It’s that time of year again when the European Film Promotion has announced the ten up-and-coming European acting talents selected for the 28th edition of European Shooting Stars.

Presented to the international press, film industry, and public during the 75th Berlinale (13–23 February 2025). As part of this initiative, the actors will participate in a tailor-made, four-day programme – substantially supported by Creative Europe’s Media Programme of the European Union – that will peak with the European Shooting Stars Awards Ceremony on 17 February 2025 at the Berlinale Palast.

Selected by an international jury, comprised of Romanian director and screenwriter Radu Muntean, Swedish casting director Pauline Hansson, Swiss producer Amel Soudani, French actress and former Shooting Star Ludivine Sagnier and Montenegrin journalist and curator Vuk Perović. The five experts recognised the talents‘ remarkable potential for an international career, citing several factors, including their outstanding work in feature films and drama series.

With Cyprus and...

Sky Italia Commits To ‘The X Factor’ After First Ever Outdoor Final

Sky Italia has committed to The X Factor for two more seasons following soaring ratings for the first ever finale to take place outdoors. Last week’s final reached its highest rating for four years and was staged outside in Naples, with a special live performance from Robbie Williams singing “Forbidden Road.” Mimì Caruso was crowned winner. Distributor Fremantle said the show was watched by an average of 1.8 million viewers, up 51% compared to the prior season. The deal will take Simon Cowell’s international hit to 2026 in Italy. “We couldn’t be prouder of the 2024 edition which we redefined from its core, enhancing its entertainment essence and quality,” said Antonella d’Errico, Executive Vice President Content Sky Italia. The X Factor has more than 20 international versions although it hasn’t aired in its origin country the UK since 2018.

European...

The jury for European Shooting Stars, the program that promotes rising actors from Europe, has revealed its 2025 lineup. Shooting Stars from previous editions have included Riz Ahmed, Leonie Benesch, George MacKay, Carey Mulligan, Alba Rohrwacher, Bill Skarsgård, Alicia Vikander and Maisie Williams.

The actors will be presented to the international press, film industry and public during the 75th Berlinale, which runs Feb. 13 – 23. They will take part in a tailor-made, four-day program that will culminate with an awards ceremony on Feb. 17 at the Berlinale Palast. The program is organized by European Film Promotion and is supported by Creative Europe’s Media Programme of the European Union.

The 10 actors selected for its 28th edition are Marina Makris (Cyprus), Besir Zeciri (Denmark), Maarja Johanna Mägi (Estonia), Devrim Lingnau (Germany), Elín Hall (Iceland), Kārlis Arnolds Avots (Latvia), Šarūnas Zenkevičius (Lithuania), Lidija Kordić (Montenegro), Vicente Wallenstein (Portugal) and Frida Gustavsson (Sweden).

The Shooting Stars were...

The Girl With The Needle star Besir Zeciri and Devrim Lingnau, lead in Netflix series The Empress are among the 10 actors selected for the 2025 edition of European Film Promotion’s European Shooting Stars.

The 10 Stars will participate in a four-day programme at next year’s Berlinale, culminating with the European Shooting Stars awards ceremony on February 17 at the Berlinale Palast.

Scroll down for the full list

Each Shooting Stars submission must highlight one performance from the actor’s career, which may be from an as-yet-unreleased work.

Danish entry Zeciri hails from Copenhagen, and played a leading role in Magnus von Horn...

Franz and Sisi have gone down in history as the most perfect couple that the Austrian monarchy ever knew. The marriage and reign of the emperor and the empress of Austria is certainly worthy of being told, which is why it’s no wonder that their story has inspired numerous movies and series over time. The most iconic movie bringing the story of Franz and Sisi to the screen was the 1950s trilogy Sissi with Romy Schneider.

Since the end of 2022, there has been a new mesmerizing contender on the list. With The Empress, Netflix brought an exciting historical drama series to the masses, which renders the story of how the two monarchs met, the beginning stages of their sometimes strained relationship, and how their love and reign evolved over the years. Franz and Sisi were ruling in Austria, but where was Netflix’s The Empress filmed?

Your changes have...

Even though Austria is just a fairly small country in Central Europe, it still has some memorable names attached to its history. Adolf Hitler is certainly one of those figures which immediately come to mind, even if it’s in a negative way, and it’s not surprising that the legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock almost made a movie adaptation of Mein Kampf.

Riding the top 10 Netflix charts after the release of its second season is The Empress, which highlights the life of an equally famous figure, but for very different reasons. The Netflix series revisits the life of Elisabeth of Wittelsbach, Princess of Bavaria, as she comes to Austria to see her sister get married to Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, but unexpectedly ends up as the new Empress herself. This historical series offers a deeper insight into the hardship Franz and Sisi (or Sissi) are facing after their marriage,...

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The Empress is a German historical romantic drama series created by Katharina Eyssen. Based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, the Netflix series follows Elisabeth of Bavaria as she falls for and marries the Emperor Franz of Austria. This marriage pushes Elisabeth into the stressful life of an Empress. What started as a love story becomes so much more as time goes on, and the duties of the Emperor and Empress begin to create distance between Elisabeth and Franz. We see Elisabeth fall in love, deal with the consequences of being an Empress, and put Royal duties first to become a beloved Royal figure among her subjects. The Empress stars Devrim Lingnau, Philip Froissant, Melika Foroutan, Johannes Nussbaum, and Elisa Schlott. So, if you loved the royal intrigue, historical drama, and compelling characters in The Empress,...

Although The Empress is primarily defined by the life of Elizabeth (Devrim Lingnau) in the Austrian royal court, the political landscape also remains a crucial subplot in Season 2. Nephew to the famous military leader, Emperor Napoleon III of France (Christophe Favre) serves as the first great rival to Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant) for domination of Europe, having risen to power as an elected populist. From his bond with Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum) to his support from the Italians, Napoleon represents all that the Austrian monarch hopes to be, yet his fate should serve as a potential warning. Captured following a massive defeat by the Prussians in September 1870, his fall at Sedan foreshadowed the First World War and displayed the danger of underestimating enemies in politics and on the battlefield.

Netflix’s The Empress returned with an intense and emotionally charged Season 2, diving deeper into the lives of Emperor Franz Joseph I (Philip Froissant) and Empress Elisabeth “Sisi” (Devrim Lingnau) as they navigated personal losses, political turmoil, and the growing unrest in the Austrian empire. While Season 1 primarily chronicled Elisabeth’s entry into the Viennese court and her defiance of societal norms, Season 2 expanded the narrative to explore her struggles with motherhood, Franz’s internal battle between duty and personal desires, and the larger conflict of the Second Italian War of Independence. The season’s climactic ending left viewers with both answers and new questions about the fates of Austria, its rulers, and the Habsburg family. Franz’s Decision to Go to War: Noble Leadership or a Desperate Gamble?

The final episodes of Season 2 saw Franz grappling with his identity as emperor. After Austria’s devastating defeat at the Battle of Magenta,...

Quick Links A Surprising and Well-Followed Romance in 'The Empress' 'The Empress' and a Dramatic Step Into a Fantastical Past

Fans of The Crown will be well-served by checking out Netflix’s other political and romantic drama, The Empress. The Empress, based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, is an intriguing and visually stunning period drama dressed in vulnerability and splendor. While some viewers may not have seen the tale of this daring Duchess-turned-Empress as the second season drops on Netflix, now is the perfect time for viewers to catch up.

The Empress stars Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, Duchess, wild child, and unlikely Empress. After falling in love with a not-distant cousin, the free-spirited Elisabeth turned Empress of Austria finds herself caught up in the stifling and treacherous world of royal expectations and international diplomacy. As Elisabeth struggles against the pressures of her new position and her new home,...

As another winds down, it's always a good idea to take a spin on Netflix and see what you missed. That's exactly what I did for November 2024. And, I have to say, there were some really good and underrated shows that most Netflix viewers probably missed.

No, I'm not talking about the biggest shows. Everyone knows Outer Banks season 4, Cobra Kai season 6 part 2, and Arcane season 2 premiered in November. Those shows are all over the Netflix Top 10! Everyone was talking about those shows before the new seasons came out. Even A Man on the Inside, the new Netflix original series from Michael Schur and starring Ted Danson, was more hyped up than the shows we picked for this list.

Let's get the list started with a sneaky good series that needs to return for a new season soon, The Cage!

The Cage

Premiere date: Nov. 8

The Cage is the perfect show for fans of Mma,...

An award-winning period romance drama on Netflix is off to a strong start following the debut of season 2. The period romance subgenre is a key component of the streamer's success, represented by the runaway popularity of Bridgerton. Despite the notable gaps between seasons, and the shifting central focus from one season to the next, Bridgerton season 3 reaffirmed the franchise's passionate support as it dominated the streaming charts and broke records.

The success of Bridgerton, which has served as a launching pad for new stars, has led to the creation of a franchise with the Queen Charlotte prequel spinoff and the possibility of other series following that example. But it has also revived interest in corset dramas, with the Apple TV dramedy The Buccaneers standing out as an example. Another corset drama, though far more serious in its tone, is trending on Netflix.

The Empress Season 2 Is A Global Hit It...

The Empress starring Devrim Lingnau is one of the most popular shows on Netflix! The German original series tells the story of Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, played by Lingau, who becomes the Empress of Austria, but the knives are out in her new home. Elisabeth tries to find her place in a new place.

The first season of the series premiered on Netflix on Sept. 29, 2022, so we know fans were waiting a long time for the next season!

The Empress season 2 just premiered on Netflix on Nov. 22, and it's already moving up the Netflix Top 10 in the United States. In some countries, The Empress season 2 is already the No. 1 show on Netflix.

We know fans are finishing up their binge-watch and moving to other shows. So, if you just watched The Empress and need something new to watch, we have you covered!

I picked four good shows like The Empress for you to watch right now.

The Empress is a German-language drama series thats 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 wasnt privy to before letting love bring her into this world. The Empress is inspired by real events that happened in the Austrian court in the 1800s, and brings much of this intense realism to its story.

The Empress has an excellent cast that 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 of The Empress introduces even more interesting characters and subplots that elevate the show even further,...

The Empress Season 2 brings back most of its core cast members from Season 1 led by Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant. 

Created by Katharina Eyssen, the Netflix drama chronicles the emotional journey of Empress Elisabeth "Sisi" Von Wittelsbach as she juggles her political responsibilities and her forbidden love with Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. 

The Empress Season 2 premiered on Netflix on November 22. 

Read full article on The Direct.

After a successful first season, The Empress has returned with its second installment. Devrim Lingnau is brilliant in her portrayal of the troubled empress, Elisabeth. While season one established how Elisabeth was a dreamer and an idealist, in the second season the show explores the reason behind her declining mental health and the challenges she faced as a mother. As an empress, Elisabeth was told that her primary duty was to produce an heir to the throne, and her inability to do so resulted in harsh criticism. She cherished motherhood, but the weight of failing to serve the throne often wore her down. During her second pregnancy, it was assumed that she would give birth to a boy, but to her mother-in-law’s disappointment, a girl was born.

Spoiler Alert

What caused unrest in the Austrian Empire?

Unrest started to develop in the Lombardy-Venetia region as the locals began to strive for political autonomy.

As someone who occasionally enjoys a good period drama, I think the Netflix German show The Empress ticks the right boxes. At a time when the genre itself is being challenged and redefined, the show is not pathbreaking per se, but it is decent enough to enjoy and learn about a few chapters from history. When it comes to period drama, there is scope for taking complete creative liberty and envisioning a historical figure in a modern light, or there is the traditional route where the creator can stick to texts and facts and create a historically accurate work. In the case of The Empress, the show is a blend of both; it sticks to the popular narrative around Elisabeth, and at times the show takes the liberty of imagining the extent of her rebellious nature. Empress Elisabeth of Austria is a pop culture icon by now. She was defiant and challenged societal norms,...

It's been two years since the first season of The Empress premiered on Netflix with six exciting episodes. Finally, Season 2 is about to premiere. The Empress was created by Katharina Eyssen, and follows the 16-year-old Empress Elisabeth "Sisi" Von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau). Elisabeth falls in love with Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria (Philip Froissant) and marries him. This is complicated by the fact the emperor's original bride was Elisabeth's sister, Helene (Elisa Schlott).

“The Empress” is a German produced historical drama TV series based on the life of ‘Empress Elisabeth of Austria’, starring Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant, with Season 2 streaming November 22, 2024 on Netflix:

“…teenage Bavarian ‘Duchess Elisabeth Sisi von Wittelsbach’, falls in love with ‘Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria’, the intended fiancé of her older sister, ‘Duchess Helene’, and they marry.

“Arriving in Vienna, Sisi finds herself navigating the complexity of court politics and her husband's scheming family.

“Her mother-in-law, ‘Archduchess Sophie’, who is also her aunt, antagonizes her almost immediately.

“‘Maximilian’, Franz Joseph's younger brother, tries to outshine his brother and prove that he is more worthy to rule…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Never tell a woman to calm down — and definitely not someone as spirited as Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Devrim Lingnau), who proves the adage about well-behaved women rarely making history true in the trailer for Season 2 of The Empress.

Much like Sisi herself, the historical drama instantly captured hearts and minds across the world when it premiered in 2022. Now, the German-language series is back for Season 2 — along with plenty of palace intrigue, gorgeous costumes, and sexy romance.

“I’m incredibly grateful that we were able to touch so many different people in Germany and all over the world with our series,” showrunner Katharina Eyssen told Netflix at the time of the renewal announcement. “The story of Elisabeth’s life is a story of the power of love, but also of the courage to be different and of hope for a better future. And that’s what we need...

“The Empress” is a German produced historical drama TV series based on the life of ‘Empress Elisabeth of Austria’, starring Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant, with Season 2 streaming November 22, 2024 on Netflix:

“…teenage Bavarian ‘Duchess Elisabeth Sisi von Wittelsbach’, falls in love with ‘Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria’, the intended fiancé of her older sister, ‘Duchess Helene’, and they marry.

“Arriving in Vienna, Sisi finds herself navigating the complexity of court politics and her husband's scheming family.

“Her mother-in-law, ‘Archduchess Sophie’, who is also her aunt, antagonizes her almost immediately.

“‘Maximilian’, Franz Joseph's younger brother, tries to outshine his brother and prove that he is more worthy to rule…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

It's been well over two years, but the highly anticipated second season of The Empress has finally landed a release date on Netflix. On Sept. 27, two days shy of the show's official two-year anniversary, Netflix announced The Empress season 2 will be released on Friday, Nov. 22. As of this writing, that's less than two months away. The wait is nearly over!

The German-language historical drama series first premiered on Netflix back on Sept. 29, 2022. In the show's first four days of release on the platform, it managed to amass over 47 million hours watched and become one of the most-watch non-English language shows. The Empress also managed to put up a good fight against the behemoth Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

Naturally, Netflix renewed the series for season 2 in November 2022, shortly after its release. It's been a long time coming, but Elisabeth of Austria is at long last reclaiming her throne, her crown,...

The trailer for The Empress season 2 welcomes back Netflix's award-winning historical series. Debuting in September 2022, the series is created by Katharina Eyssen. It's based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, with Devrim Lingnau in the title role and Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph. It won the International Emmy Drama Series award in 2023.

Netflix has released the trailer for The Empress season 2, confirming that new episodes will be released on November 22.

Developing...

The Empress kicked off its story with a marriage based on love, unlike many historical dramas, focusing on intrigue and romance. Fans of The Empress will enjoy Sisi, Vanity Fair, and Reign, which offer similar tales of scandal, romance, and powerful female leads. Cable Girls, Downton Abbey, and Call the Midwife are modern period dramas with strong female characters fighting for their rights and independence.

Historical dramas remain one of the most popular genres of television and shows like The Empress prove there are still more stories to tell from European history. Based on the life of the real Empress Elisabeth of Austria (1837-1898), Devrim Lingnau plays 16-year-old Elisabeth as she falls in love with and marries her sister's intended fianc, Emperor Franz Joseph. Released in 2022, the show was one of the most popular non-English Netflix series of the year and the streaming service immediately ordered a second season and...

Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s suspense drama “Hysteria” offers a timely look at Germany’s diverse West Asian community and the subtle racism and hypocrisy that often permeates liberal discourse about immigrants and foreign cultures.

“Hysteria” centers on a provocative film being shot by a Turkish-German director about racist arson attacks on German migrant residences in the 1990s. When a Quran goes up in flames during the shoot, the Arab extras on set are outraged, resulting in a set fraught with tension. Caught in the crossfire, production intern Elif, played by Devrim Lingnau (“The Empress”), finds herself increasingly drawn into a whirlwind of shame and suspicion.

Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay

Büyükatalay, who won the Berlinale’s Best First Feature Award in 2019 for his drama “Oray,” which likewise explores themes of Muslim culture in Germany, is among seven film professionals selected as part of this year’s Face to Face with German Films talent showcase campaign.

Pluto Film has expanded its lineup ahead of this year’s EFM in Berlin with Generation 14plus screener “Huling Palabas.”

The Berlin-based sales company has also acquired the historical drama “Sima’s Song” by award-winning Afghan director Roya Sadat; Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s timely and suspenseful German social drama “Hysteria”; and Luxembourgish helmer Eric Lamhène’s “Breathing Underwater,” which explores violence against women.

Ryan Espinosa Machado’s Philippine coming-of-age drama “Huling Palabas,” described by Pluto Film CEO Daniela Cölle as “a charming LGBTQ debut,” follows a 16-year-old boy in 2001 who, while searching for his father in the most unlikely of places, becomes mystified by two movie-like characters who appear in his small town.

“Huling Palabas” is produced by the Philippines’ Tilt Studios, Terminal Six, Waf Studios and Studio Pulo.

“Sima’s Song”

“Sima’s Song” stars Mozhdah Jamalzadah and Niloufar Koukhani as Suraya and Sima, lifelong friends whose lives take...

Squid Game is coming back this year.

Netflix confirmed that the Korean drama series will air in 2024. It will debut alongside the second seasons of The Diplomat and Empress as well as the third season of Bridgerton.

“Looking ahead, despite last year’s strikes pushing back the launch of some titles, we have a big, bold slate for 2024,” the company said in its investor letter after its financials.

Squid Game debuted on Netflix on September 17, 2021, and became a global phenomenon. The series clocked over 1.65B viewing hours in 28 days and reached 111 million accounts, becoming Netflix’s first series to surpass 100 million members at launch. It remains the most-watched series ever on Netflix.

Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Season 2 will see Lee Byung-hun returning as Front Man and Wi Ha-jun, who will revisit the character of police detective Jun-ho. Gong Yoo will be coming back as well.

The Empress is a German-language series that is rated TV-ma and contains mature content, including explicit sex scenes and violence. The show explores themes of lineage, family relations, and the importance of marriages in forming alliances between royal houses. The Empress is intended for mature audiences and may not be suitable for younger viewers, but alternative period dramas like Downton Abbey are more family-friendly options.

The Empress parents' guide is a useful tool for anyone looking to determine if Netflix's historical drama is kid-friendly or not. Premiering in September 2022, The Empress depicts the real-life Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, who was a Duchess in Bavaria but went on to become Empress of Austria in 1854. "Sisi" as she was commonly known, is played by Devrim Lingnau in the show. The series depicts the court life of the Austrian palace and the Hapsburg Dynasty. With only six episodes in the first season, The Empress...

The adventures of Sisi and Franz will continue.

German period drama series Sisi — a reimagining of the historic love story between 19th century Austrian Empress Elisabeth, nicknamed “Sisi,” and her husband, Emperor Franz — has received a third-season order from German network Rtl.

Swiss American actress Dominique Devenport will return as Sisi and Jannik Schümann as Franz for season 3, which Story House Pictures will produce, in collaboration with Beta Film.

Sisi was an out-of-the-gate hit for Rtl, which has success both streaming the show on its Rtl+ platform and broadcasting it on its flagship linear channel in Germany. Beta has sold the series to more than 100 territories worldwide, including to Mediaset in Italy, TF1 in France and Globoplay in Brazil.

In the Rtl series, Empress Elisabeth is depicted as a tomboy who falls, as a princess in Bavaria, head-over-heels in love with the the handsome and powerful Franz, Emperor of Austria.

Empress Elisabeth of Austria, a starlet of 19th-century Europe, refused to have her photograph taken after she reached her mid-thirties. It’s a detail that hasn’t been copied over to Corsage, Marie Kreutzer’s tastefully anachronistic film about the Hapsburg royal. But that absence of photos as Elisabeth aged remains central to Kreutzer’s vision. Elizabeth believed beauty was her only currency, and she would do anything to preserve it. That includes, most infamously, a tightly corseted waist that measured a mere 19.5 inches.

We’ve seen many onscreen Elisabeths before. Romy Schneider, in the Fifties, starred in a television trilogy that reimagined her life as a bouncy, sweet-souled fairytale. It soon became a Christmas staple in Germany and Austria. Netflix only recently debuted its more feminist-minded take, The Empress, starring Devrim Lingnau. Many depictions offer ample time to the controversy that rocked Elisabeth’s later years when her son,...

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Period drama series The Empress is set to return to Netflix for a second season, the streamer said on Tuesday.

Stars Devrim Lingnau, who plays the titular Austrian Empress Elisabeth “Sisi,” and Philip Froissant, who plays husband Emperor Franz-Joseph I will return for season 2, along with fellow cast members Melika Foroutan, Johannes Nussbaum, Almila Bagriacik and Jördis Triebel. The drama’s writer and showrunner is Katharina Eyssen.

The first season, launched in September, introduced the rebellious Elisabeth, her relationship with the emperor, his mother and his unpredictable brother, as well as enemy troops threatening the empire. “The historical drama 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, including Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Australia and its home country Germany,” Netflix said.

Exclusive: The Empress is returning to Netflix.

The period drama from Germany has been an international hit for the streamer following its launch at the end of September and has now been commissioned for a second run, we’ve learned.

Watch a video message from returning cast members Devrim Lingnau, who plays the titular Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria, Philip Froissant, Johannes Nussbaum and Almila Bagriacik confirming the re-order below. Jördis Triebel also returns, along with writer and showrunner Katharina Eyssen.

Robert Eyssen is executive producer with Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach’s Sommerhaus Serien leading production. Executive producer Scarlett Lacey returns for development.

The first season explored the rebellious young empress Elisabeth (‘Sisi’) and how her relationship with Franz, Emperor of Austria, jumbled the Habsburg royal dynasty’s power structure. Following her wedding, Sisi was forced to assert herself against new mother-in-law Sophie and deal with her emotions for Franz’s unpredictable brother Maxi,...

If you're still pining for the splendor and drama of ITV’s Victoria series, Netflix’s new German historical drama The Empress is the perfect substitute. Set in the mid-19th century, The Empress explores the relationship between sixteen-year-old Duchess Elisabeth "Sisi" von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) and Franz Joseph I of Austria (Philip Froissant) as she finds herself thrust into the complex and duplicitous court politics made worse by her new husband’s mother, Princess Sophie of Bavaria (Melika Foroutan), and brother Archduke Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum).

Reimagining of Sheridan Le Fanu’s 19th-century vampire novella will screen at virtual market.

Arclight Films has bulked up its AFM sales slate with international rights excluding the UK, Australia and Germany to gothic horror and Sitges, Edinburgh and Chicago selection Carmilla.

The solo directorial debut of writer-director Emily Harris stars newcomers Hannah Rae and Devrim Lingnau alongside Jessica Raine, Tobias Menzies and Greg Wise, both of whom were recently featured in Netflix’s The Crown.

Carmilla will screen to buyers at the virtual market next week and is a reimagining of Sheridan Le Fanu’s 19th-century vampire novella of the same name.

The film is released in the UK today (October 16).

Emily Harris’ UK feature Carmilla has secured distribution deals in Germany and Australia, ahead of the film’s UK release today (October 16).

Busch Media has acquired distribution rights for Germany, with Icon Australia picking it up for Australia. Deals were secured via producers Lizzie Brown and Emily Precious of Bird Flight Films, with the support of Sarah Arnott of Zero Gravity Management.

Carmilla is released in 30 UK cinemas today through Republic Film Distribution; Film Movement released the film on virtual platforms in the US during the Covid-19-induced lockdown.

It premiered...

One of vampire fiction’s earliest works, Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu kicked off the genre almost 30 years before Bram Stoker’s Dracula hit bookshelves. The story is about a young woman who’s preyed upon by a female vampire named Carmilla. It’s the prototypical example of a lesbian vampire narrative, which, since its publication in 1872, has spawned direct adaptations and inspired many others’ stories. In this latest take on the novella, writer-director Emily Harris strips Carmilla of its vampiric roots. It does carry the dark tone of Le Fanu’s work, but it’s not a horror film, it’s a period romance. By removing it from the vampire canon, Harris unintentionally retreats to the depiction of lesbianism that was hotly criticized when lesbian vampire films first began.

Set in 18th century England, Lara (Hannah Rae) is isolated from the outside world, living in seclusion on a...

"After we die... what then?" Film Movement has released an official Us trailer for the indie fantasy drama film titled Carmilla, which is "inspired by" Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic Gothic vampire novella of the same name. Described as "a moody, atmospheric, coming-of-age love story steeped in eerie mystery and inspired by the vampire story." This originally premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival last year, and we featured the original UK trailer earlier this year. Starring Hannah Rae as a 15-year-old girl who gets entangled in a love affair when a carriage crash brings a new guest to the house. This also stars Tobias Menzies, Jessica Raine, Greg Wise, and Devrim Lingnau. Featuring some lovely cinematography by Dp Michael Wood. This trailer starts out quite lovely and quiet, but gets seriously intense in the last 30 seconds. Whew! Enjoy. Here's the new official Us trailer (+ new poster) for Emily Harris' Carmilla,...