If you still yearn for the brilliance and drama of ITV, Victoria series, a new German historical drama from Netflix empress is the perfect replacement. The action takes place in the middle of the 19th century. empress explores the relationship between the sixteen-year-old Duchess Elisabeth “Sisi” von Wittelsbach (Devrim Lingnau) and Franz Joseph I of Austria (Philip Froissan) as she becomes embroiled in complex and duplicitous court politics, exacerbated by her new husband’s mother, Princess Sophie of Bavaria (Melika Forutan), and brother Archduke Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum).
There is no doubt from the first episode. empress was created Katharina Eissen as well as Lena Stahlwho created a series that is equal parts a coming-of-age romance of a young duchess and a story filled with political intrigue and the rumblings of a growing rebellion. Series directors Florian Kossen as well as Catherine Gebbe shaping Elizabeth’s life with subtle grace, displaying the naivete that comes from being only sixteen years old and carefully imagining the little horrors in her life. empress doesn’t shy away from the obsessive nature of stone-faced doctors conducting chastity tests, the frustration Elisabeth feels when confronted by her new husband’s former mistress at their wedding, and the suffocating submission to her new life in Vienna.
Devrim Lingnau is a breath of fresh air as Elizabeth, playing her with a level of nuance that is sure to bring devastation if empress continues until its tragic end in 1898. She really is just a wild teenager who only cares about freedom, poetry and her horse before she catches the eye of Franz when he has to look after her sister Helene (Eliza Schlott). She was never raised to be an empress, it was something that blossomed out of unexpected love and changed the course of not only her own life, but the fate of Austria. You sympathize with her even when you know that the Habsburgs hang their opposition.
Her romance with Franz is also pretty funny to see on the show because it’s not perfect by any measure, but there was never a lack of chemistry between Lingnau and Froissan. Throughout the series, Franz has to deal with his own problems, namely the growing tension between Austria and Russia and the looming conflict. But there are other conflicts he has to face that are much closer than the border, including his brother Maximilian, who is determined to undermine his authority, sow seeds of discord and put himself in his place to seize the throne.
Suits empress luxurious feast for the eyes; from the intricate gowns worn by Elizabeth to the exquisite details of a sophisticated gentleman’s wardrobe and military regalia. Gabriel Reimer, the show’s costume designer, keeps a close eye on not only the layering of colors and textures to convey deeper meaning in every scene and episode, but also to explore the full breadth of what Austrians wore during that period. So often historical productions are limited to dull, lifeless colors and patterns, oblivious to how flamboyantly the aristocracy dressed. FROM empress, these dramatic sparks of color and ostentatious design stand in stark contrast to the uprising brewing outside the palace gates.
But the uprising also penetrated the palace, providing a unique opportunity for one of Elizabeth’s ladies-in-waiting, Leontyne von Apafi (Almila Bagryachik) to become her confidant and bitter adversary. Leontina sees firsthand that the newly-made empress is not an enemy of the people, but a pawn in the hands of those who control all aspects of her life. But even so, this does not completely dissuade her of her Machiavellian plans. It’s the kind of two-faced narrative that sets the stage for even more intrigue in Season 2.
Historical drama fans will want to find time for empress, as its first season is a truly superbly crafted program. It pays homage to the memory of Elisabeth and Franz while creating a gripping series that effortlessly immerses viewers in the drama and grandeur of a turbulent period in history. The series does an excellent job of laying out key points of tension between the characters, ensuring that viewers intimately familiar with the Habsburgs and those looking for their new favorite historical drama will enjoy a trip to 19th-century Austria. Elizabeth’s humanity and empathy are central empresspresenting her as a character and a real-life figure that viewers can easily relate to as she is forced into a world she just understands.
As with all foreign language programming on Netflix, if you can watch with subtitles in your own language, I strongly encourage you to watch. empress in German with subtitles. The English dub pales in comparison to the way the actors speak their language and tell the story the way it was intended.
Rating: BUT
1 season empress currently streaming on Netflix.
Source: Collider