The Empress review: An intense and visually splendid period drama

3.5/5

Story: Duchess Helene (Elisa Schlott), the daughter of a Bavarian Duke, is set to marry her cousin and Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant). However, Franz finds Helene too virtuous and predictable and, instead, falls in love with her sixteen-year-old free-spirited and rebellious sister Elisabeth (Devrim Lingnau) who is fondly called Sisi. Franz weds Elisabeth but the latter is unprepared for the demanding role of an Empress and finds herself constantly challenging the rigid rules of the 19th-century Viennese Court. Meanwhile, Franz finds his leadership threatened by his own brother Maximilian (Johannes Nussbaum) who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal of becoming the next ruler. To make matters worse, a group of rebels plan to launch a revolt against the empire.

Review: There is no denying that the period drama genre is already saturated with a host of movies and TV shows. While period films have failed to impress the critics and audiences in recent years, TV shows such as Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, and The Crown continue to draw viewers across the globe, thanks to opulent set pieces, elaborate costumes, and gripping storylines that transport one to a different time and place. Joining the league is Netflix’s latest German series The Empress (Die Kaiserin) which revolves around Empress Elisabeth, who was the Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary between 1854 and 1898. Those who are familiar with her life would agree that her story has all the ingredients that make it nothing short of a compelling film screenplay. And The Empress brings to life her fascinating and eventful story by incorporating everything that one could ask for in a period drama — spellbinding visuals, stellar performances, well-rounded character arcs, and an evocative score.

The first episode starts off at a slow pace as it spends considerable time introducing the characters in the series. Elisabeth aka Sisi (she is not very fond of this name) is the black sheep of the family. Unlike other girls of her age at the time, she spends her days riding her horse or writing poetry, and has no interest in marrying anyone but her ‘true soulmate’. Becoming an empress was never on her bucket list but when she does become one, she finds herself torn between her own individuality and the expectations to conform to royal rules and etiquettes. Her frustration and despair are effectively captured by Devrim Lingnau who gets into the skin of the character with ease. Lingnau puts her all into the character and one would find themselves empathising with her.

Franz, although smitten by Elisabeth, has his own set of problems. He finds himself in the midst of an impending foreign invasion and a revolution back home. Moreover, his overbearing mother and scheming brother make him doubt his worthiness to rule. And although his attitude towards Elisabeth changes as the series progresses, we understand where he is coming from. Froissant puts up a remarkably restrained performance as Franz.

This is one such series where the supporting cast delivers an equally impressive performance as the lead, if not better. Melika Foroutan as Franz's mother Sophie evokes both dislike and sympathy. She is mostly harsh towards Elisabeth but on more than one occasion, we see her in her most vulnerable state, especially when she talks about her dead daughter. Similarly, Johannes Nussbaum delivers a stand-out performance as Archduke Maximilian, who tries to get out of the shadows of his mother and brother and make a name for himself, even if it means betraying his own family.

One of the highlights of the series is the palpable and steamy chemistry between Lingnau and Philip Froissant. But The Empress is not merely a love story. By the third episode, the series kicks into gear as multiple subplots are introduced into the narrative. These subplots are incorporated in such a way that they take the multi-faceted storyline forward instead of bogging it down.

It’s very evident that considerable money and effort have been spent on production design and costumes. The sets and the costumes take us to a different era and the cinematography perfectly captures the claustrophobia that Elisabeth feels while being stuck inside the vast corridors of the palace. The dramatic background score elevates the series to a higher pedestal. The only drawback in the series is its cliffhanger ending. The ending leaves a lot to the imagination and doesn’t seem like an end of a limited series. After watching the series, one is bound to ask if there would be a second season.

Verdict: The Empress is a compelling period drama about an Empress who was way ahead of her time, and we hope there is a second season because Elisabeth’s story deserves to be told. Although the ending leaves a lot to be desired, it is a must-watch series, especially if you are a fan of period dramas.