Is The Empress based on a true story? Who is it based on?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Apr 18, 2023
The Empress
The Empress, a historical drama series premiered on Netflix on September 29, 2022. The show stars Devrim Lingnau as the Empress and Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph. It quickly became one of Netflix's most popular shows worldwide, ranking second for two weeks and seventh for non-English shows in 2022. Viewers streamed over 150 million hours of the series. On November 8, 2022, Netflix announced that it had renewed the show for a second season. A companion novel, The Empress: A Novel, by Gigi Griffis, was commissioned by Netflix and released two days before the series premiered.
Is The Empress based on a true story?
Yes, The Empress is based on a true story. The series portrays the life of Empress Sisi or Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, the renowned Austrian royal who was married to Emperor Franz Ferdinand. The show offers a fictional retelling of her experiences at court, with the first season focusing on her early years of marriage. The plot centers on the spirited Empress as she navigates through the Viennese court.
As captivating as the show's romance, old language, and costumes may be, it's crucial to differentiate between its factual and fictional aspects. The creators of The Empress aimed to maintain historical accuracy as much as possible, despite taking some artistic liberties. They refrained from altering timelines or manipulating historical events to construct a more dramatic storyline.
While the series is labeled as a "truthful interpretation," some conversations and scenarios between characters were imagined in order to develop their complex relationships.
Who is the Empress based on?
The Empress is based on the life of Elisabeth von Wittelsbach also known as "Sissi" or "Sisi," who was born into the Bavarian royal family on December 24, 1837, according to Tatler. Her parents fostered a free-spirited upbringing, allowing her to explore the outdoors and pursue creative interests. Sisi gained fame across Europe after marrying Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria and becoming Empress of Austria.
At 16, Elisabeth married Franz Joseph, who was 23 at the time, as per Britannica. Initially, Franz was supposed to marry her older sister, Helene, but he fell in love with Elisabeth instead when they met at a party. However, it's unclear whether Elisabeth reciprocated his feelings. Vogue reports that she was taken aback by the sudden engagement and felt embarrassed by the switch-up, while Helene fell into a depression.
Elisabeth rebelled against formal court life and its norms, finding it dull, as reported by Tatler. She was known for her love of smoking, horseback riding, and gymnastics, which made her a topic of gossip. Despite this, she remained beloved by the common people and was a popular figure throughout her life.
Elisabeth is believed to have suffered from an eating disorder, and she was renowned for her beauty routines and anti-aging concoctions. However, her life was tragically cut short when she was stabbed by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni while traveling to Switzerland. She died at the age of 60 on September 10, 1898, as mentioned in the original text.
The Empress Plot
In the 1850s, Helene and Elisabeth, also known as "Sisi," are duchesses from the German House of Wittelsbach. They travel to meet Emperor Franz of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, who is expected to propose to Helene. However, Franz falls in love with Sisi and decides to marry her instead.
In 1853, there is an assassination attempt on Franz's life, and Nicholas I of Russia seeks an alliance with Austria against the Ottoman Empire. Meanwhile, Sophie of Bavaria, Franz's mother, believes that his marriage to Helene will strengthen Austria's claim to the German states.
After her marriage to Franz, Sisi becomes popular with the public, but faces palace intrigue. Franz is hesitant to engage in military action despite pressure from his council and mother.
Elisabeth befriends the maid Leontine, but her well-intended gesture backfires. Maximilian I of Mexico plans a coup to seize the Austrian throne from his older brother, while Franz is desperate to reconcile with Sisi.
The Empress Ending Explained
Towards the end, Archduchess Sophie advises Elisabeth to either end her marriage with Franz and leave Vienna to return to Bavaria or conform to the expectations of the palace. However, Elisabeth discovers that she's pregnant and is heartbroken when Franz agrees with his mother's suggestion for her to leave.
As Elisabeth prepares to leave the palace, a large crowd protest against Franz, blocking her exit. Despite the guards' advice to keep the gates closed, she demands that they be opened and addresses the crowd, publicly announcing her pregnancy. This creates uncertainty about what will happen next.
Will Elisabeth be able to return to Bavaria after revealing her pregnancy to the world? Can she reconcile with Franz? And what will happen to the empire now that protests have escalated? We can only hope that a potential season two will provide answers to these questions.
The Empress Review
Katharina Eyssen, the creator of The Empress, delivers a well-balanced series that blends a coming-of-age love story with political intrigue and rebellion. The show's directors, Florian Cossen and Katrin Gebbe, depict Elisabeth's life with delicate grace, showcasing the horrors she faces while navigating her new life in Vienna as a young Duchess. Devrim Lingnau portrays Elisabeth with nuance and depth, making her a relatable character whose unexpected love for Franz alters her fate and that of Austria. The chemistry between Lingnau and Froissant is palpable, and their imperfect romance is a joy to watch. Franz also faces struggles, including tensions with Russia and his ambitious brother Maximilian.
The Empress's costume design by Gabrielle Reumer is a visual feast, with intricate details and vibrant colors that contrast with the brewing rebellion beyond the palace gates. The rebellion also finds its way into the palace, leading to a unique relationship between Elisabeth's lady in waiting, Leontine von Apafi, who becomes both her confidant and adversary. This duplicitous storytelling lays the groundwork for even more intrigue in a potential second season. Overall, The Empress is a compelling and well-crafted series that is sure to leave viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Is The Empress based on a true story - FAQs
The Empress is a historical drama series set in 19th century Austria that follows the story of young Duchess Elisabeth who marries Emperor Franz Joseph and becomes Empress. The series explores her personal struggles, her relationship with Franz, and the political turmoil in Austria at the time.
Devrim Lingnau stars as Elisabeth, while Philip Froissant plays Emperor Franz Joseph. Other notable cast members include Elisa Schlott, Martina Gedeck, and Almila Bagriacik.
As of April 2023, The Empress is available to stream exclusively on the German streaming service, Joyn.
While the series is based on real historical events and people, it is not entirely accurate. The show takes some liberties with the timeline and characterizations, and some events are fictionalized for dramatic effect.
There is no official announcement regarding a second season of The Empress. However, the series ended on a cliffhanger, leaving room for future episodes.