Netflix’s lavish German period drama The Empress is back for one last round. Season 3, the final season, lands on the streamer today, Thursday, November 12.
The series first premiered in 2022 and follows Elisabeth of Austria, the young woman who met and married Emperor Franz Joseph in mid-19th-century Vienna and became one of Europe’s most famous royals. Devrim Lingnau returns in the title role she has made her own.
What happens this time
The final chapter takes Elisabeth away from Vienna. Her health is declining, and her marriage is coming apart after Franz returns home traumatised by war. Instead of glittering court balls, the story turns to a woman trying to find her own space and her own voice outside the palace walls.
Who it is for
If you enjoy the costumes and intrigue of Bridgerton or the royal drama of The Crown, this is an easy pick for the weekend. For long-time fans, the bigger draw is simply closure: after three seasons, viewers finally get to see how this version of Elisabeth’s story ends.