EXCLUSIVE: The final season of Netflix‘s European royal drama The Empress is coming later this year, and we’ve got first word on its makers’ next project.
The Empress creators and showrunners Robert and Katharina Eyssen, producer Sommerhaus and Netflix have gotten the band back together for Witches (working title), a dark historical drama set during the European witch hunts of the 17th century. Scarlett Lacey, exec producer of The Empress, is also on board.
Development on the series is underway. We hear it will be a “major” serialized historical drama series, the largest series to date based on this period in European history.
Set in medieval Germany, Witches follows the story of three sisters as they face the rising terror of a rarely dramatized chapter of European history: The German witch hunts. Per the logline, the show will revolve around a family torn apart by suspicion, accusation and betrayal, and tell a story of protecting loved ones in the grip of fear and fanaticism — and of unyielding resistance in the shadow of one of Europe’s darkest chapters.
“We are incredibly happy to have found a creative home at Netflix again,” said Robert and Katharina Eyssen in a statement to Deadline. “Not only do we feel that our artistic vision is truly understood there, we also deeply appreciate the professionalism and, above all, the trust that has grown over many years.
“As with The Empress, we are creating a family story centered on strong, complex, and defiant female characters. It is a radically emotional story that explores marginalization and persecution — a series that provokes thought, sweeps you along, and gets under your skin.”
Eva van Leeuwen, Netflix’s Head of Series for the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) region, added: “We are delighted to be moving forward with another highly promising project with Katharina and Robert Eyssen and Sommerhaus. Our collaboration has grown over many years, and we’re excited to continue working with such exceptional creative partners on an untold story deeply rooted in German and European history.”
Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach, producers at Sommerhaus, lauded their collaboration with Netflix and the Eyssens, 2019 miniseries Holiday Secrets and The Empress, which began streaming in 2022. “Every day we experience what a gift such a trusting and reliable collaboration is, and how valuable the experiences we have shared truly are,” they added.
The Empress is among the most-watched European originals on Netflix. Produced out of Germany, the show follows the dramatic story of Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz in 19th century Austria, with Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant in the lead roles. Season 2 sees the pair attempting to enjoy their new marital bliss, just as dark clouds gather over Schönbrunn Palace.
We reported earlier this month that the third season would be the final run, news that came after production on Season 3 wrapped at the end of January. Season 3 is set to drop later this year.
