Netflix will release the third and final season of the German historical drama The Empress on Nov. 12, with Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant back as Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz.
The finale arrives almost exactly two years after Season 2 and promises a tense, emotional goodbye for the imperial couple.
(The Empress via Netflix)
- Release date: Nov. 12
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Language: German, with English dubbing and subtitles available on earlier seasons
- Cast: Devrim Lingnau, Philip Froissant, Melika Foroutan, Johannes Nussbaum, Josephine Thiesen, Runa Greiner and Dejan Bućin
- Directors: Florian Cossen and Julia Langhof
When Does The Empress Season 3 Come Out?
All of Season 3 streams exclusively on Netflix worldwide starting Nov. 12.
The series debuted in September 2022, and Season 2 followed in November 2024.
Netflix has confirmed this is the last chapter, so the story of Elisabeth and Franz ends here.
What Is The Empress Season 3 About?
The season picks up after the devastating Sardinian War, when Franz returns home a traumatized man.
Their marriage is already on thin ice, and Elisabeth’s first major journey far from court introduces her to someone who changes her life and the fate of the Habsburgs.
In the end, Elisabeth has to decide whether to follow her heart or to be a sincere empress to her people.
Also read about: The Biggest Shows and Movies Coming to Netflix in November 2026
Who Is in the Cast?
Devrim Lingnau stars as Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, and Philip Froissant plays Franz Joseph I of Austria.
Melika Foroutan returns as Franz’s mother, Sophie, and Johannes Nussbaum is back as his brother, Maximilian.
Josephine Thiesen and Runa Greiner also return, and Dejan Bućin appears as Count Andrássy in a first-look image from the new season.
Where Was Season 3 Filmed?
Production took place in Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Spain.
The cast was spotted in full costume filming scenes in Lloret de Mar, north of Barcelona, which marks the first time the show headed to Spain’s beaches.
Katharina Eyssen returns as showrunner, and Florian Cossen and Julia Langhof direct the final episodes.
Is The Empress in English?
The Empress, known as Die Kaiserin in Germany, is a German-language series, and it was filmed in German.
Netflix dubbed the first season into 14 languages, including English, and added subtitles in dozens more.
Seasons 1 and 2 let you choose between the English dub and the original German audio with English subtitles.
Netflix hasn’t spelled out the language options for Season 3 yet, but you can check the audio and subtitle menu once it arrives on Nov. 12.
Plenty of fans prefer the original German with subtitles, so it’s worth trying both.
How Can You Catch Up Before the Finale?
Seasons 1 and 2 are both streaming on Netflix now.
Season 2 ended with Elisabeth and Franz’s marriage under immense pressure as the court expected her to produce a male heir.
A quick rewatch is a good way to get ready for the lavish costumes and royal drama the finale promises.
Craving more period drama? Check out Everything We Know So Far About Bridgerton Season 5’s Cast, Plot and Release.
