This article contains spoilers for The Empress season 1.
A wintery helping of period drama is on its way to Netflix. The Empress season 2 is coming soon, with a second chapter dropping in November.
The series follows the story of Austrian imperial couple Elisabeth von Wittelsbach and Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria. As Elisabeth unexpectedly falls in love with Franz, what comes with that love is the complicated politics of the Viennese court.
She must fight for her country, empire but also for her own principles as both herself and Franz get swept up by royal expectations. And now, season 2 is almost here for another chapter of royal drama.
Here's what we know so far about The Empress season 2.
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The Empress season 2 plot
At the end of season one, Elisabeth discovers that she's pregnant just after declaring that she will be returning to Bavaria. Will this help or hinder the tense relations with both Franz and Archduchess Sophia? She then addresses a protesting crowd and announces she is expecting a child, and heir.
So what will happen next for the royal couple? The synopsis for season 2 reads as follows: "The first crisis is barely over and the young couple wants to enjoy their fresh marital bliss when dark clouds gather over Schönbrunn Palace: Franz (Philip Froissant) unexpectedly faces a powerful adversary in Europe. And Elisabeth (Devrim Lingnau) comes under great pressure, because an heir to the throne is to secure the future of the empire as quickly as possible.
“When fate strikes with all its power, the couple's love threatens to finally break apart. And Elisabeth must fight not only for her family, but also for the integrity of her soul...”
The Empress season 2 cast
The following cast members from The Empress season 1 will be returning: Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, Phillip Froissant as Franz Joseph I of Austria, Melika Foroutan as Sophie, Archduchess of Austria and Franz's mother, Elisa Schlott as Helene, Johannes Nussbaum as Archduke Maximilian, Franz's younger brother, Almila Bagriacik as Countess Leontine von Apafi and Jördis Triebel as Ludovika, Duchess of Bavaria, Elisabeth's mother.
We will also see new faces join the season 2 cast, including Josephine Thiesen as Princess Marie Charlotte of Belgium and Christophe Favre as Napoleon III.
The Empress season 2 release date
Netflix recently confirmed on social media that the second season will premiere on 22 November.
“The fairytale era is over, now the battle for the future begins,” the streamer posted.
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The Empress season 2 trailer
Watch below. The couple look to be navigating the issue of another royal daughter, not a male heir, as well as the tensions that arise from Elisabeth's sympathies and involvement in royal politics.
“There are other things I want to do," she says in the trailer. “For our empire.” We also see the royal court conspire against her, because she is "not the Empress we need".
It's going to be a season of Elisabeth fighting for her empire, and we can't wait to see it.
