Netflix is making headlines as it announces the continuation of its beloved series, 'The Empress,' alongside key leadership changes within the company. The hit historical drama, which chronicles the tumultuous life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, has officially been renewed for its third and final season, much to the delight of fans worldwide.
On January 27, 2025, Netflix confirmed the news, highlighting the remarkable success of the series. The first season won the International Emmy® for Best Drama Series and consistently ranked high as one of Netflix's top non-English shows. Season 2 alone reached the top 10 lists of 84 countries, even ascending to the number one spot in ten of those markets. Such widespread acclaim has established 'The Empress' as one of Netflix's most successful titles.
Showrunner Katharina Eyssen expressed her gratitude for the audience's overwhelming response, stating, "It sometimes leaves me speechless to see how many people we have been able to reach and touch all over the world with The Empress. To be able to continue and conclude this story together with our team and the unique ensemble cast is nothing less than a gift." This sentiment was echoed by Katja Hofem, Netflix's Vice President Content DACH, who emphasized the joy of continuing such a meaningful story. "The audience has followed Empress Elisabeth's life through happy, exciting, and dramatic times...,” she remarked.
Steering the creative direction for the upcoming season are returning fan favorites Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant along with producer Jochen Laube from Sommerhaus Serien GmbH, who is equally thrilled about the new season. Laube shared, “We owe this to the outstanding work of hundreds of passionate people in all trades. It is a great privilege to be able to go... with the commitment and quality of such a great team.”
While 'The Empress' gears up for its next chapter, Netflix is also focusing on boosting its presence and storytelling capacity across Africa. Effective February 2025, Kaye-Ann Williams will step in as the new director of scripted content for Netflix Africa. This role is pivotal as the streaming giant seeks to expand its footprint and nurture local storytelling.
Williams brings considerable industry experience to her new position, having recently served as vice president of content at Primedia Studios and previously leading scripted series at Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video for South Africa. Her extensive background positions her well to spearhead Netflix’s efforts to deliver original stories emanated from diverse African voices. Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s vice president for Middle East & Africa content, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Kaye-Ann is a true champion of world-class storytelling. I look forward to collaborating with her to... deliver captivating stories from Africa and nurture our local creative partnerships.”
Alongside these promising developments, Netflix is also experiencing turbulence within its production team. Notably, director Lee Byeong-heon has stepped down from the anticipated Netflix series 'All The Love You Wish For,' penned by famed screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, known for her work on critically acclaimed series like 'The Glory.' The announcement came on January 27, with Netflix citing personal reasons for Lee's departure. They were unable to specify details but reassured fans and stakeholders, saying, "The remaining work is being continued by the production company's professional staff.”
Despite this setback, the creative team remains committed to the project, which revolves around the adventures of Genie of the Lamp, played by Kim Woo-bin. The series began filming last year and continues to generate buzz. The future release date for 'All The Love You Wish For' remains unannounced, generating anticipation among fans.
With 'The Empress' season three to look forward to and new leadership within Netflix's African sector, the company is poised for exciting collaborations and stories sure to engage its global audience. These updates reflect Netflix's commitment to both continued success and the exploration of diverse narratives, highlighting not only historical tales but also fresh, localized content from around the world.