You've probably seen the clips on TikTok. Or maybe a friend wouldn't stop raving about the jaw-dropping costumes and that intense, simmering chemistry between a rebellious princess and a stoic Emperor. It's the kind of show that makes you want to drop everything and binge-book a flight to Vienna. But before you start searching every random streaming site you've ever heard of, let’s get straight to the point. Finding where to watch The Empress is actually incredibly simple, yet it trips people up because there are so many shows with similar names.
The short answer? Netflix.
That’s it. It’s a Netflix Original. You won't find it on Hulu, and don't bother checking HBO Max (or Max, whatever they're calling it this week). If you’re looking for the 2022 breakout German series Die Kaiserin, Netflix holds the keys to the kingdom.
The Confusion Around Where to Watch The Empress
Honestly, the biggest headache with finding this show is the title. "The Empress" is a pretty generic name for a historical drama, right? If you search for it without being specific, you might accidentally end up watching a documentary about Catherine the Great or a C-drama from ten years ago.
There are actually several productions floating around. You have the 2014 Chinese series The Empress of China. Then there’s the 2005 British miniseries. But the one everyone is talking about—the one with Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant—is the German-language production that reimagines the early life of Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, better known as "Sisi."
Because it's a Netflix Original, they keep a tight grip on it. You aren't going to see it licensed out to Amazon Prime Video for "free with ads" anytime soon. This isn't like Suits or The Office where it hops from platform to platform depending on who paid the most this month. It lives in the Netflix ecosystem. Period.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Sisi Right Now
It’s not just the dresses. Though, let’s be real, the dresses are insane.
People are flocking to find where to watch The Empress because it scratches a very specific itch. It’s Bridgerton meets The Crown, but with a much darker, more European sensibility. It deals with the claustrophobia of court life. Imagine being a teenager and suddenly being thrust into the most rigid, traditionalist court in Europe. You’re expected to produce heirs, keep your mouth shut, and follow protocols that haven't changed in three hundred years.
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Elisabeth (Sisi) was a bit of a weirdo for her time. She loved poetry, she rode horses like a maniac, and she hated the "Spanish Court Ceremonial" that governed her life. The show captures that tension perfectly. It isn't just a romance; it’s a political thriller. You have the Emperor’s brother, Maximilian, constantly lurking in the shadows, trying to figure out if he should steal the throne or the girl. Maybe both.
Does it matter if I don't speak German?
Not at all. Netflix has invested heavily in the dubbing and subtitling for this. You can watch it with the original German audio (which I highly recommend for the vibes) and English subtitles, or you can use the English dub.
The dubbing is actually decent. Usually, I hate dubs because the mouths never line up and the emotional weight gets lost in translation. But for The Empress, the voice actors they chose actually sound like they’re in the room. That said, if you want the full "Imperial Austria" experience, go with the subtitles. Hearing the sharp, formal German contrast with Sisi’s more fluid, relaxed way of speaking adds a layer of character depth you just don't get otherwise.
Subscription Tiers and Accessibility
Since you know where to watch The Empress, the next question is usually about the cost. Netflix has changed their pricing more times than I can count lately.
Currently, you have a few options:
- Standard with ads: This is the cheapest way. You'll have to sit through a few commercials, but the show is there in its entirety.
- Standard: No ads, 1080p. Great for most people.
- Premium: This is the 4K HDR stuff. If you have a massive OLED TV and want to see every single gold thread in the Emperor's uniform, this is the one you want.
One thing to keep in mind: Netflix is getting really aggressive about password sharing. If you were planning on "borrowing" a login from your cousin to watch this, you might run into a "household" error. It’s annoying, but it’s the world we live in now.
Is There a Season 2?
Yes.
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The first season dropped in September 2022 and became an instant global hit. It stayed in the Top 10 for weeks. Netflix officially renewed it shortly after. If you’ve already binged the first six episodes and are wondering why the story feels so unfinished—it’s because it is. The first season only covers the very beginning of her time in Vienna.
The real Sisi lived an incredibly long and, frankly, tragic life. There is enough material there for five or six seasons if they wanted to keep going. They haven't even touched the Hungarian coronation or her later years of wandering Europe in mourning.
Technical Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re sitting down to watch this, do yourself a favor and check your settings.
- Turn off Motion Smoothing. You know that "soap opera effect" where everything looks a little too real and cheap? Turn it off in your TV settings. A show this beautiful deserves to look like a movie.
- HDR is your friend. If your TV supports Dolby Vision or HDR10, The Empress looks stunning in those formats. The lighting in the Hofburg Palace scenes is specifically designed to pop with high dynamic range.
- Check the Audio Output. If you have a soundbar or a surround system, make sure you're getting the 5.1 mix. The score is orchestral and sweeping; it really fills the room.
Historical Context vs. Fiction
Don't go into this expecting a history textbook.
Showrunner Katharina Eyssen has been pretty open about the fact that they took liberties. For example, the relationship between Franz and his brother Maximilian is dialed up for drama. In real life, they had their issues, but the "will-they-won't-they" triangle with Sisi is mostly a TV invention.
However, the core of Sisi’s personality—her obsession with her hair (which took three hours a day to style), her fitness regime, and her struggle with mental health—is all very real. She was essentially the first modern celebrity, and the show handles that pressure well. Knowing the history actually makes watching it more interesting because you start to see the "Easter eggs" the writers dropped in.
Common Misconceptions About Streaming The Empress
I see people asking if they can buy the series on Blu-ray or DVD. Honestly? Good luck.
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Physical media for streaming originals is becoming incredibly rare. Unless you're a show like Stranger Things, it’s unlikely to get a wide physical release. If you want to see it, you have to play by Netflix's rules.
Also, it isn't on "free" sites like Tubi or Pluto TV. If you see a site claiming you can watch The Empress for free without a subscription, be very careful. Those sites are usually a graveyard of malware and pop-up ads for "hot singles in your area." It’s not worth risking your laptop for.
What to watch after you finish
Once you've exhausted the episodes on Netflix, you might still have that royal itch.
- Corsage (2022): This is a film starring Vicky Krieps as an older Sisi. It's much more experimental and "indie," but it's a great companion piece.
- Sisi (2021): This is a different series entirely, produced by RTL. It’s a bit more "steamy" and soap-opera-ish than the Netflix version. In the US, this has bounced around various platforms like PBS Masterpiece or Walter Presents.
- The Great: If you liked the "royal girl hates the court" vibe but want more comedy, this is on Hulu.
Actionable Steps to Get Started
If you’re ready to dive in, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Verify your Netflix region. The Empress is available globally, so you shouldn't need a VPN unless you are in a country where Netflix is outright banned.
- Search "The Empress" specifically. Look for the thumbnail with the girl in the white dress and the guy in the blue military jacket.
- Adjust your audio language. Toggle between German (original) and English to see which you prefer. Do this in the first five minutes so you don't have to restart.
- Download for travel. If you have a long flight, Netflix allows you to download the episodes to your phone or tablet. This is a perfect "plane binge" show because the episodes are roughly an hour long.
- Check your data. If you're streaming in 4K, it eats up data fast. Make sure you're on Wi-Fi if you have a capped data plan.
There is no mystery left. You know exactly where to watch The Empress. It's one of those rare shows that actually lives up to the hype, blending historical weight with the kind of drama that makes you click "Next Episode" at 2 AM even though you have work the next morning.
Go to the Netflix search bar. Type it in. Start with episode one, "One's Vocation." Clear your schedule for the next six hours. You’re going to need it.