Netflix’s historical drama The Empress, which dramatizes the life of Elisabeth of Austria, has begun filming its third season in Prague as of early this month. The series, one of the streamer’s most successful European productions, is now shooting at Barrandov Studio, and is one of three major historical projects filming in the Czech capital this fall.
Season 3 of The Empress will also be its last. Netflix confirmed earlier this year that the series, which has become one of the platform’s most watched non-English dramas, will conclude with the upcoming season. The historical romance has followed the young Bavarian duchess Elisabeth as she marries Emperor Franz Joseph and navigates the political and personal struggles of the Habsburg court.
The production brings the story back to Czechia, where the second season filmed location sequences in Prague’s historic center. For its final installment, the production is again drawing on the city’s combination of studio facilities and period architecture, which has long made it a hub for international period dramas.
Final season concludes Netflix’s historical hit
Season 3 of The Empress will serve as the conclusion to the series, which debuted in 2022 and quickly became one of Netflix’s top-performing European originals. Season 1 won the International Emmy for Best Drama Series and remained in Netflix’s global Top 10 for five consecutive weeks. Season 2 expanded its reach, breaking into the Top 10 in 84 countries and ranking first in 10.
Devrim Lingnau returns in the lead role of Elisabeth, with Philip Froissant reprising his role as Emperor Franz Joseph. Cast members Melika Foroutan and Johannes Nussbaum are also confirmed to return. Showrunner Katharina Eyssen continues to lead the creative team, joined by executive producers Robert Eyssen, Jochen Laube, Fabian Maubach, and Scarlett Lacey. Production is handled by Sommerhaus Serien GmbH in collaboration with Netflix’s DACH division.
While Netflix has not announced a release date, the final season is expected to premiere in 2026. Story details remain under wraps, but given the show’s trajectory, the final chapters are likely to depict further strains on Elisabeth and Franz’s marriage and the political pressures facing the empire.
Prague returns as backdrop for Netflix period drama
Prague has become a familiar production site for The Empress. During season 2, the show filmed at landmarks including the Royal Route through Malá Strana and Hradčanské náměstí by Prague Castle, locations chosen in part because the real Empress Elisabeth visited the city shortly after her marriage in 1854.
The choice of Prague reflects the city’s established reputation for period filmmaking. Barrandov’s studio facilities, combined with a wide range of preserved historic architecture, have supported international productions ranging from Interview with the Vampire to All Quiet on the Western Front. For The Empress, Prague offers a cost-effective stand-in for mid-19th century Vienna while also connecting to authentic settings tied to Elisabeth’s life.
Production in Prague typically involves Czech crews alongside international teams, contributing to the country’s thriving film industry. The Czech Republic’s film incentives program has also played a role in attracting recurring work from global streamers such as Netflix, which has shot high-profile projects in Prague such as The Gray Man and will also film The Age of Innocence in the Czech capital this fall.
For Prague, the production of The Empress represents another entry in its growing list of international streaming projects. As the series concludes, the city once again serves as a backdrop for the final stages of a drama that has reached millions of viewers worldwide, combining local film infrastructure with historical resonance to help bring one of Europe’s most enduring royal stories to screen.
