Royal dynasties are always successful on Netflix. After The Last Czars and The Crown, the streaming platform is moving on to the most popular Empress in the world: Sissi. Named The Empress - in the original German, Die Kaiserin -, the show will have six episodes of 45 minutes. A short series that will follow the first few months of Sissi in Vienna.
Who will play Sissi?
Romy Schneider in the most iconic role of her career is certainly a tough act to follow. For the legendary empress, Netflix has chosen a relatively unknown actress: Dominique Devenport. The Swiss-American and was spotted in the film Night Train to Lisbon with Jeremy Irons. She will play the tomboy princess who falls in love with Franz Joseph but finds the Habsburg court in Vienna to be toxic and full of vipers. Dominique Devenport is full of admiration for her role. "When I think of Sisi, the first thing that comes to my mind is a statue enthroned above everybody and wreathed in myths," said Devenport in a statement. "I am very thankful that I am the new Sisi and able to show what kind of person she was: a young lady with big dreams, strong emotions, and ready to fight for her vision." German actor Jannik Schümann will play the Emperor, Franz.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Sissi and politics
The fan of Ernst Marischka ‘s trilogy could be surprised by this new adaptation of the young Duchess. Along with her love story with Emperor Franz and her war against her step-mother, screenwriter Katharina Eyssen promised to include more political subjects as well. As a young woman, Sissi has often opposed her husband’s family's severe politics. Smart, feminist and adventurous, Sissi will be different than the iconic role played by Romy Schneider. The show will also touch on the crises at the beginning of her reign, such as the crisis in Crimea, the Austrian occupation of Northern Italy and the war with Prussia. "Sisi is a timeless story, a young liberal woman fighting for independence in a rather hostile environment," said Beta Film’s managing director Moritz von Kruedener. "It seems that history repeats itself. Today she might be interviewed by Oprah Winfrey." According to German media, filming should start in Germany in the coming months.
Also on Vogue.fr:
Romy Schneider in 10 classic films
The couple Romy Schneider and Alain Delon in 16 pictures
Translated by Maria Atallah
