'The Empress' creators announce new Netflix dark historical epic 'Witches'

The concluding season of Netflix‘s European royal series, The Empress, is arriving later this year.

Creators and showrunners of The Empress, Robert, and Katharina Eyssen, along with producer Sommerhaus and Netflix, are collaborating again on Witches (a working title). 

This dark historical drama explores the European witch hunts of the 17th century, with Scarlett Lacey, executive producer of The Empress, also joining the project.

The series is currently in development. We've learned it is set to be a "major" serialised historical drama, the most extensive series so far based on this period in European history.

Set in medieval Germany, Witches tells the tale of three sisters caught in the escalating terror of an often overlooked chapter of European history: The German witch hunts. 

The storyline focuses on a family torn apart by suspicion, accusations, and betrayal, highlighting a narrative of safeguarding loved ones amid fear and fanaticism — and of unyielding defiance in the face of one of Europe’s darkest eras.

Eva van Leeuwen, Netflix’s Head of Series for the DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) region, remarked: “We are thrilled to embark on another highly promising project with Katharina and Robert Eyssen and Sommerhaus. Our partnership has flourished over many years, and we’re eager to continue working with such outstanding creative partners on a story deeply embedded in German and European history.”

Jochen Laube and Fabian Maubach, producers at Sommerhaus, praised their collaboration with Netflix and the Eyssens, highlighting the 2019 miniseries Holiday Secrets and The Empress, which started streaming in 2022. 

“Each day, we realise what a privilege it is to have such a trusting and dependable partnership, and how invaluable our shared experiences truly are,” they added.

The Empress ranks among the most-watched European original series on Netflix. Created in Germany, the show follows the intense story of Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz in 19th century Austria, featuring Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant in leading roles.