An award-winning period romance drama on Netflix is off to a strong start following the debut of season 2. The period romance subgenre is a key component of the streamer’s success, represented by the runaway popularity of Bridgerton. Despite the notable gaps between seasons, and the shifting central focus from one season to the next, Bridgerton season 3 reaffirmed the franchise’s passionate support as it dominated the streaming charts and broke records.

The success of Bridgerton, which has served as a launching pad for new stars, has led to the creation of a franchise with the Queen Charlotte prequel spinoff and the possibility of other series following that example. But it has also revived interest in corset dramas, with the Apple TV dramedy The Buccaneers standing out as an example. Another corset drama, though far more serious in its tone, is trending on Netflix.

The Empress Season 2 Is A Global Hit

It Comes In Third On A Busy Chart

With its arrival on Netflix on November 22, The Empress season 2 has debuted on the streamer’s global Top 10 chart for shows that are not in the English language. The period drama took the #3 spot on that chart for the week of November 18 through November 24. It’s an impressive accomplishment, considering that only two days of views are accounted for.

The Empress season 2 debuted with 24 million views and 5.5 million hours viewed. It came in ahead of Sisters’ Feud, Beyond Goodbye, Adoration, and When The Phone Rings, all of which are either in season 1 or listed as limited series. Overall, the chart was topped by French sports drama The Cage which has ranked for three straight weeks.

What’s The Empress About?

It Takes Inspiration From A Real Figure

Hailing from creator Katharina Eyssen, the German drama is based on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Devrim Lingnau stars in the main role, with Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph, and the story details how the Bavarian princess turned Austrian struggled to adjust to her life in the Habsburg royal court once she’d married The Emperor. The show’s first installment won the International Emmy Drama Series award in 2023, boosted by a strong Empress cast and generally positive reviews.

Although it’s too early to say with certainty, the performance of the Emmy winner just based on two days of data suggests that the drama could well dominate Netflix’s charts in the coming weeks and months. It is, in any case, an important component to consider with the possibility of The Empress season 3 remaining so far unconfirmed. It is also a reminder that a good chunk of Netflix’s successes come from outside of Hollywood.