"Sisi" - What viewers need to know about season three
A reunion with "Sisi" is on the cards: RTL+ will be showing the new episodes of the third season from Friday, December 1 (later also on RTL). Who will be in the series this time and what will happen next for Sisi and Franz?
A look back
Ever since the "Sissi" films by Ernst Marischka (1893-1963) from the 1950s, the story of Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria, who as a carefree teenager falls head over heels in love with Franz Joseph I (1830-1916), Emperor of Austria, has been known worldwide. Not only the Netflix series "The Empress", but also the RTL+ series "Sisi" recently revisited the story in order to revisit the events.
"I found the reinterpretation of our series incredibly exciting," explained Franz actor Jannik Schümann (31) in an interview with spot on news in 2021. "I wanted to show a different side to Franz - a character that everyone knows and might see on TV at Christmas." Sisi actress Dominique Devenport (born 1996) added: "The new thing about 'Sisi' is that we make her human in the first place. When it comes to Sisi, people are mainly familiar with the paintings of the great Empress Elisabeth or the fairy-like and always cheerful woman from the Marischka films. We show the characters as multi-layered people with interests, strengths and also weaknesses."
The series celebrated its world premiere in October 2021. Season one was shown in December 2021 and season two in December 2022. In the first episodes, Sisi falls in love with Franz Joseph I and the two marry. In the difficult early days at court, she has to assert herself as a strong empress. In season two, Sisi feels more trapped than ever in a gilded cage. The birth of their son was supposed to make the imperial couple's happiness perfect. Instead, it is the impetus for power struggles in Europe.
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In the new episodes of the third season, the situation remains unsettled. The proclamation of the Republic and the overthrow of Napoleon III lead to unrest in Vienna, which is why Franz decides to press ahead with his son Rudolf's military training. Sisi wants to protect her sensitive son and leaves the court with him. Photographer Alma helps them on their escape and takes them to the south of France.
Meanwhile, Franz, who is fighting against an alliance between the German Empire and Russia, learns of their whereabouts from a spy and travels to France to join Sisi and Rudolf. He takes his son back to court with him and Sisi also returns after Franz has taken Rudolf out of the army. But the next disaster looms: Sisi learns that her son has been kidnapped by a laborer who demands the emperor's life in return for the boy's release. Will the imperial couple be able to save their son?
The new additions
The third season has some new additions to the cast due to the new storyline. In addition to child actor Arian Wegener as Crown Prince Rudolf, the "Sisi" ensemble also includes Pauline Werner (born 1996) and Max Hubacher (30), who play the crook couple Walli and Gustav. Werner was seen in the ZDF feature film series "Nächste Ausfahrt Glück", Hubacher appeared in the films "Der Hauptmann" and "Sachertorte". Deniz Orta (born 1991) plays Sisi's companion Alma, she has played roles in "Tatort" films and the crime series "Ein Fall für zwei".
Jakob Geßner (born 1988) will be seen as Albert, leader of the labor movement. His previous TV appearances include series such as "Um Himmels Willen" and "Die Chefin". Daniel Friedrich (born 1949) plays Archduke Franz Karl, Franz's father. The actor is best known for his role as Tobias Sandmann in the series "Aus heiterem Himmel".
The returnees
But there will also be a reunion with the previous stars of the series: Désirée Nosbusch (58) will be seen as Archduchess Sophie, Tanja Schleiff (born 1973) will once again portray Countess Esterhazy and David Korbmann (born 1986) will return as Count Grünne, as will Marcus Grüsser (57) as Duke Max in Bavaria, Bernd Hölscher (born 1971) as Otto von Bismarck, Marie Sophie von Reibnitz (born 1993) as Eugénie and Boris Aljinovic (56) as Napoleon III.
The filming
Filming of the six-part season of the RTL+ event series took place from April to August 2023 in Croatia, Riga, Vilnius and the surrounding area. They were produced by Jens Freels and Andreas Gutzeit, who is also responsible as showrunner. The scripts were written by Elena Hell and Robert Krause. The director was Andy Fetscher (43, "Tatort - Fürchte dich").
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- The new episodes of "Sisi" in its third season will air on RTL+ and RTL from December 1, featuring the characters Sisi and Franz Joseph I from Bavaria.
- Jannik Schümann, who plays Franz in the series, expressed excitement about portraying a different side of the character for viewers watching at Christmas.
- Dominique Devenport, the actress playing Sisi, mentioned that the new season aims to humanize the characters, showing their strengths, weaknesses, and interests beyond the typical depictions.
- Napoleon III plays a significant role in the new season, as his overthrow leads to unrest in Vienna and prompts Franz to intensify his son's military training.
- Désirée Nosbusch, Tanja Schleiff, David Korbmann, Marcus Grüsser, Bernd Hölscher, Marie Sophie von Reibnitz, and Boris Aljinovic are among the returnees to the "Sisi" cast, while Arian Wegener, Pauline Werner, Max Hubacher, and Deniz Orta are joining the ensemble as new additions.
- The third season was filmed in Croatia, Riga, Vilnius, and the surrounding areas, with Andy Fetscher directing the six-part season.
- While "Sisi" primarily explores the lives of Sisi and Franz, the new season explores Austria's political landscape during Napoleon's reign and the events following his overthrow.
- Fans of historical dramas who enjoy shows like "The Empress" on Netflix will appreciate the new additions to the "Sisi" series, which delve deeper into the political and personal struggles of the imperial couple during a tumultuous time in European history.
Source: www.stern.de
