The German Netflix production “The Empress” has won the International Emmy for best drama series. The modern film adaptation about Austria’s favorite monarch Sisi beat out productions from South Korea, Argentina and Great Britain in New York on Tuesday night.
The International Emmys are the global offshoot and little sister of the main Emmy ceremony on January 15th, which is considered the most important TV and streaming award worldwide.
After the victory, the team around author Katharina Eyssen and producer Jochen Laube cheered exuberantly for minutes in front of the worldwide press. “It’s surreal,” Eyssen told the German Press Agency, saying she couldn’t believe the success. She believes that the emotions and dynamics of the family history of “The Empress” fascinated the viewers and the jury. “The depth of the characters convinced people,” Eyssen said of the feedback on the series. “This story is not about a princess who marries a king. It is about a rebellious young woman,” Eyssen said in her acceptance speech on stage.
“We are incredibly honored,” said producer Jochen Laube after the award. The team implemented the material from the heart and is now happy about its great success, especially in view of the “smart, friendly and extremely eloquent competition.” According to him, more than 100 million people worldwide have seen at least parts of the series.
The three other German nominees, however, came away empty-handed. “Nazi Hunter – Journey into Darkness” had to admit defeat to the documentary “Mariupol: The People’s Story” about the fate of the war victims in Ukraine. “Classical Music under the Swastika – The Maestro and the Cellist of Auschwitz” lost out as the best cultural program to a Canadian documentary about actress and singer Buffy Sainte-Marie. “Meet… Anne Frank” could not prevail as the best factual program for children against the nature series “Built to Survive”.