Much like its namesake, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, historical drama The Empress instantly captured hearts and minds across the world when it premiered in September. Now you’ll be able to enjoy even more of its palace intrigue, gorgeous costumes and sexy romance — the German-language series has officially been renewed for a second season. 

“I’m incredibly grateful that we were able to touch so many different people in Germany and all over the world with our series,” showrunner Katharina Eyssen told Netflix. “The story of Elisabeth’s life is a story of the power of love, but also of the courage to be different and of hope for a better future. And that’s what we need at this time. And that’s why we’re very happy to be able to continue telling this exciting story.”

Exciting is an understatement; Season 1 of The Empress ended on a major cliff-hanger. Rebellious Elisabeth (Devrim Lingnau) — known as Sisi — finds herself unwilling to conform to the rigid system that governs the royal Habsburg court. When her formidable mother-in-law, Sophia (Melika Foroutan), suggests she return to Bavaria and consider having her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph (Philip Froissant) annulled, Elisabeth agrees. She goes so far as to conceal her pregnancy from the man she loves. But as she exits the palace, she runs into an angry mob of protestors. Rather than retreat behind the gates like her husband, however, Elisabeth strides in among them, kneels and announces her pregnancy publicly. And then... the end. The series cuts to black, leaving you with, like, a million questions: How does the crowd react? Can Sisi still leave Franz? Does she even want to? 

Thankfully, you’ll soon get the answers you crave. All hail The Empress!

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