Munich, 29 November 2024. Three things are a “must have” during the holiday season: Mariah Carey on the radio, real (or fake) snow, and the Austrian Empress Elisabeth on TV. The fourth season of Beta’s hit series Sisi (24x1h) brings back Dominique Devenport and Jannik Schümann one last time as the iconic Empress and Emperor Franz. The grand finale is ready in time for this year’s holiday season starting December 1 on RTL+ and December 8 on linear TV in Germany, as well as in numerous other territories later in December.

Already rocking the world on Netflix is The Empress, produced by Beta subsidiary Sommerhaus Serien, ranking in the Top 5 in Spain, Italy, France, the US, Germany and many more.

Since its first season, Sisi was the most watched series of every year on streaming service RTL+ in Germany and secured exceptional linear ratings in Germany, France, Austria, and the Netherlands, among others. Beta Film has sold the royal drama to more than 120 territories worldwide.

Sven Bohse (Dark Woods) returned to direct the final season, in which Sisi challenges the best jockey in Bavaria to a grand horse race to save the family’s estate, castle Possenhofen, after the death of her father. Back in her homeland, she comes across dark family secrets and ultimately must ask herself where she really feels at home.

The Austrian royal of the 19th century has become an international cult figure and holiday season staple, first brought to the screen in the 1950’s Sissi trilogy by Ernst Marischka, starring the legendary Romy Schneider.

Returning head writers Robert Krause and Elena Hell penned the scripts of the fourth season, Michael Schreitel served as DOP. Jan Freels and Andreas Gutzeit produced for Story House Pictures, Executive Producers for RTL are Sylke Poensgen and Head of Fiction Hauke Bartel. RTL’s editorial team consists of Greta Gilles and Julian Schmelcher. STORY HOUSE Pictures produced the fourth season of Sisi for RTL in collaboration with Beta Film.