The sun is setting on Versailles. Recently, Variety reported season three will be the last for the Canal+ and Ovation TV show.
The French historical drama is set during the reign of Louis XIV. The cast includes George Blagden, Alexander Vlahos, Catherine Walker, and Elisa Lasowski.
In an interview with Variety, Canal+ executive Fabrice de la Patelliere revealed why season three will be the end for Versailles:
From the start, “Versailles’” producer Claude Chelli had spoken to us about making three seasons. The series was meant to chronicle the coming of age and rise to power of Louis XIV and show how he built Versailles to corral his nobles, asserting his absolute power. At the end of the third season, Louis XIV has achieved absolute power, he’s 46 or 47 years old, so we reached the end of the narrative arc that we had envisioned for this series.”
Season three of Versailles is set to premiere in the U.S. on Ovation this fall. You can read more details below:
NATPE: January 16, 2017 Fresh off the success of its Season Two premiere, Ovation, America’s only arts network, has licensed Season 3 of the hit international series Versailles (10 x 60′) from Banijay Rights, the international distribution arm of Banijay Group. The new season will have its U.S. linear and digital premieres on Ovation TV, on VOD, and Ovation NOW in the fall 2018. The announcement was made today by Scott Woodward, EVP, Programming, Ovation.
Versailles season 3 is a CANAL+ Création Originale series, produced by Capa Drama, Banijay Studios France, Entre Chien et Loup. This landmark Anglo-French drama takes the period genre to new dimensions, focusing on the art and culture, greed and deception, sex and politics, and duplicity and murder that all collided in the court of Louis XIV. Since its debut on Ovation in the fall of 2016, the series has been a remarkable success for the network, both on air and across its social networks. Season Two, which concluded last month, exceeded the stellar ratings of Season One by +11% with adults 25-54, and +13% in total viewers. On social media, fan engagement continued to grow throughout the season, and doubled during the final episode. The Los Angeles Times named Versailles Season Two one of the Top Ten shows of 2017.
“Versailles has been a stunning success for Ovation since the Season One premiere,” said Woodward. “Season Two exceeded our expectations, surging past the network’s benchmarks for original premieres. Particularly thrilling for us was the marked uptick across all our social media platforms and interest in our original behind-the-scenes and documentary content about Versailles. It had the ‘tide raises all ships’ effect and we certainly are eager to ride the wave into 2018 with Season Three.”
At the end of the last season, we saw King Louis’ empire, as well as his sanity, dissolve into chaos. In Season Three, he resolves to regain control of his own life, his precious Versailles, and France itself. But rebellion is in the air and new challenges are brewing inside Versailles, as well as outside. Emboldened by his new favorite Madame de Maintenon, he won’t relent in his quest for absolute power, convinced of his own divine powers.
Season Three of Versailles is executive produced by Claude Chelli and Aude Albano and directed by Richard Clark, Edward Bazalgette, and Pieter Van Hees. George Blagden (Vikings) returns as Louis XIV, Alexander Vlahos (Merlin) as Prince Philippe, Catherine Walker as Madame de Maintenon and Elisa Lasowski as Queen Marie Thérese.”
What do you think? Have you seen Versailles? Are you sad the show is ending?
Noo don’t end this show I look forward to this progra. Its smart beautiful and full of interest. Do you think You can do better than this show Versailles ???
Think about that!!
It can’t end! Please, someone else pick it up!!!!!
Omg I love this show. I kept checkibg to see when season 3 was coming out. I cant believe this is the last season. Bitter sweet I admire them wanting to go out on top but wish they couldve made it longer.
Love this series! I’m watching it on Netflix. I’m sad it will end because it’s very engaging but it’s basically covering a lot of what went on during Louis the 14th ruling. There shouldnt be too much more to cover.
Say it isn’t true! I’m completely addicted to this series! I hope someone takes this show on and puts it on HBO! Come on you producers!
This is awful news. Versailles is an amazing show!! I am so disappointed. Please reconsider!!
Yes I will miss it. I have been to Versailles so love the gorgeous scenes of the palace and gardens. The costumes are beyond beautiful and prefer seeing them to the anorexic naked women. The behind the scenes plots are the best and I fact check a lot of episodes, like the black baby, which turns out is based on a black baby that was born to the queen or another high ranking woman of the court. Love when it’s accurate!
One of the few shows I look foward to. I have watched the series at least 2 complete times. Love all the actors.! Very sad that there will not be a season 4
I absolutely love this series! I am of French Canadian descent and am a direct descendant of one of the first settlers of Quebec which was known as New France! My ancestors all served the country of France and the Kings by being knights and also serving in Court! I love the history of my homelands! My ancestor was Jean Baptiste Cote and I am so proud to know our family history! Thank you Memere and Pepere for passing on your knowledge of our family history and our connections to France and King Louis the Fourteenth! I will miss this… Read more »
please consider a fourth season of this exciting show. three seaons aren’t nearly enough.
I agree! The Tudors took it to King Henrys death – 4 seasons. Can Canal do the same for the “Sun King?”
I love this show and yes…. I am sad it is ending.
My family as well as myself will truly miss Versailles. Please!!! Reconsider.
I will miss this show!!
Love the actors and show will miss
Love the series. Hate to see it end
On the matter of Versailles…you totally forgot to mention actor Tygh Runyan who was exceptional as Fabien Marchal.
Love the show and the actors and the characters.