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?
I love watching Versailes!!! It is so much fun to watch. Everything about the show is done so well. It is a show that you hate to see it end when the hour is over. I know there will be a season 3 but I am really hoping the show will continue beyond that. These days it gets harder and harder to find something to watch that is really fun. Can’t wait for season 3.
You read my mind word for word
I LOVE THIS SHOW WITH ALL MY BEING!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE RECONSIDER !! I’M ALWAYS EXCITED AND ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT! WAITING FOR THE NEXT SATURDAY TO COME!! HOPEFULLY SOME OTHER TV STATION TO PICK IT UP, PLEASE. I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH THE SHOW VERSAILLES AND ALL THE WONDERFUL ACTORS & ACTRESSES. I AM VERY UPSET THIS IS ENDING. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!
I just binge watched this show in 3 days! Love it. Sad it ends after this next season but will look longingly to the prospect of a continuing of the story at a future date.
Why would they end it at such an awkward time in his reign. This is devastating, I do not really watch TV but this show is addicting! The cast is so Adorable ❤️❤️❤️
So sad! I can’t believe this!
I love Versailles and all the acting, especially the main cast, and costumes and sets and history. The attention to detail is wonderful, even if they did play with some of historical facts and invent some characters. The essence of the time was perfect. But that said, I totally understand the show’s creators determination to stick to their original plan. If they were to extend the series to the end of Louis’ reign, it would at least be anticlimactic. Better to end it on a high note. However, it would be awesome if they could create a spinoff series, preferably… Read more »
Please don’t cancel the series – I have watched season 1 and 2 over and over – the story and acting are superb! Eagerly awaiting season 3 – but please, please, make a season 4! It’s too good to give up. My friends are just now starting to watch as it hasn’t been to well known in the states. Everyone I’ve told about it loves it!
I love this show and am disappointed that this year will be the last. The sow is very entertaining and well acted. Kudos to the actors, actresses, producers and all who worked hard in making the show a success
Very sorry to hear that this will be the last series of Versailles. It is entertaining, well-acted and will be missed greatly.
I’m really sad that there will be no season four. I love period shows and this is one of the best!
This show needs at least a 4th season. It’s favorite show that I look forward to every year. This can’t be the end. At least, take us through the entirety of his life up until his death. Then, make another series about the next generation of King Louis and Marie Antoinette.
Please, don’t end the series. This is one of the best shows on tv. I love the characters, the scenes and just the splendor of it. I wait for the return of it every season.
Sad day! Love the show…
Wow what a stupid move to end the show. It is one of the best out there. Great characters, story lines, this is devastating news.
I really enjoyed season one and two, can’t wait for season three. I’m very sad to hear there’s going to be no more Versailles. Love it, love it, love it.