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?
What a excellent series. I have enjoyed every episode from start to finish In every series
Devastated that it’s ending yet again pay tv licence for more rubbish tv.
I agree with previous comments. The sets etc are visually stunning and the acting is superb. My particular favourite is Phillips Louis brother. Not seen him in anything before. I will miss this show. Derek
I can not believe this wonderful historical drama is being cancelled . There is so much more to tell about this superb era . The acting and costumes and setting are second to none . I thing they should reconsider this descsion and make lots of people happy in these sad days . When you have a winning formula you don’t discard it and leave it in mid air . Please think again and give us all our hearts desire ❤️
I have watched this series from the start and enjoyed every minute. Great acting and beautiful and stunning history. So so sad they are stopping this, not seen a historical series as good as this ever. I look forward to this every year and now it will no longer be on and do much more history to tell. I hope one day soon they will think again and bring it back….
Love love this programme
Look forward every Monday
To watching devastated
When it finishes not historically accurate who cares!
I would very much like to see more of Versailles because I feel the characters have more to say. As a viewer, I feel I’m being cheated out of the whole story; Louis, the Sun King ruled for a long time, surely there’s more to tell than can be told in three seasons!
I am so sad that this will be the last series of Versailles, George Blagden’s portrayal of Louis XIV has made me want to know more and more about Louis XIV. The costumes are out of this world. I have found it fascinating learning so much about that period of French history.
Trust the prudish English to want a series banned for a true portrayal of life in a French court at that time. I personally think George Blagden should get a Bafta for his acting, he has got stronger and stronger in each series. Versailles will be missed.
This series with out doubt the best in British television .. Netflix get on to this and continue this drama .. the acting scenery and costumes are outstanding..come in there’s millions of disappointed fans out here
I am so disappointed. Once again the TV industry gets it wrong… Cheap rubbish abounds on our airwaves, when intelligent thought provoking and sumptuously visual dramas like this get axed. Come on Netflix, do your duty and pick up this fantastic drama. I was hoping to see just how far Louis would go as a self decreed God and possibly descending into meglomania, or would Phillipe keep his feet on the ground. As he lived to the ripe old age of 76, I am pretty sure there is plenty of material to keep the series going. I have now become… Read more »
I am beyond disappointed. I love period dramas. First Reign now Versailles.
Well, that sucks. One of the very few intelligent shows on air. Yet, I hear that Keeping up with the Kardashians is going strong….
Emily, I couldn’t have left a better comment myself. Thank you! . I’m disappointed Season 3 is the end.
I just recently found Versailles on Netflix and binge watched both seasons. Can’t wait for 3 but now so bummed it is ending. Agree with other post that it is like watching a movie. Great show, actors, costumes and sets!!
Love this series. Please bring it back.
sorry to see the show end but then like Reign you can only go so far. i would like to know what kind of bug was in the queen’s ear that killed her!!
Please dont take this show, I love this show I know my voice don’t matter. This such a good show the cast are amazing. Please some body pick this show up.
Best Television production ever! Each time it was like going to a movie. Even though it’s the last season, I’m sure you won’t disappoint. Thank you so much! No other in history could hold a candle to Louis XIV!