The Remarried Empress

1. Synopsis

Empress Navier is taken aback by her husband's cruel demand for a divorce so he can wed his mistress, but she does not give up easily. Instead, she takes a risk and joins forces with an enigmatic Prince Heinrey from the Western Kingdom in an unlikely alliance. Navier will go to any lengths to regain her throne and outdo her ex-husband at every opportunity as she navigates the competitive realm of palace politics and romance.

2. Cast and characters

2.1. Main

• Shin Min-a as Navier^[1]

An intelligent and elegant Empress of the Eastern Empire, maintained a peaceful but loveless marriage with Emperor Sovieshu, her childhood friend.

• Ju Ji-hoon as Sovieshu^[1]

Empress Navier's ex-husband, who divorced her to marry Rashta, a former slave.

• Lee Jong-suk as Heinrey^[1]

A prince of the Western Kingdom, who can secretly transform into a bird, spies on the Eastern Empire's palace. While in his bird form, he encounters and falls in love with Empress Navier.

• Lee Se-young as Rashta^[1]

A runaway slave. She is Emperor Sovieshu's mistress and becomes his second wife and empress after he divorces Navier.

2.2. Supporting

• Lee Bong-ryun as Eliza^[6]

Navier's head lady-in-waiting.

• Choi Dae-hoon as McKenna^[6]

Heinrey’s secretary.

• Park Ho-san as Viscount Lotteshu^[6]

Rashta’s former owner.

• Jung Young-joo as Albani^[6]
• Nam Yoon-ho as Baron Lante^[6]

Sovieshu’s secretary.

• Lee Joon-hyuk as King Wotton III^[7]
• Kang Han-na as Christa^[7]

3. Production

3.1. Development

The series, which based on web novel of the same name by Alphatart, was officially commissioned by Disney+. Jo Soo-won serving as director, who helmed Pinocchio (2014), and the script is penned by Yeo Ji-na and Hyun Choong-yeol, who wrote The Uncanny Counter (2020), while Studio N managed the production.^[8]

In November 2025, it was reported that director Shim Na-yeon, known for Beyond Evil (2021) and The Good Bad Mother (2023), joined the production as a co-director alongside Jo Soo-won during the latter stage of filming.^[9]

A script reading took place on May 13, 2025.^[3]

3.2. Casting

In 2024, Lee Jong-suk and Shin Min-a were reportedly considering.^[10][11]

In April 2025, the casting of Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young as the leads was officially confirmed.^[1] In June, a script reading revealed that actors Lee Bong-ryun, Choi Dae-hoon, Park Ho-san, Jung Young-joo, and Nam Yoon-ho had joined the cast.^[6] Lee Joon-hyuk and Kang Han-na reportedly joined the cast in November.^[7]

3.3. Filming

Principal photography began in Prague in June, a month later than the initial plan of May 2025, and was slated to conclude in November.^[12][13][7]

4. Release

It is invited as one of three drama series in the On Screen section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, where three of ten episodes will be screened on October 9, 2026.^[14]

After its premiere on BIFF, first four episodes will be available to stream on Disney+ on November 4, with subsequent episodes available every Wednesday till the series finale on November 25.^[5]