Archduchess Sophie

 is a character on The Empress. She is portrayed by Melika Foroutan.

Biography
Sophie is the mother of Emperor Franz Joseph and Archduke Maximilian.

Sophie had a daughter named Anna. She had seizures, and was diagnosed with a rare nerve disease. Doctors attempted to treat Anna by drawing blood from her arm and putting leeches on her head. Anna screamed in pain, and Sophie could not take it, so she sent the doctors away. Anna died 4 days later. As a result, Sophie learned to be strong and that compassion is not always the right choice.

Throughout The Empress
Sophie and her son, Emperor Franz Joseph, oversaw the execution of 3 revolutionists. Sophie insisted that Franz show his face, and not save any of the men. Franz is visibly upset during the execution and deliberately hurt his hand with a cross. During a meal, Franz disagreed with his mother over the execution of revolutionists. Theo came in the room, bringing a taxidermy bear from the tsar of Russia, and a letter inviting Austria to join Russia's war against the Ottoman Empire. Sophie believed that it was the right time to join the war, but Franz did not want to enter a war.

Sophie arranged for Franz to marry Duchess Helene, as it would legitimise the Austrian Empire's claim over Bavaria.

Helene, her mother Princess Ludovika, and her sister Elisabeth travelled to Bad Ischl to meet Emperor Franz Joseph on his birthday. While Helene's family were at Bad Ischl, Franz met Helene's younger sister, Elisabeth, and fell in love with her. She reminded of what he was like before he became Emperor. He proclaimed his intention to marry Elisabeth, to the surprise of everyone.

Elisabeth, Helene, Ludovika and Maximilian arrived at Schönbrunn Palace, where they were greeted by Franz and Sophie.

When Esterházy and Sophie brought Elisabeth to a room filled with dresses and showed her the latest fashions, Luzi was seen hiding under one of the dresses. Sophie then gifted Elisabeth a necklace that has been in the family for generations. While looking at Elisabeth wearing the necklace, Sophie had a flashback to a time she played with a little girl, who called her "Mama."

At a meeting, Franz heard news of wars in other countries. Buol, foreign minister, advised Franz to join the war, however, Bach, interior minister, advocated for peace. Buol mocked Bach for his views and urged Franz to pick a side. His mother, Sophie, wanted Franz to side with the Russians and join their war against the Ottoman Empire. However, his brother, Maximilian wanted Franz to side with the West. Franz decided that the Austria would not go to war, disappointing his family and most of his advisors.

At a party, Elisabeth met Archbishop Rauscher, the archbishop who presided over her chastity test. She had a disagreement with him over the test, so Sophie and Franz told Elisabeth to go rest for the evening.

Baron von Kempen informed Sophie of the growing restlessness in the city. Liberal propaganda was gaining strength and being circulated virulently. Sophie asked Kempen to make as many arrests as he wanted.

Sophie secretly met with Prince Vasa, a man who she had a relationship with 13 years ago. They kissed and professed their love for each other. Sophie wanted to show the prince their son, implying that Prince Vasa is the biological father of Emperor Franz Joseph, but the Prince of Vasa asked her to run away with him instead. However, Sophie was reluctant as she could not leave the palace. Vasa told Sophie that her true love was with the palace, but there could only be one Empress.

Elisabeth watched as Franz and Helen chatted on the dance floor. Sophie saw Elisabeth feeling uncomfortable and advised Elisabeth to trust carefully and pose her faith only in those whom her instincts tell her to. She told Elisabeth that she could wed Helene off to one of the fine men in Bohemia. Elisbeth agreed.

That night, Sophie lay in bed, concerned that her time at the palace was over. Esterházy attempted to lay down next to her, but was stopped by Sophie. Esterházy appeared disappointed, and it is implied that they have previously had relations.

Esterházy told Sophie that Elisabeth may be pregnant, as she had not bled in a month. Sophie insisted that hope must become reality. Esterházy followed Sophie's instructions and forced Elisabeth to eat raw eggs and the placenta of a woman who just gave birth to her 8th son.

After Maximilian's betrayal of Franz, Napoleon severed diplomatic relations with Austria. The royal council were concerned and Sophie implored Franz to reinforce their troops. Believing that the tsar of Russia's son, Alexander, had views on war more like himself, Franz decided to invite him over to Austria to wager peace. Sophie said that there was not enough time to organise a grand reception, so Elisabeth suggested a hunting trip instead, which Franz agreed to.

The hunt ended badly, after Elisabeth accidentally offended Alexander, who argued with Franz. Instead of wagering peace, Franz and Alexander agreed to meet on the battlefield. Sophie reminded Elisabeth that Elisabeth did not know what she was doing when it came to politics.

After the incident at the foundry, Elisabeth was carried into her bedroom. Both Sophie and Esterházy blamed Elisabeth for the chaos as she did not follow instructions. Later, Sophie warned Esterházy that there would be consequences for her if Elisabeth stepped out of line or failed to fall pregnant again.

Since the incident at the iron foundry, Elisabeth felt unwanted and her relationship with the emperor became distant. She spent most of her nights partying with Maximilian and would turn up drunk for breakfast. In an effort to make the relationship better, Franz gifted Elisabeth a horse.

There was growing anger among the public and people began gathering outside the palace gates. Archduchess Sophie asked Franz to keep Elisabeth in line. Sophie had palace guards block Elisabeth from leaving the palace courtyard. While sitting in church, Sophie asked Elisabeth what the most valuable virtue in a ruler was, and Elisabeth replied "compassion". Sophie told Elisabeth the story of her daughter Anna, who had a rare nerve disease. Doctors attempted to treat Anna by drawing blood from her arm and putting leeches on her head. Anna screamed in pain, and Sophie could not take it, so she sent the doctors away. Anna died 4 days later. As a result, Sophie learned to be strong and that compassion is not always the right choice.

Sophie felt that Elisabeth was distracting Franz and gave her two choices: to return to Bavaria and let Franz remarry or to stay at the palace but face even stricter rules.

Due to Esterházy's inability to keep Elisabeth in line, Esterházy was demoted from Chief Court Mistress. Her role was given to Margarete. If Elisabeth decided to stay, Esterházy's only role would to be to watch over Elisabeth. If Elisabeth returned to Bavaria, Esterházy would be sent away. Esterházy knelt on the ground and begged Sophie to change her mind, but Sophie coldly told Esterházy to stop making a fool of herself. Elisabeth ultimately decided to leave the palace.

Maximilian received news that the Russian borders might be retreating, which meant that Franz's strategy might have worked. Pressured that the window of opportunity to overthrow Franz was closing, Maxi went to Sophie to bring her to his side. However, Sophie instead said that she was surrounded by weak men, and that none of her sons were fit to rule.

When Elisabeth was at the gate, but the police officers wouldn't let Elisabeth go due to the protestors outside the palace gates. Nevertheless, Elisabeth demanded that they open the gates. She talked to the people and embraced them. She told them of her pregnancy. This news reached Sophie who was watching by the window. She claimed that it was great news.

Appearances

 * Season One


 * One's Place in the World
 * The Arrival
 * The Wedding
 * The Hunt
 * The Shoes
 * The God Who Us Has Freedom Sent

Quotes
"They must see your face. There are moments when a ruler shows strength."

- Sophie talks to Franz

"There are things even we can't change. The people's rage. It is like an illness. An ulcer. And ulcers must be cauterised."

- Sophie justifying the execution of revolutionists

"If something won't bend, it must be broken."

- Sophie telling Margarete she is not concerned

"There is no such thing as surprises, just poor planning."

- Sophie talking to a servant

"Stability, security, and order are what we need now. When chaos reigns, we impose our control. We don't pacify! Tell me that you are with me, Franz."

- Sophie speaks to Franz

"You married a spoiled child, and that weakens you as Emperor. You need to command some respect. Something has to change, Franz, and you know it. If you don't do it, I will."

- Sophie speaks to Franz

"I've spent my life in the shadow of weak men. And you, Maximilian, are one. Not one of my sons is fit for the throne. Including you."

- Sophie does not support Maximilian's plan to overthrow Franz

Trivia

 * Sophie is not afraid to her use power to have the people she dislikes hanged.
 * In The Arrival, when Prince von Vasa made a comment about not discarding old things as hastily as her, Sophie told him that the last person who spoke to her like that was hanged.
 * In The Wedding, she told interior minister, Alexander von Bach, that if the empire crumbled, she would hang him first.