Prime Video has announced a dark fantasy called Rise of the Empress, a TV adaptation of Julie C. Dao’s celebrated book series, according to Deadline exclusive. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, the eight-episode series is described as a “dark and mystical East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend,” blending intrigue, romance, and power struggles in a fantastical ancient empire.
The project brings together a powerhouse creative team, including writers and executive producers Crystal Liu and James Wong, executive producer Gemma Chan, and production partners JuVee Productions—helmed by Viola Davis and Julius Tennon—and Significant Productions, led by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi. Julie C. Dao herself will serve as a co-executive producer, ensuring the series remains true to the spirit of her books.
Set in a lavish yet fractured Asian empire, the story centers on Xifeng, a peasant girl who is thrust into a fierce competition for the Prince’s hand, orchestrated by a vengeful sorceress. As rivalries escalate, Xifeng’s actions could determine the fate of the entire empire. Filming for the series will take place in Malaysia, promising a visually stunning backdrop for this tale of ambition and resilience.
“This story, led by an incredible female heroine, is an inspiring tale of strength and resilience,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD TV development and series at Amazon MGM Studios. “Crystal, alongside the teams at JuVee and Significant, and Gemma, have done an amazing job capturing the magic created by Julie, and we are thrilled to welcome James to help bring this brilliant project to life in a way that will resonate with our global Prime Video customers.”
Crystal Liu expressed her enthusiasm for the adaptation, said, “I’m honored and so excited for this opportunity to bring Julie C. Dao’s extraordinary books to the screen — a sumptuous, spellbinding tale of intrigue, with a subversive heroine for the ages.” Viola Davis and her JuVee team added, “Julie C. Dao’s book series not only builds a fantastical world of opulence and mystery out of Asian history but centers a character that, in her defiance to be what she is expected to be, finds the strength that may give her the power to change the world.”
Rise of the Empress is based on Dao’s Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (2017) and Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix (2018), alongside its standalone companion Song of the Crimson Flower (2019). The series marks Prime Video’s latest foray into fantasy, joining titles like The Lord of the Rings, The Wheel of Time, and YA romance fare such as The Summer I Turned Pretty.
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