Netflix's Upcoming Swiss Period Drama 'Winter Palace' to Tell the Story of Winter Tourism In the Alps
Cyril Metzger Manon Clavel and Simon Ludders of "Winter Palace"
(Photo: Courtesy of RTS/Netflix)
Some of the best period dramas on Netflix can be found among the streamer's international offerings, from the German series The Empress and Italian romp The Law According to Lidia Poet to Spain's Cable Girls. But it sounds as though its next big international production will be a first --- a Swiss drama made in partnership with broadcaster RTS.
Described as a cross between Downton Abbey and The White Lotus, Winter Palace aims to tell the story of the birth of luxury winter tourism in the Alps, conceived by a Swiss hotelier and British aristocrat in the early twentieth century. The production is said to be particularly lavish, and will reportedly include 950 extras, 6,000 pieces of costume and a dozen horse-drawn carriages and sleighs.
The eight-part series, which will be in both French and English, follows the story of ambitious proprietor André Morel, who, in 1899, envisions a five-star luxury hotel that will remain open throughout winter. With the help of the wealthy Lord Fairfax, Morel must battle an increasingly demanding clientele, unruly staff, and a difficult, often hostile climate to make their dream a reality.
Cyril Metzger (Happening) and Manon Clavel (The Truth) are set to star as Morel and his wife Rose, the ambitious married couple who are running the hotel at the center of the show. Bridgerton alum Simon Ludders plays Fairfax, whose dream is to turn the hotel into a winter holiday destination.
(Photo: Courtesy of RTS/Netflix)
Other members of the ensemble include Astrid Roos (Master Crimes) as Lady Isobel, Henry Pettigrew (Guilt) as Sir Conan Doyle, Clive Standen (Vikings) as Lance Raney, Vincent Heneine (The 7 Lives of Lea) as Chef Voclain, and Axel Granberger (Emily in Paris) as Marcus. Swiss stars Alix Henzelin, Antoine Basler, Gaspard Boesch, Roland Vouilloz, Serge Musy, and Karim Barras round out the cast.
The series is a co-production between Swiss network RTS, Swiss production company Point Prod, French production company Oble, and Netflix. It is written by Lindsay Shapero and directed by Pierre Monnard.
"Winter Palace will bring to life the experience of a luxury hotel with its share of fantasies, excesses, carefree lifestyle and celebrities, while also revealing its backstage drama,” Monnard said in a statement. “These contrasts will vary the tempo and constantly surprise the audience.”
Filming is currently under way in the Swiss resort towns of Montreux and Valais and is scheduled to wrap next spring. The series is slated to premiere on Netflix at the end of 2024, following a. limited release on RTS and its streaming service Play Suisse.
