‘The Remarried Empress’ Coming to Disney+ in 2026: All About the Cast and Release Date

Disney+’s K-drama adaptation of the wildly popular web novel The Remarried Empress is set to deliver royal levels of drama, betrayal, and (of course) a scandalous remarriage. 

Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk, and Lee Se Young are coming together for this historical romance drama. Since the web novel is immensely popular in Asia and worldwide, there was a lot of buzz surrounding its live action adaptation. 

The webtoon has garnered roughly 2.6 billion views as of December 2024. Starting as a web novel in 2018, it quickly became a global hit, later turning into a popular webtoon. It was translated into 10 languages for readers worldwide.

On June 19, Disney+ released photos from the script reading session featuring the main cast along with the broadcast schedule.

The Remarried Empress Release Date

Disney+ has officially confirmed that The Remarried Empress, starring Shin Min Ah, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Se Young, and Ju Ji Hoon, will premiere in 2026. 

While an exact date is still under discussion, filming is set to begin soon with a likely mid-2026 release window. The series will stream exclusively on Disney+. It will join the platform’s growing slate of Korean original content like Moving and Big Bet.

Plot

Set in a fictional empire, the story follows Navier Ellie Trovi (Shin Min Ah), the brilliant and beloved empress of the Eastern Empire. Her world shatters when her husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji Hoon), betrays her by taking a mistress, Rashta (Lee Se Young), and demands a divorce. But Navier refuses to fade quietly—instead, she shocks the court by immediately remarrying Prince Heinrey (Lee Jong Suk) of the Western Kingdom.

Meet the Cast & Characters

Shin Min Ah as Princess Navier

Shin Min Ah (No Gain No Love, Our Blues, and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha) will play Empress Navier in The Remarried Empress. Navier is the perfect royal – smart, graceful, and adored by her people. But her world collapses when her husband, Emperor Sovieshu, suddenly asks for a divorce. Instead of accepting defeat, the wronged-but-unbroken Navier arranges to marry Prince Heinrey from a rival kingdom.

Ju Ji Hoon as Emperor Sovieshu

Ju Ji Hoon (The Light Shop, Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Kingdom) takes on the complex role of Emperor Sovieshu. As the all-powerful ruler of the Eastern Empire, he grew up alongside Navier (Shin Min Ah), their childhood friendship eventually turning into marriage. Despite promising Navier he would never take a concubine, Sovieshu shocks the empire when he breaks this vow and demands a divorce to be with his mistress.

Lee Jong Suk as Prince Heinrey

Lee Jong Suk (Big Mouth, Romance is a Bonus Book, While You Were Sleeping, and W) takes on the role of mysterious emperor-in-shining-armor, Heinrey.

He is the prince of the Western Kingdom and the first in line to the throne. The mysterious and charming royal enters Navier’s life with secrets up his sleeve. He approaches Navier with a secret plan, but as time goes on, he genuinely falls for her. 

Lee Se Young as Rashta

Lee Se Young (Motel California, What Comes After Love, and Red Sleeves) takes on the role of Rashta, a stunning runaway slave. When she discovers the man who saved her is the Eastern Empire’s emperor, Rashta starts to crave things she never thought possible.

From a powerless slave to a woman who dares to dream of the imperial throne, Rashta is one of the drama’s most fascinating characters – neither fully villain nor victim.

Supporting Cast

• Lee Bong Ryun as Eliza – Navier’s loyal chief maid and only confidante in the Western Palace.

• Choi Dae Hoon as McKenna – Heinrey’s sharp-tongued secretary who constantly worries about his prince’s reckless decisions.

• Park Ho San as Duke Lotteshu – Rashta’s former owner – a cruel nobleman holding dangerous secrets about her past that could shake the empire.

• Jung Young Joo as Duchess Albani – A scheming royal who adopts Rashta to regain her family’s lost power after her husband’s failed coup.

• Nam Yoon Ho as Lante – Sovieshu’s trusted secretary who maintains a strategic friendship with Eliza.

Production Team

The drama is helmed by director Jo Soo Won, known for directing Pinocchio, Today’s Webtoon, and I Hear Your Voice. The script is penned by The Uncanny Counter Yeo Ji Na.

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