17th century Prague. He claimed to be able to turn lead to gold. He was lying about the gold. He was not lying about everything else. Set in the court of Emperor Rudolf II in Prague (~1600 AD), The Alchemist follows Sebastien de Vries, 60, a Flemish alchemist of genuine and unusual gifts — not the mythological transmutation of metals, but an extraordinary understanding of chemistry, medicine, and the natural world that the 17th century cannot categorize except as alchemy. He is both charlatan (in the specific ways he must be to survive in Rudolf's court) and genuine (in the specific ways his knowledge exceeds his era). The series is a historical mystery with strong philosophical undertones, following Sebastien's investigations of strange deaths in Rudolf's court and his developing friendship with the court physician.
Season 1 — The Court
Sebastien in Rudolf's court. The first mysterious death. His alliance with Dr. Welser.
Season 2 — The Formula
The mystery's deeper layer. What Sebastien actually knows and why it is more dangerous than gold.
