Are you already missing the royal excitement after the Royal Wedding? Watched Netflix’s The Crown too often? Do you need a break from The Princess Diaries? Or are you just in search of a new series to binge? Look no further and let me introduce you to The Royals!
The Cliff Notes
The Royals follows a fictional British family and offers answers to the questions everyone asks themselves at least once about any royal family—what goes on behind closed palace doors? What happens when no one is watching?
Similar to such hits as Gossip Girl and The O.C., The Royals features that perfect blend of gasp-out-loud drama and heart-to-hearts that marks any good soap. The creator of E! first scripted TV show is none other than Mark Schwahn—a name that may sound familiar to some of you if you’ve watched Schwahn’s earlier work One Tree Hill (2003-2012), and just like that show, this one might just take up a special place in your heart.
So, without further ado, here are seven reasons to binge The Royals:
1. The Aesthetic
The visuals of this show go above and beyond. Whether it’s the opulent Blenheim palace where the series is shot, the breathtaking Alexander McQueen gowns the women are wearing or the luxurious mise-èn-scene—this series looks breathtaking.
2. Intrigue, Scandal, Tension, Mystery – Oh, My!
Royal blackmail, schemes, a murder mystery and loads of scandals make The Royals addictive to watch. Sure, some of the storylines require a certain suspension of disbelief, but it’s definitely worth it to ignore reality for a few minutes to enjoy watching someone try to steal an extravagant diamond while driving around in bumper cars in the middle of the palace.
Even better, this show has a J.K.Rowling-esque quality to it. Meaning, if you pay close attention, you can almost guess the plot twists before they happen. Everything is planned out. No raging plot holes that will make you throw your TV remote across the living room.
3. The Cast and Characters
Aesthetics and drama aside, at the heart of the show are its characters—and The Royals delivers on that front.
The Royal family Henstridge is the focus of the show, of course. Elizabeth Hurley plays the at times manipulative or vulnerable Queen (a role we all know she was born for) and mother to three children: Robert (Max Brown), heir to the throne, who goes missing within the first episode; and the twins Eleanor (Alexandra Park) and Liam (William Moseley) who are thick as thieves and just as devious. Completing the family are King Simon (Vincent Regan) and his brother Cyrus (Jake Maskall) who, just like Scar in The Lion King, wants what isn’t rightfully his. While you might not have the bloody fights that Game of Thrones offers, the manipulative ways in which some people try to fail to claim the throne are ridiculously entertaining.
Furthermore, every single character has their own story, their own desires and goals. They are basically all Slytherins—ambitious, determined, cunning, and they stop at nothing to get what they want. Another great thing is that no character is ever wholly good or evil—there is only gray moral ground. And most of the time, these characters try not to fall off the wagon. You might not endorse the character’s motivations for their wrongdoings, but you can always empathise with them. Next thing you know, you’ll find yourself rooting for them, while secretly wanting to find out what will happen when they’re pushed too far. And yes, that does happen quite frequently. Watching them work their way out of hell is almost as fun as watching them get into the situation in the first place.
There are broken characters that try their hardest to be kind and compassionate, characters that find themselves drawn to hedonistic impulses, and some who decided to just give up on being good. There are so many characters and chances are you will watch the show just to see your favourite take over the screen.
4. Character Growth
We all know those television shows where the characters are fun, but never really change. These are dynamic characters, though and they have more layers than a Matryoshka doll. Take Eleanor, for example. Eleanor is third in line to the throne, twin to Liam, troublemaker to her mother and altogether the outsider. Starting out as party girl with a certain disregard for rules and a penchant for creating tabloid scandals, she grows through love and loss, blackmail and sobriety. She finds a way to turn her vices into ways of helping people and the public, as well as the audience, loves her for it.
5. Relationships
So far, we’ve got beautiful shots, great plotlines and talented actors.
But just like in Schwahn’s first major television show One Tree Hill, family is the focus. Whether it’s watching Eleanor stuck in a will-they-won’t-they relationship or witnessing the twins accusing their mother of murder. At the end of it all, these people are a family that will protect each other, even when they’re screaming and fighting. Add in sibling rivalry and swoonworthy romances, and you’ve got the recipe for one great show.
At the core, this show is feminist. Don’t be fooled, the guys may have the upper hand for a while, but the wily women always find a way to gain common ground. This is a show about compromise, about finding common ground. It’s a show where the Queen rules more than the King, where young women realise their worth and work hard to leave the world a better, fairer place.
6. The Soundtrack
From James Bay to London Grammar, Bahari to Sam Tinnesz, The Royals has a tendency to make every song feel epic. The soundtrack features a wide range of songs; some acoustic covers and punk rock anthems that will make you watch the same scene a dozen times (which I completely recommend for the James Bay “Let It Go” moment in Season 2). The tone of the scenes is set through its aptly chosen music; the finale of Season 4, for instance, includes an eerily haunting rendition of Creep by Scala & Kolacny Brothers that you’ll forever associate with a certain royal wedding.
7. The Most Important Part – It’s Fun
True, every episode has its tear-jerking moments, but overall, the series is ridiculously funny. The humour is on par, but most of it is due to the actors just being perfectly cast for their roles – whether it’s Cyrus’ failing attempts at getting the crown, Eleanor’s self-deprecating humour or bodyguard/thief Jasper trying to emulate a British accent to con the royals – if you don’t laugh out loud at least once in those forty minutes, I would be shocked.
Binge or Draw Out
Lastly, you might think: this is all nice and well, but why do I need to binge watch this?
The answer is simple, really. The Royals is addictive. Once you get used to the rhythm of betrayal, forbidden romance and family feuds, this show won’t let your mind wander elsewhere. Besides, who wants to live with brutal cliffhangers when you can just find out how the story continues in one comfortable sitting?
