Watch The Royals
- TV-14
- 2015
- 4 Seasons
-
7.4 (14,141)
The Royals is a fictional drama television series that aired for four seasons from 2015 to 2018 on E!. The show follows the story of a fictional royal family of England, and it captures their lives, relationships and the drama that unfolds behind their palace walls.
The series is centered around the Queen of England, Queen Helena Henstridge, played by Joan Collins, and her dysfunctional family. The show depicts the conflicts within the family and the ruling monarchy as a whole. The audience gets a glimpse into the problems that arise within the families of the royal household and how they balance their royal lives with their personal ones.
The show is a contrast to traditionally-styled British dramas such as Downton Abbey and The Crown. Instead of portraying aristocratic grace, The Royals showcases the scandals and controversies surrounding the modern-day monarchy. The show highlights the characters' greedy nature, lust for power and wealth, in comparison to the earthiness and humanity of the lower-class characters that surround them.
The show's pilot begins with the sudden death of the heir to the throne, Prince Robert, the firstborn son of Queen Helena and her husband, King Simon Henry, played by Vincent Regan. With the eldest son out of the picture, the title and responsibility are passed on to Robert's younger brother, Prince Liam, portrayed by William Moseley. Liam is the typical playboy prince, heir to the throne, and an unexpected suitor of a commoner, Ophelia Pryce, played by Merritt Patterson.
Alexandra Park plays the Queen and King's daughter, Princess Eleanor, who is the embodiment of punk rock and rebellion. Eleanor is the ultimate party girl who has never experienced any true responsibility in her life. However, Eleanor's attitude changes after her brother's death, and she finds herself drawn to leadership within the family and her country.
The first two seasons of the show primarily revolve around the death of Prince Robert and the subsequent fallout as the entire family attempts to come to terms with the sudden tragedy. The power struggles, emotionally charged scenes and plot twists make for an enthralling watch.
The third season of the show sees the monarchs and their children grappling with their new roles, the demands of the throne, and the huge implications that come with it. The plot evolves into a more serious drama, covering issues such as political affairs and terrorism, an unexpected twist that the audience eagerly welcomes.
As with any show, The Royals has its fair share of subplots, and most of them are gripping. For example, viewers are captivated by the secret relationship between the King's brother, Prince Cyrus, played by Jake Maskall, and his mysterious wife, an arrangement in which power is a part of their every move. Cyrus always tries to tilt the balance of power toward him, keeping his family members in the dark about his plans for the throne.
The show's opulent setting, sharp dialogue, and award-worthy performances make it a brilliant watch for both fans of royal drama and drama in general. With the twists and turns in the plot, the beautiful setting surrounding the characters, and a stunning cast, The Royals is an excellent show for anyone to indulge in.
In conclusion, The Royals is energetically bold, controversial, and thrillingly unexpected. It is recommended as a fascinating and enjoyable show worth watching for anyone who loves drama. It confirms that you don't have to be born royal to act like one, but you might get a lot more drama in your life if you are.
The Royals is a series that ran for 4 seasons (41 episodes) between March 16, 2015 and on E!