Young Royals (TV series)

Young Royals is a Swedish teen drama television series set at the fictional elite boarding school Hillerska.[1] The plot revolves around Prince Wilhelm of Sweden, his budding gay romance with a fellow student and the drama that comes with it. The six-episode series was created by Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung and Camilla Holter, and premiered on Netflix on July 1, 2021. On September 22, 2021, it was announced that a second season was in production, to be released in 2022.[2]

Young Royals
Genre
Created by
  • Lisa Ambjörn
  • Lars Beckung
  • Camilla Holter
Written by
  • Lisa Ambjörn
  • Sofie Forsman
  • Tove Forsman
Directed by
  • Rojda Sekersöz
  • Erika Calmeyer
ComposerMatti Bye
Country of originSweden
Original languageSwedish
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerLars Beckung
Producers
  • Lisa Berggren Eyre
  • Martin Söder
EditorSofia Lindgren
Running time40–50 minutes
Production companyNexiko AB
Release
Original networkNetflix
Picture formatWidescreen
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01) –
present

Cast and characters

Main
  • Edvin Ryding as Prince Wilhelm of Sweden, aka "Wille" by fellow students[3]
  • Omar Rudberg as Simon Eriksson,[3] a non-boarding student and Sara's brother; love interest of Wilhelm
  • Malte Gårdinger as August of Årnäs, second cousin of Wilhelm and Erik, third-year student, prefect, and captain of the rowing team[4]
  • Frida Argento as Sara Eriksson,[3] a non-boarding student and Simon's sister
  • Nikita Uggla as Felice Ehrencrona,[3] a student and member of the modern nobility

Recurring
  • Pernilla August as Queen Kristina of Sweden,[3] Wilhelm and Erik's mother
  • Nathalie Varli as Madison McCoy, an international student at Hillerska and Felice's friend
  • Carmen Gloria Pérez as Linda, Simon and Sara's mother
  • Leonard Terfelt as Micke, Simon and Sara's father
  • Ivar Forsling as Crown Prince Erik of Sweden, Wilhelm's older brother
  • Ingela Olsson as Hillerska Headmistress Anette Lilja
  • Inti Zamora Sobrado as Ayub, Simon's friend from Bjärstad
  • Beri Gerwise as Rosh, Simon's friend from Bjärstad
  • Nils Wetterholm as Vincent, August's friend and a student at Hillerska
  • Samuel Astor as Nils, August's friend and a student at Hillerska
  • Fabian Penje as Henry, a student at Hillerska
  • Felicia Truedsson as Stella, Felice's friend and a student at Hillerska
  • Mimmi Cyon as Fredrika, Felice's friend and a student at Hillerska
  • Uno Elger as Walter, a student at Hillerska
  • Xiao-Long Rathje Zhao as Alexander, a student at Hillerska
  • Livia Millhagen as Smysan
  • Rennie Mirro as the school's sports teacher
  • David Lenneman as Poppe

Plot

Season 1

After getting in a fight at a club, Prince Wilhelm, second-born son of Queen Kristina of Sweden, is sent to the elite boarding school Hillerska, located near the town of Bjärstad, where his elder brother Crown Prince Erik also studied. Fellow student August, the princes' second cousin, watches over Wilhelm as he starts his studies.

Other students in Wilhelm's class include nobles such as Felice or other Swedish land owners' sons. Bjärstad locals Simon and his sister Sara, the working class children of Latina immigrant single mother Linda, are non-boarding students and travel to the school by bus every day. While initially not keen to study at Hillerska, Wilhelm soon starts to enjoy the school life, making friends in August's “secret societies” and the rowing club.

As Felice tries to start a relationship with Wilhelm, he instead falls in love with Simon, who shows Wilhelm a different, non-elite life, watching football matches or riding motorcycles at night. Sara, who has Asperger's and ADHD, becomes friends with Felice, as she helps Felice in the school stables, because Felice does not actually want to ride her horse, but only does so because her mother wishes so.

After Crown Prince Erik dies in a car crash, Wilhelm suddenly becomes first in line to the throne, but continues studying at Hillerska. One night, Simon and Wilhelm are secretly filmed by August being intimate. While August initially contemplates what to do with the video, he shares it publicly after Wilhelm discloses to their “secret society” that August's family is broke and he can't afford to study at Hillerska anymore (unbeknownst to August, Wilhelm had already arranged for August's tuition to be paid for by the royal family).

An international scandal erupts and Wilhelm is forced by Queen Kristina to deny being in the video. Wilhelm eventually denies that it's him in the sex tape, hurting Simon, who thought Wilhelm was accepting their love and coming out of the closet. Wilhelm goes to visit Simon at home and apologize, but Simon refuses to be his secret and the two break up.

The final scene is during their school Christmas ceremony where Simon leads the choir. Wilhelm has always loved his voice, and when it's over, Wilhelm hugs him before leaving, admitting that he loves him. Simon wishes him Merry Christmas.

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [5]
1"Episode 1"Rojda SekersözLisa AmbjörnJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)
The episode begins with Prince Wilhelm taking deep breaths in front of a mirror, a black eye and scratches clearly on his face. As Wilhelm is driven to the castle he has a flashback to an earlier night at a party, where he gets into a fight with another boy, which has been posted online. Wilhelm is given a script for an apology speech and he becomes outraged to learn that his parents have forcibly enrolled him at Hillerska Boarding School, a prestigious boarding school in the country. He is lectured about attending Hillerska - which his family had attended for generations - and despite his brother Erik being crown prince, Wilhelm still has to uphold his responsibilities as a prince. Wilhelm arrives at the boarding school and is greeted by his second cousin, August. They head to the school church, where Wilhelm sees his childhood friend, Felice, in the choir. Wilhelm keeps his eyes on the soloist, Simon, as he sings. Afterwards, while August talks with his friends, they laugh at Simon for being a new non-boarder at the school. A day later, August approaches Simon about getting booze for Wilhelm’s initiation party and he agrees on the condition that he and his sister, Sara, are invited to the party. At the party, Wilhelm and Simon get to know each other better.
2"Episode 2"Rojda SekersözLisa Ambjörn, Sofie Forsman, Tove ForsmanJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)
August struggles with his addiction to ADHD-medication, and is advised by Vincent to start taking an assessment with the school councillor. Instead of letting the assessment take its course, August attempts to get more medication while also being in the debt to Simon for the booze. He asks Sara for help, but is held back by Simon, before they agree that he will repay him the double of the original amount. Simon starts private tutoring after getting bad results at a math test. Wilhelm joins Simon at night to watch his friend Rosh play football, moments which Simon shares on social media. Upon returning to Hillerska, August warns him not to hang with the wrong people, and has Wilhelm ask Simon to delete the video. During a film night at school, Wilhelm and Simon share a kiss.
3"Episode 3"Rojda Sekersöz, Erika CalmeyerLisa Ambjörn, Pia GradvallJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)
Hillerska hosts a spirited Parents' Weekend but a bevy of surprises, disappointments and more occur for Wilhelm, August and Simon. August learns from his mother that they can’t afford his tuition, suggesting he could sell art to gain more money, but August dismisses the idea. Furthermore, Simon pressures him to repay him, but August dismisses his pleads. Simon resorts to help from his friends and together they confront August. Simon attacks him and August confesses that his family is broke, being the reason he can’t repay Simon. As a consequence, Simon’s friends distance themselves from him. Wilhelm dismisses the kiss they shared the previous night, and wants to remain friends with Simon, however some time later he changes his mind. He also proposes they spend time together at school during the weekend, however he is forced to rearrange their meeting location due to August also deciding to stay at school. Wilhelm is later called in by the principal, and is phoned by the Queen, who informs him that his brother, Crown Prince Erik, has been killed in a car accident.
4"Episode 4"Rojda SekersözLisa Ambjörn, Pia GradvallJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)
As Erik’s funeral is held, Wilhelm ascends to be Crown Prince and spends time with his family before returning to Hilerska, where he holds a speech for the students in memory of his brother. Simon checks on him afterwards, and Wilhelm asks him to delete their texts. Simon also pressures August to repay him, forcing him to sell his father’s medication, which also lands him in trouble with his father. August slowly starts repaying Simon. August and Felice become a couple, but August breaks up after suspecting she prefers Wilhelm over him. Wilhelm joins the Society and drinks his sorrow away. Simon rescues a drunken Wilhelm, and the two spend the night together, but unbeknownst to them, get filmed by August.
5"Episode 5"Rojda Sekersöz, Erika CalmeyerLisa Ambjörn, Sofie Forsman, Tove ForsmanJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)
August and Wilhelm face off over how to resolve a disciplinary problem at school when Alexander is expelled after being found in possession of drugs from the party. August suggests that they should put the blame on Simon, making Wilhelm conflicted. He tells Simon about the situation, but Simon scoffs of his concerns about the impact on his family. Wilhelm decides to instead put the blame on Alexander, much to August’s protest, but he uses his financial situation against him, and is unanimously backed by the other boys. Wilhelm and Simon grow closer together, spending time at Simon’s home one night. Wilhelm informs Simon about his resolution to Alexander’s situation, and they reconcile. Sara revels in hanging out with Felice and her friends, joining them to prepare for the upcoming St. Lucy's Day celebrations. An angry August retaliates by releasing the video of Wilhelm and Simon, only to later learn that Wilhelm had actually helped him in resolving his financial situation by having the Royal Palace look into it.
6"Episode 6"Rojda Sekersöz, Erika CalmeyerLisa AmbjörnJuly 1, 2021 (2021-07-01)
Wilhelm feels conflicted about how to handle the aftermath of the leaked video whilst Simon's life gets invaded by the press. The Queen visits Wilhelm and urges him to make a statement denying that he appeared in the video, something Wilhelm doesn't want to do. Simon's mother wants to pull him and Sara from Hillerska and send them back to Marieberg for the next school term, something Sara objects to, wanting to become a resident at Hillerska. Felice investigates the video to find clues of who leaked it. Wilhelm issues a statement denying that he is in the video. Felice figures out that August leaked the video and tells Wilhelm, who confronts August, feeling betrayed. Wilhelm also tells the Queen, but she reveals that she already knew. Following the Christmas ceremony, Wilhelm hugs Simon and tells him he loves him before leaving. Simon wishes him a good Christmas.

Production

Filming

The series was mostly filmed at Kaggeholms gård, a manor-style building located in Stockholm County that is operated as a conference center.[6][7]

The scenes that took place at the royal palace were filmed at Stora Sundby Castle.[6][7]

Casting

In January 2021, long before the announcement of the series' release date, Edvin Ryding, Pernilla August, Malte Gårdinger, Frida Argento, Nikita Uggla and Omar Rudberg were announced to have been cast in the starring roles while Nathalie Varli, Felicia Truedsson, Mimmi Cyon, Ingela Olsson, Rennie Mirro, Livia Millhagen and David Lenneman were announced to have been cast in the recurring roles. Ryding was cast as Prince Wilhelm and August was cast to play his mother, Queen Kristina of Sweden.[8] It was later announced that Rudberg would play Simon, Prince Wilhelm's love interest.[9]

Marketing

The series' official teaser was released on May 19, 2021 with the official trailer released on June 17, 2021.[10][11]

Reception

The series received critical acclaim and positive responses from audience. On IMDb, Young Royals received a weighted score of 8.5 out of 10 from over 20,000 votes,[12] while on Rotten Tomatoes it received a 99% audience approval score.[13] Audiences rate highly the show's fidelity to real life in casting teenagers for teenage roles and showing skin textures with blemishes.[14][15] Some critics and audiences compared the series favorably to similar shows such as Elite, Gossip Girl, The Crown, and Skam.[15][14]

David Opie of Digital Spy praised Young Royals for "cast[ing] actors who actually look the age they're supposed to be playing" and "portray[ing] teenage life with some much-needed authenticity". He described the series as "an updated version of the classic Cinderella story" and concluded that the series "excels most [...] when it comes to the central romance between Wilhelm and Simon".[14] TV critic Flora Carr of Radio Times in a review of the first two episodes described the series as "predictable but heartfelt". She criticized the series' "checklist of teen-romance visuals" and "the plot’s reliance on characters like August", but ultimately concluded that "the authentically teenage cast may also prove a breath of fresh air" for younger viewers.[15]

References
  1. Opie, David (2021-07-05). "Young Royals season 2 on Netflix: Everything you need to know". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  2. Pedersen, Erik (2021-06-15). "Summer Premiere Dates For New & Returning TV Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  3. "About Netflix - EDVIN RYDING, OMAR RUDBERG AND PERNILLA AUGUST STARRING IN THE SWEDISH COMING OF AGE SERIES YOUNG ROYALS". About Netflix. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  4. "Young Royals (2021) / Characters". TV Tropes. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  5. "Young Royals – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  6. "Where was Young Royals filmed? Locations for the Swedish Netflix drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  7. Rachel. "Young Royals Filming Location – Netflix's LGBTQ Show's Real Location Details!". Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  8. Soen, Hayley (2021-01-28). "New Netflix series 'Young Royals' is about a teen prince at a fancy boarding school". The Tab. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  9. White, Beverly (2020-06-23). "Netflix 'Young Royals' Full Cast List: Meet Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg and rest of the stars". Meaww. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  10. "Young Royals Official Teaser Netlifx". YouTube. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  11. "Young Royals Official Trailer Netlifx". YouTube. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  12. "Young Royals". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  13. "Young Royals: Season 1 (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  14. Opie, David (2021-07-06). "Young Royals does this one thing better than other teen shows like Élite or Riverdale". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  15. Carr, Flora (2021-06-28). "Young Royals review: Netflix's predictable but heartfelt Swedish teen drama leans into the intensity of first love". Radio Times.
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