What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Royals
Mark Schwahn · Series · 2015
If you loved The Royals, start with Royal Exclusive — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Royals across media.
If you loved The Royals, you are clearly fascinated by the volatile intersection of private desire and the crushing weight of public duty.
Books on the same thread
The Sport of Kings
C. E. Morgan · Book · 2017
Explores: Slavery's Legacy, Family Dysfunction, Social Class.
Like the family in The Royals, this portrait of a dynasty explores how deep-seated dysfunction and inherited status create a volatile environment for those living under constant scrutiny.
Bridgerton
Julia Quinn · Book · 2015
Explores: marriage of convenience, social etiquette, aristocratic scandal.
If the aristocratic scandals of The Royals kept you watching, you will thrive on this story of a powerful family balancing social etiquette with the demands of romance.
The White Princess
Philippa Gregory · Book · 2013
Shares 2 threads with The Royals: Power Struggles, Duty vs. Desire.
This narrative mirrors the political intrigue and power struggles found in The Royals, focusing on a woman forced to navigate high-stakes alliances while harboring a desire for revenge.
The Palace Papers
Tina Brown · Book
Explores: institutional legacy, public image management, aristocratic scandal.
For those captivated by the institutional legacy and public image management in The Royals, this investigation offers a real-world look at how a monarchy sustains its modern relevance.
Films on the same thread
The Queen
Stephen Frears · Film · 2006
Explores: Royal family, Political leadership, Public mourning.
Much like the crisis management depicted in The Royals, this film examines the tension between a royal family's private grief and their public responsibility to a changing nation.
The Lion in Winter
Film · 1968
Explores: Royal Succession, Dysfunctional Family, Political Intrigue.
The intense betrayal and dysfunctional family dynamics that defined The Royals are mirrored here as monarchs battle for succession, proving that power often comes at a personal cost.
The Duchess
Saul Dibb · Film · 2008
Shares a thread with The Royals: scandal.
This chronicle of a duchess navigating scandal and female oppression echoes the struggles of characters in The Royals who find their personal lives dictated by their high-profile status.
The Remains of the Day
James Ivory · Film · 1993
Shares a thread with The Royals: Duty vs. Desire.
The internal conflict between duty and desire that fuels The Royals is masterfully explored in this story of a butler whose rigid adherence to decorum suppresses his true feelings.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Shares a thread with The Royals: soap opera.
If you enjoyed the serialized soap opera nature of The Royals, this ongoing drama provides a similar deep dive into the complex relationships and community life of its characters.
Royal Exclusive
Podcast
Explores: British monarchy, Royal family, Palace intrigue.
This podcast satisfies the curiosity about palace intrigue and the monarchy that The Royals inspires, offering an insider perspective on the real news behind the glamorous facade.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Royals based on a true story?
No, The Royals is a fictional drama created by Mark Schwahn. It centers on a made-up British royal family living in modern day London, focusing on their opulent lifestyle and the pressures of public scrutiny rather than actual historical events.
What is the core premise of The Royals?
The Royals follows a fictional British royal family in modern London. The series explores the conflict between their world of extreme opulence and regal tradition and the heavy price they pay regarding duty, destiny, and the constant attention of the public eye.
Does The Royals focus on the challenges of living in the public eye?
Yes, a central theme of The Royals is the intense public scrutiny that the fictional royal family faces. While they enjoy a life of immense wealth and tradition, the show depicts how this lifestyle comes with significant personal costs and expectations of duty.
Is The Royals set in a historical time period?
No, The Royals is set in modern day London. The show examines the lives of a fictional royal family as they navigate contemporary society, balancing their traditional roles and opulent surroundings with the modern pressures of destiny and public opinion.