The Royals (2015)
A scandalous drama following a fictional British Royal family navigating power, desire, and duty in modern-day London.
The Royals - Series Information
- Original Title: The Royals
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Created by: Mark Schwahn
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 40
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 15, 2015 (United States - TV-14), March 15, 2015 (Canada - 14+), March 15, 2015 (United Kingdom - 15), March 15, 2015 (Germany - 12), March 15, 2015 (France - 18), March 15, 2015 (India - U), March 15, 2015 (Australia - MA15+), March 15, 2015 (Brazil - 16), March 15, 2015 (Mexico - B), March 15, 2015 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: E!
- Alternative Titles: La Famille royale (CA)
- Production Companies: Lionsgate Television
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
The Royals - Plot
Drama about a fictional British Royal family set in modern day London, who inhabit a world of opulence and regal tradition that caters to any and every desire, but one that also comes with a price tag of duty, destiny and intense public scrutiny.
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The Royals - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark Schwahn
Main Cast
- Elizabeth Hurley
- William Moseley
- Alexandra Park
- Tom Austen
- Victoria Ekanoye
- Hatty Preston
- Jake Maskall
- Oliver Milburn
- Genevieve Gaunt
- Vincent Regan
Writers
- Mark Schwahn
- Julia Cohen
- Scarlett Lacey
- Johnny Richardson
The Royals - FAQs
Is The Royals based on a real royal family?
The Royals is entirely fictional. The series invented its own British royal family — the Henstridges — rather than depicting any real monarchy. Creator Mark Schwahn drew on the glamour and scandal surrounding real royal dynasties for atmosphere, but all characters, plotlines, and palace intrigue are original creations.
Why was The Royals cancelled after Season 4?
E! cancelled The Royals in 2018 following serious misconduct allegations against creator Mark Schwahn, who was accused of sexual harassment by cast and crew members. The network chose not to renew the series, ending it after four seasons and 40 episodes without a formal conclusion.
Where can you stream The Royals?
The Royals is available to stream on MovieSphere+ via Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, episodes and seasons can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who plays Queen Helena in The Royals?
Elizabeth Hurley plays Queen Helena, the scheming, glamorous matriarch of the Henstridge royal family. Hurley's performance became the show's defining element — her Queen Helena is simultaneously magnetic and ruthless, wielding charm and manipulation in equal measure throughout all four seasons.
How many seasons and episodes does The Royals have?
The Royals ran for four seasons on E!, each consisting of exactly 10 episodes, for a total of 40 episodes. The series aired from March 2015 to March 2018, making it one of E!'s longest-running scripted dramas before its cancellation.
Is The Royals worth watching for drama fans?
If you enjoy glossy, soap-operatic drama with a sharp edge, The Royals delivers. Elizabeth Hurley is magnetic as the scheming Queen Helena, and the show leans confidently into palace intrigue, forbidden romance, and family betrayal. It's stylish, entertaining, and unapologetically indulgent — perfect binge-watching material.
What is the tagline for The Royals?
The Royals carries the tagline "Anarchy in the Monarchy," which perfectly captures the show's spirit. Beneath the gilded surface of royal tradition lies a family in constant turmoil — driven by power struggles, scandal, and desires that no amount of protocol can contain.
What shows are similar to The Royals?
Fans of The Royals often enjoy The Crown for a more grounded royal drama, Versailles for lavish period intrigue, and The Tudors for historical monarchy scandal. For something equally soapy and modern, Tyler Perry's The Oval and Blood, Sex & Royalty offer comparable guilty-pleasure appeal.
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