Young Royals is a Swedish teen drama set at an elite boarding school called Hillerska. The Netflix original series follows fictional Prince Wilhelm as he adjusts to the new school while discovering that he has newfound feelings for his fellow classmate Simon. Though their feelings for each other are deep, their budding romance is not without its challenges. The series premiered on Netflix in July 2021 and was renewed for a second season, which, per Digital Spy, is set to be released on the streamer in November 2022. Young Royals has been subject to critical acclaim, with special attention towards the casting of real-life teenagers.
Since the second season is rapidly approaching, it's only right that we look at why Young Royals has been subject to such high praise. Considering the fact that many teen dramas have been the butt of many jokes, specifically American shows about being a teenager, it's difficult to take them seriously. Young Royals, however, is the first teen drama in a while that has exceeded the expectations of viewers and critics alike. Here's why Young Royals is one of the most underrated LGBTQ+ TV shows and one of the best teen series on Netflix.
Healthy Representation of LGBTQ+ Relationships
Any relationship may seem daunting to teenagers as they experiment and learn how to love. An issue that many have found with a number of LGBTQ+ TV shows is that the relationships stem from stereotypical or unhealthy tropes. This can be worrying, particularly for shows aimed towards this demographic, as teenagers model a great deal of their behavior on what they see. Netflix's original Young Royals brings about a refreshing healthy relationship between characters. With open communication and understanding between Wilhelm and Simon, they are the model couple for any newly-blooming relationship.
Neurodivergent Representation
Since the release of the Netflix series Atypical, there has been a surge in mainstream representation of neurodivergent characters. Young Royals' secondary character Sara lives with Asperger's and ADHD. Rather than making her neurodivergency the only thing that we need to know about her, we instead get to see the often unseen difficulties and pathologies that come with neurodivergency, without demonizing it altogether. While there is still a lack of mainstream neurodivergent characters, Young Royals has taken one step towards a more inclusive film industry.
Actual Teenagers Playing the Teen Characters
We've all heard the running gag of how, as outlined by BuzzFeed, 30-year-olds are cast to play 16-year-olds, and we're actually expected to believe it, but some shows have broken that stereotype.Young Royals is most known for casting real-life teenagers to play the young characters. Edvin Ryding, who plays the lead character, is 18, and Nikkita Ugla is 19. While it is not the first series to cast real teens, the decision to cast real-life young people not only adds more realism to the fact that it is a teen show, but it also creates a whole new standard for teen shows as there are more rules for filming with teens than there are for adults.
Writers and Actors Collaborate on the Series' Development
While some actors simply show up on set, doing what they're told on-camera, others are more interested in the behind the scenes aspects. Whether it's producing a film like Vin Diesel has in several of the Fast & Furious films, or it's acting as lead actor and director like Bradley Cooper did in A Star is Born, it would seem the cast of Young Royals is interested in going beyond learning lines and establishing strong characters, as many of the actors of the main cast have participated in the development of the series before it even hits the screen. This collaborative energy is evident throughout Young Royals' triumphant first season. In addition to the actors owning their characters, the narrative also feels very much true to the teenage experience, grounded in ways that other, more recent teen series may not be.