It’s no secret that Netflix decides its content strategy based on data. The success of certain kinds of shows and films inspires the streamer to produce more of the same, but with a twist.The Royals, a new eight-episoderomantic comedyseries, takes theBridgertonmodel and applies it to a modern-day Indian setting. The show features a royal family staring bankruptcy and obsolescence in the face, forced to join hands with a brash young CEO of a hospitality company. The family rents out their palace for “commoners” to live in, and love blossoms between the CEO and a young prince.The Royalsopened to terrible reviewslast week, but has beenmaking a splash on the streaming charts.
According toFlixPatrol,The Royalshas beentopping Netflix’s rankings for the last two days, having dethroned the star-studded comedy seriesThe Four Seasons. Co-created by and starringTina Fey,The Four Seasonsalso featuresWill Forte,Steve CarellandColman Domingo. But the collective star-power of the show wasn’t enough to fend offThe Royals, which features Bollywood actorsIshaan KhatterandBhumi Pednekarin the lead roles. While it’s entirely possible that Western audiences aren’t familiar with their work, India’s sheer size was apparently enough forThe Royalsto ascend the throne.
Khatter played a supporting role in the similarly successful Netflix seriesThe Perfect Couple, starringNicole KidmanandLiev Schreiber. The series opened to mixed reviews some months ago, but drew massive viewership. Before that, he appeared in a cameo inDon’t Look Up. His next film,Homebound, has been executive produced byMartin Scorsese, and is headed to Cannes. Pednekar, on the other hand, earned her stripes with a string of acclaimed roles early in her career, but has been floundering in recent years trying to do more mainstream stuff. Her last few releases have struggled to find an audience, whichThe Royalsseems to be rectifying.
‘The Royals’ Has Received Poor Reviews
It hasearned a total 620 points, according to FlixPatrol. Not only has it been the number one show in the Indian Subcontinent, it has also found an audience in Europe and Asia, while finishing within the top five in the United States.The Royalshas beaten out titles such asYou,The Eternaut, andAstérix & Obelix: The Big Fight. The series currently holds a “rotten” 33% score on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, with most critics complaining about its frivolous tone and the lack of chemistry between the lead stars. You can watch the show’s trailer down below, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
