Even before "The Royals" premieres on TV this month, the show is already embroiled in a series of controversies that aim to excite viewers to watch the show.
The first-ever scripted series from E!, which features the fictional life of the British monarchy, was recently in the news after a video of a naked man climbing out of the Buckingham Palace went viral. Major media networks picked up the news — without realizing that it is a fake — and it was released by an online tabloid called "D-Throned," which is a part of the series.
Written by "One Tree Hill" creator Mark Schwahn, "The Royals" stars British actress Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena, the fictional queen of the U.K., and her chaotic contemporary royal family. The story revolves around their struggle to keep up with their royal roles while dealing with all the drama while in the public eye.
Other cast members include: Vincent Regan as Helena's husband King Simon; William Moseley as their son Prince Liam; Alexandra Park as Liam's twin sister Princess Eleanor; Merritt Patterson as Liam's girlfriend Ophelia; and Oliver Milburn as Ted, the royal head of security and Ophelia's father. They will be joined by Jake Maskall as Simon's brother Prince Cyrus; Lydia Rose Bewley as Princess Penelope, the daughter of Cyrus; Hatty Preston as Penelope's sister Princess Maribel; and Sophie Colquhoun as Gemma, Liam's socialite ex-girlfriend. Joan Collins also joins the cast as the Grand Duchess of Oxford, Helena's mother.
The series premieres when Helena's eldest son Prince Robert dies tragically, shattering the family's peace and shocking the entire country since Liam will now be the next in line to be the future king.
Actress Elizabeth Hurley describes the new show as a "modern day Dynasty," while Schwann said that "It's more about a family than it is about a monarchy. It just so happens that their stakes involve the monarchy and the most powerful throne on Earth."
"The Royals" will premiere on March 15 on E!
