The series premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025, and received mixed reviews from critics. While the performances of Khatter, Samat, and Tanwar, and its costumes and production design was widely praised, Pednekar's chemistry with Khatter was panned, the direction was considered underwhelming and the storyline drew criticism for lacking emotional depth.[5] The series was renewed for a second season on May 28, 2025.
The series was officially commissioned by Netflix, with Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana attached to direct. Production was handled by Pritish Nandy Communications.[6][7]
The first teaser for The Royals was released on 3 February 2025,[16] followed by the official trailer on 22 April 2025.[17]
The series was made available for streaming on Netflix on 9 May 2025.[18]
Reception
Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com rated the series 2 out of 5 stars. In her review, she criticized the show's emphasis on surface-level aesthetics, remarking that "everything is seen through the prism of sex and good looks." She argued that the narrative—centered on a financially strained royal family launching a hospitality venture—lacked narrative depth and relied excessively on visual appeal.[19]
Shubhra Gupta from The Indian Express also awarded the series 2 out of 5 stars, describing it as "all show." She observed that the production "struggles for air under all that costumery," suggesting that elaborate visuals could not compensate for its lack of narrative substance. Gupta also found the central romantic arc underwhelming, stating that "all that coupling... doesn’t really get as steamy as it should have."[20]
Abhimanyu Mathur of Hindustan Times offered a more favorable view, rating the series 3 out of 5 stars. He described it as a "fun rom-com" that balances frivolity with occasional emotional weight. Mathur praised the chemistry between the lead actors and drew comparisons to Bridgerton, writing that the series effectively combines Bollywood elements with a period-drama sensibility. While noting its imperfections, he concluded that it was a "much-needed clutter-breaker" in the Indian streaming landscape.[21]
Pallavi Keswani of The Hindu was more critical of the series, stating that it "finds itself creatively lacking despite possessing a long list of talented names." She argued that the show failed to leverage its ensemble cast into compelling drama, citing an absence of innovation or originality in its storytelling.[22]
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