After Heated Rivalry took audiences by storm with its emotional portrayal of two hockey stars navigating love under the glare of public scrutiny, fans are searching for their next heartfelt binge. That search ends with Netflix’s Young Royals.
This Swedish coming-of-age drama brings the same emotional intensity and secrecy but trades ice rinks for gilded halls and team rivalries for royal expectations. With its blend of romance, duty, and identity, Young Royals has become one of Netflix’s most underrated gems, a story that reflects how far LGBTQ+ storytelling has evolved on screen.
“‘Young Royals’ captures the kind of quiet, aching love story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant,” says TV critic Laura Jenkins. “It’s everything fans of ‘Heated Rivalry’ will adore — raw emotion, impossible choices, and two characters torn between heart and honour.”
Introduction to ‘Young Royals’: A Royal Secret Worth Keeping
Set in Sweden, Young Royals follows Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding), a troubled royal heir sent to the elite boarding school Hillerska after a public scandal. There, he meets Simon (Omar Rudberg), a working-class student and talented singer who challenges everything Wilhelm thought he knew about love and duty.
The series explores themes of sexuality, privilege, and social pressure, as Wilhelm must choose between following royal protocol or living his truth. The emotional depth of the series comes from its grounded realism, a love story not idealised, but painfully real.
Overview of ‘Young Royals’
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Young Royals |
| Genre | Teen Drama / LGBTQ+ Romance |
| Country of Origin | Sweden |
| Creators | Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, Camilla Holter |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Seasons | 3 (2021–2023) |
| IMDb Rating | 8.3/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 100% |
| Main Cast | Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Malte Gårdinger, Nikita Uggla, Frida Argento |
| Languages | Swedish (with subtitles/dubbing available) |
The Legacy of LGBTQ+ Representation in TV
The path to series like Young Royals has been decades in the making. Earlier shows like Soap (1977) and Friends paved the way with side characters or brief glimpses of same-sex relationships, but rarely were such stories given emotional or narrative depth.
By the 2020s, audiences demanded authentic, central LGBTQ+ storytelling. Series like Heartstopper, Sex Education, and now Heated Rivalry and Young Royals reflect a shift not toward sensationalism, but toward sincerity.
“Audiences aren’t just asking for representation anymore,” notes media scholar Dr. Hannah Lindstrom. “They’re asking for nuance, for complexity, and for love stories that feel lived-in and real.”
Themes & Storylines: Love, Duty, and Identity
At its heart, Young Royals is a coming-of-age story about self-discovery in a world that demands conformity.
Wilhelm’s Struggle
Wilhelm is born into privilege but suffocated by it. As the younger prince, he initially feels free to rebel until tragedy strikes and he becomes next in line for the throne. His growing affection for Simon forces him to face a painful choice: uphold royal duty or embrace personal freedom.
Simon’s Conflict
Simon comes from a working-class family and is attending Hillerska on a scholarship. His romance with Wilhelm introduces a stark class divide. He loves the boy, but resents the system the prince represents. His character grounds the series in emotional realism, showing the price of love when worlds collide.
“Simon represents the everyman — grounded, honest, and flawed,” says cultural critic Marcus Hallström. “Through him, we see how love can be both liberating and devastating.”
Ensemble Cast and Broader Representation
Unlike Heated Rivalry, which keeps its focus tight on its central romance, Young Royals weaves multiple narratives that enrich the world around Wilhelm and Simon.
- August (Malte Gårdinger) – Wilhelm’s cousin and antagonist, initially a manipulative bully but later revealed as deeply insecure and lonely.
- Sara (Frida Argento) – Simon’s neurodivergent sister who masks her Asperger’s symptoms to fit in, providing vital representation for neurodivergent viewers.
- Felice (Nikita Uggla) – A woman of color and daughter of “new money,” struggling to find acceptance in elite circles.
These characters create a tapestry of modern identity race, class, gender, and mental health all intersect naturally within the story.
“Every character feels real,” says entertainment writer Jasmine Romero. “Even the antagonists are layered, which makes the world of Hillerska so compelling.”
Key Features
| Aspect | Why It Resonates |
|---|---|
| Forbidden Romance | Secret relationship between a royal and a commoner mirrors the pressures in Heated Rivalry |
| Social Commentary | Tackles privilege, class, and the expectations placed on young people in elite systems |
| LGBTQ+ Representation | Centers on queer love without tragedy as the defining narrative |
| Cinematic Quality | Soft cinematography, natural dialogue, and haunting original music |
| Character Growth | Each season deepens the emotional journey and maturity of its leads |
Why ‘Young Royals’ Is Perfect for ‘Heated Rivalry’ Fans?
Both series explore forbidden love, but where Heated Rivalry shows athletes battling fame and identity, Young Royals takes those same emotional stakes into the realm of royalty. Both feature protagonists forced to hide their true selves under immense societal pressure.
The chemistry between Wilhelm and Simon mirrors the tension between Shane and Ilya in Heated Rivalry. Every stolen glance and whispered confession feels like a rebellion against the world watching.
| Comparison Table | Heated Rivalry | Young Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Professional Hockey World | Elite Royal Boarding School |
| Relationship Type | Secret Sports Romance | Secret Royal Romance |
| Tone | Mature, competitive, high-stakes | Intimate, emotional, character-driven |
| Themes | Fame, secrecy, masculinity | Class, identity, responsibility |
| Main Appeal | Forbidden love amid public life | Forbidden love under royal duty |
Cultural Impact and Critical Reception
Since its debut, Young Royals has achieved both critical acclaim and a dedicated international fan base. With its 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an 8.3 IMDb score, it has become one of Netflix’s most beloved LGBTQ+ titles.
The show has inspired academic discussion, fan conventions, and even real-world conversations about monarchy and mental health. Its soundtrack, featuring Scandinavian pop and haunting instrumentals, has become a staple on Spotify playlists for fans worldwide.
Availability & Viewing Details
| Platform | Availability | Languages | Subscription Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Global | Subtitles & Dubbing in multiple languages | Yes (Basic, Standard, Premium) |
| Max (U.S.) | Heated Rivalry available | English | Yes |
| YouTube / Social Media | Official trailers & fan edits | Multilingual | Free |
For those who discovered Heated Rivalry on Max, transitioning to Young Royals on Netflix offers a seamless continuation of the emotional intensity and thematic depth, both exploring what it means to love in the spotlight.
Why It Matters?
The success of shows like Heated Rivalry and Young Royals signals a new chapter in LGBTQ+ storytelling. These series move beyond tokenism to deliver nuanced, deeply human portrayals of love and identity.
Rather than centering trauma, they celebrate growth and vulnerability. They challenge audiences to empathize, not just sympathize.
“The beauty of these shows lies in how ordinary they make extraordinary love feel,” says LGBTQ+ advocate Elena Mendez. “They remind viewers that representation isn’t just about visibility — it’s about truth.”
FAQs
No, the series is fictional, though it draws inspiration from real-world royal structures and boarding school culture in Europe.
There are three seasons, totaling 18 episodes, all available for streaming.
Yes, though it includes mature themes around sexuality, class, and mental health suitable for older teens and adults.
No, the story concluded with its third season in 2023, offering a complete emotional arc.
Both explore hidden same-sex romances under public scrutiny, emphasising emotional honesty and self-acceptance.
Yes, Young Royals is available in over 190 countries on Netflix.
