Royals Next Door is a new animated comedy series about a royal family who decide to downsize and live an ‘normal’ life. Now available to watch on RTÉ2, the series is created and directed by Veronica Lassenius and has been produced by Ink and Light here in Ireland with partners Pikkukala in Finland and Spain and Walking the Dog in Belgium.
The monarchy has to move with the times, something King Bob and Queen Kat took quite literally. They’ve moved out of the castle and into a ‘normal’ house in an ordinary suburb. It’s time to show the people that the Royals are just like everyone else!
For 13-year-old Princess Stella, moving is the best thing that could happen to her. She has always wanted to live a regular life, go to a real school, and just blend in. But blending in is not easy when you have no idea how ordinary things are done! Will Stella, her sister Molly, their parents, and pets manage to combine state dinners and opening speeches with cooking, football practice and cleaning the house?! Can Stella’s new friends Mia and Freya help her survive school plays, crushes and the cool crowds? Whatever happens, they’re certainly going to make a ROYAL effort!
Watch the trailer for Royals Next Door
“We have loved every minute of making this series, which makes us laugh every day” says producer Tamsin Lyons, “who can’t identify with Princess Stella’s challenge to fit in at school while still staying true to herself…even if we might not go to quite the extremes she does!”
Eimear O’Mahony, Executive Producer for RTÉ Young Peoples adds, “Royals Next Door is a great new addition to our slate for RTÉ Kids. It’s especially important for our older audience as it deals with a family being outsiders, and how Stella and her family deal with that in a fun way. Our older audience are adjusting to changes in their lives, be it new schools or groups of friends and it is really important for them to see people dealing with change being reflected on our screens.”
Royals Next Door features a seasoned ensemble cast of Irish voiceover actors including Paul Tylak, Cathy Belton, Dermot Magennis, Thommas Kane Byrne and Aileen Mythen. The cast is led by real-life siblings Sophie and Erin O’Brien, who play Princess Stella and Princess Molly.
Andrew Byrne, Television Manager, Screen Ireland, said, “We are delighted to support Royals Next Door and the talented work of Ink and Light and the broader creative team. Reaching and connecting with younger audiences is an important part of our support and creative investment. We very much look forward to seeing the adventures of Stella and family translate with children across Europe in the coming months’.
Other commissioning broadcasters are Radiotelevisión Española in Spain, YLE in Finland and KETNET in Belgium. Dandelooo has international distribution rights. The series is supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Belga Production, Belga Film Found, Creative Europe – Media Programme of the European Union, Institut Català De Les Empreses Culturals, Instituto DeCrédito Oficial, Business Finland Audiovisual Incentive, Finnish Film Foundation, Screen Flanders, Vaf/ Media Fund and the Government of Ireland.