In the past, same-sex relationships were not the primary focus of TV shows. In the ’70s show, Soap, Billy Crystal portrayed one of TV’s first major gay characters. While he wasn’t the lead, he was part of the ensemble. More typically, the portrayal was peripheral. In <em>Friends</em>, we had Susan and Carol’s lesbian wedding. Now, in the 2020s, we are seeing stories that illustrate the varied and complex relationships same-sex couples experience.

The latest entry into this world is the Canadian series, Heated Rivalry, which airs on Max in the United States and has become a hit. It follows the years-long rivalry and secret romance between two star hockey players and explores how they hide their relationship from the world while competing at the highest levels of professional sports. If you’re captivated by this forbidden romance between two people navigating intense public scrutiny, then you’ll definitely love the Netflix Swedish teen drama Young Royals.

What Is ‘Young Royals’ About?

Like Heated Rivalry, Young Royals centers on a secret same-sex relationship in a high-pressure, elite world – only instead of professional hockey, it’s the royal family. The ability to craft a grounded, heart-wrenching, and incredible story is thanks to the great minds of show creators Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, and Camilla Holter. Throughout Young Royals’ three-season run, it received critical praise and earned a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Netflix series follows Prince Wilhelm of Sweden (Edvin Ryding), who is sent to an elite boarding school where he becomes involved with Simon (Omar Rudberg), a working-class classmate. What begins as an unexpected connection evolves into a dramatic and complicated romance that tackles homophobia, social class divides, and the suffocating constraints of a constitutional monarchy.

Similar to Heated Rivalry’s Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozonov (Connor Storrie), Wilhelm has to deal with the pressures of being a public person. Wilhelm has made a series of mistakes before the series begins, and he’s dealing with public scrutiny and pressure from his mother, Queen Kristina of Sweden (Pernilla August). Over three seasons and 18 episodes, Wilhelm has to decide what duty and status really mean to him. Will he listen to his cousin, August (Malte Gårdinger), who takes Wilhelm under his wing and is determined to keep the Prince from falling into the “wrong crowds”?

Moreover, Wilhelm is forced to hide his relationship and homosexuality from the world. He is part of a larger system and an important family, which is expected to take precedent over every other aspect of his life. This kind of dissonance creates tension within Wilhelm throughout the series as he struggles to reconcile his monarchical role with his true identity.

On the other hand, Simon has to deal with the reality of his interest in and involvement with the Prince of his country, even as he questions the existence of a constitutional monarchy in the first place. Moreover, there is a stark social class difference between him and his classmates. He’s ostracized by many of the students for being a non-residential scholarship student, alongside his sister, Sara (Frida Argento). The rich students are wealthy beyond comprehension, and Simon understands the reality that Wilhelm is part of that group. He is constantly struggling with whether he can accept the truth about who Wilhelm is rather than ignore it and naively think it wouldn’t affect their relationship.

‘Young Royals’ Is More Than Wilhelm and Simon’s Relationship

While Heated Rivalry focuses mainly on its two leads, Young Royals features a large ensemble cast and many plotlines. At first, August seems like the awful bully who thinks he’s better than anyone else and is constantly trying to control Wilhelm. However, the show creates a story beyond just the basic tropes.

Simon’s sister, Sara, lives with Asperger’s and constantly masks and plays the part of an engaged student as she tries to make friends. Her path from the first episode to the finale takes an unexpected turn but it is an important piece of representation for the neurodivergent community. Another major character is Felice Ehrencrona (Nikita Uggla), a child of new money who frequently deals with the realities of existing in a space where she isn’t always included as a woman of color. With the help of a substantial ensemble, Young Royals tackles multiple issues from addiction to racism and creates a world that feels three-dimensional and never falls flat.

Both shows capture the tension of hiding love while living under a spotlight, proving that whether you’re a prince or a pro athlete, some romances are worth the risk. With its critical acclaim, 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, and emotionally grounded storytelling, Young Royals delivers everything Heated Rivalry fans crave: forbidden romance, high stakes, and characters who must choose between duty and love.