Characters appearing in Young Royals (2021)
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Main Characters
Prince Wilhelm
Prince Wilhelm
Played By: Edvin Ryding
The Protagonist. The crown prince to Sweden, who has recently been sent to boarding school in an effort to protect the royal family's reputation.- '90s Hair: Has stylish curtains in the first season.
- Affectionate Nickname: Often called Wille by those close to him.
- Always Someone Better: Wilhelms's spent his entire life being compared to his older brother Erik. After his death, Wilhelm attempts to become more like him.
Word of God says this comes from his belief that Erik was always perfect, and there must be something wrong with him for not being able to match Erik's behavior. - Ambiguously Christian: Always seems to be wearing a cross necklace and was confirmed, but his denomination or level of adherence is never specified. Justified, as all members of the Swedish Royal House are required to be Protestant Christians by law.
- Bear Hug: Has a tendency to give these.
- Character Tics: Often bites his nails, rubs his chest, or messes with his hair when anxious, nervous, or uncomfortable. Also chews gum to soothe his anxiety.
- Closet Gay: Justified, since he's a member of the royal family and being queer would be considered a scandal.
- Coming-Out Story: Defied. After being forced out of the closet, he decides to deny the rumors.
- Played straight in the season 2 finale.
- Et Tu, Brute?: Even though he might not like him, Wilhelm was convinced he could trust August.
- Gayngst: Averted. Although he can't be public about his sexuality, he doesn't really want to either. His own feelings about sexuality aren't what stops him from being open about his relationship with Simon, but rather what other people think it means for the Throne.
- I Just Want to Be Normal: His primary conflict is his royal duties conflicting with his desire to stay out of the spotlight and live a normal life.
- In-Series Nickname: Wille.
- Informed Ability: Used to do horseback riding and is implied to know how to play the piano, but the most we see of either is him teaching Simon how to play the school's song.
- Lonely Rich Kid: Before attending Hillerska, it seems that most people around him used him for clout. At the end of season one, his brother is dead, Simon broke off their relationship, and August betrayed him, leaving him almost entirely alone.
- Nothing Is the Same Anymore: After the end of episode 3.Wilhelm to August: Everything's, like, upside down. I don't know how to act, what to feel. I shouldn't even be functioning as a human being because my... brother is, like, dead. And here I am, partying."
- Please, Don't Leave Me: To Erik when he tries to go home after getting Wilhelm settled in at Hillerska.
- Rebel Prince: Almost got away with doing his own thing until the worst case scenario happened and he became first in line to the throne.
- Self-Harm: After having a fight with Simon, Wilhelm is seen hitting his head repeatedly with his palms.
- Shout-Out: According to headwriter Lisa Ambjorn, his name was picked because it's a traditionally royal name but hasn't been used by a prominent royal in decades, but also a little bit as a reference to Skam.
- Single Tear: When Simon breaks up with him, and then again when he calls his mom and finds out she already knew it was August who leaked the video.
- Slave to PR: Unwillingly.
- Spare to the Throne: Spent his entire life being raised as one, and as a result didn't have much reverence for his family's traditions or his reputation, which ends up biting him in the ass come the end of episode 3 when Erik dies and Wilhelm automatically becomes crown prince.
- Successful Sibling Syndrome: Literally born to be Erik's back up. After Erik's death, his idolization of his do no wrong brother doesn't help him feel any more confident.
- Symbolism: His snow globe of a frog prince is quiet effective in relaying Wilhelm's own feelings about his life.
- Uptown Boy: A member of the rich nobility who falls in love with working class Simon.
Simon Eriksson
Simon
Played By: Omar Rudberg
A scholarship student at Hillerska boarding school who lives at home in town with his mother and sister. He catches Wilhelm's eye in the first episode, and the two quickly form a bond.- Beautiful Singing Voice: The lead in the Hillerska choir.
- Brainy Brunette: A very competent student. He's shocked when he gets a C on a test at Hillerska after having straight A's at his old school.
- Chronic Hero Syndrome: According to Sara, this is his biggest downfall.Sara: Simon, you can't keep giving people a chance! That's your problem! You always want to help people. First you tried to help Dad, then me, and now Wilhelm. You keep letting people piss on you!
- Closet Key: Is one to Wilhelm. Word of God even states Wilhelm never felt anything romantic for anyone before meeting Simon.
- Deuteragonist: He has his own storyline outside of his relationship to Wilhelm, many solo scenes, and many of his actions shape plot.
- Eat the Rich: Has absolutely no problem announcing his less than favorable opinion of the rich to his class of wealthy, teenage heirs. One of whom is a literal prince.
- Scholarship Student: Can't pay the exorbitant dormitory fees, but his musical talent, high grades, and proximity to the campus allow him to be a non boarding student.
- The Only One I Trust: He is this to Wilhelm.
- Ordinary High-School Student: Totally normal dude in a school full of rich teenagers and literal royalty.
- Penny Among Diamonds: Attends Hillerska, which is such an elite school that it's the go-to for the royal family, but has a very modest home and can't afford the price for private tutoring on his own.
- Pretty Boy: In one of the only times a character in the show is explicitly complimented on their appearance, Wilhelm calls him beautiful.
- The Teetotaler: The only teenager in the show who explicitly doesn't drink.
August Horn of Årnäs
August
Played By: Malte Gårdinger
The popular second cousin of Erik and Wilhelm, and a third year student who is prefect and the captain of the rowing team. Early on, he is tasked with guiding Wilhelm through his introduction to Hillerska.- Authority in Name Only: A popular third year who tries to call the shots, but when it comes down to it, the Society follows Wilhelm's plan.
- After Wilhem leads the first years in rebelling against his authority in season 2, the third years get fed up with the lack of discipline and replace him with Vincent.
- Big Man on Campus: Definitely thinks he's one.
- Clashing Cousins: Wilhelm thinks August is insufferable, and August is jealous of him for seemingly disregarding all of the luxuries his position as the Prince grants him in favor of living a "normal" life.
- Didn't Think This Through: Posting the video.
- Dumped via Text Message: Even worse, Felice dumps him via Instagram story.
- Freudian Excuse: According to Erik, August's personality stems from the aftermath of his father's suicide.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Mainly to Wilhelm, but his third year friends also have very little problems turning their back on him when given the occasion.
- Getting High on Their Own Supply: Sells drugs to pay back Simon, then proceeds to indulge on them during his secret society's party.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Tells Sara that his problem with Wilhelm is how he has everything— status, money, family, but doesn't care about any of it, which is why he leaks the video of Wilhelm and Simon.
- Heel–Face Revolving Door: While he always was a Jerkass, he starts out as an ally of sorts to Wilhelm, until he leaks the video of Wilhelm en Simon online in a fit of jealousy. When Wilhelm finds out that August leaked the video, August seems at first genuinely remorseful and silently endures Wilhelms' attempts to punish him (by removing him from his position as prefect and captain of the rowing team) and even considers turning himself in to the police. When he finds out he's the Spare to the Throne however, he goes full Manipulative Bastard in an attempt to secure the position of crown prince for himself, including setting up Alexander as scapegoat for the video leak and threatening to have Simon arrested for drug dealing if he or Wilhelm reports him to the police.
- Impoverished Patrician: Descendent of the Swedish royal family and child of two aristocrats who finds out that he's completely broke.
- Jerk Jock: The most prominent antagonist of the series and a dedicated member of the rowing team who spends most of his free time working out.
- Karma Houdini: August essentially distributed child pornography of the future king of Sweden online, but even though he caused a major scandal and there's evidence (and a witness) of him doing so, his connection to the royal family (since he's now Spare to the Throne after Erik's death) keeps him safe from persecution - the court is even actively (albeit begrudgingly) grooming him to take over as crown prince due to Wilhelms attempts to rebel. While it's pointed out several times that the evidence would normally be more than sufficient to have someone convicted (and possibly even serving jail time), the only consequence August had to face so far is that (due to Wilhelms intervention) he's removed as prefect and captain of the rowing team.
- Old Money: Årnäs has been in his family since 1768.
- Pet the Dog: For all his faults, he does seems to genuinely care for Sara, even selling artwork from his late fathers estate so he can buy back her favorite horse.
- Undying Loyalty: Claimed to have this to the monarchy. And look how that one turned out.
- Working Out Their Emotions: Is more often than not found in the gym working out. The intensity of his workout increases dramatically with the more conflict he's going through.
Felice Ehrencrona
Felice Ehrencrona
Played By: Nikita Uggla
A well liked student at Hillerska who went to preschool with Wilhelm. She develops a friendship with Sara.- Childhood Friends: Met Wilhelm in preschool, but the two aren’t particularly close.
- First Friend: Becomes this to Sara.
- Follow in My Footsteps: Felice's mother certainly wants her to do this. Whether it's not being able to control her horse, or not being able to zip up the heirloom Lucia dress, Felice just can't seem to live up to the expectations her mother sets. Finally stands up for herself in episode 5 and passes the role of Lucia onto Sara instead.
- Interclass Friendship: Builds one of these with Sara.
- Lovable Alpha Bitch: Downplayed. Although she was short with Sara before they became friends, she's genuinely just a kind character who wants the best for everyone.
- Nice Girl: From what we seen of her after episode one, she's definitely the friendly person in the series, after Wilhelm rejected her, she helped him with his sex tape.
- Nouveau Riche: Although her mother and grandmother have been going to Hillerska before her, Felice's family doesn't stem from nobilty.
- Patient Childhood Love Interest: Had a crush on Wilhelm before they even started going to Hillerska together, having met during early childhood. Everyone, especially August, seemed to think that Felice and Wilhelm were going to get together. In an unusual twist, she was more into what Wilhelm's status would mean for her than Wilhelm himself. She wasn't upset for too long after Wilhelm rejected her, after all.
Sara Eriksson
Sara
Played By: Frida Argento
Simon's sister.- Hates Their Parent: Resents her father for his addictions.
- Friendless Background: Had no friends while studying at Marieberg and hadn't managed to make any within her first month at Hillerska. That is, until Felice came along.
- I Just Want to Be You: The more time she spends with her rich friends at Hillerska, the more she wants to live the same lifestyle as them. It eventually causes her to kiss August, even knowing that he was the one who leaked the video.
- Innocently Insensitive: Doesn't realize that she shouldn't tell Felice's parents that she's mostly the one who rides Rousseau.
- Interclass Friendship: She's a working class girl who befriended Felice, who is rich.
- Scholarship Student: She and Simon are excellent students transferred to Hillerska from the local school. At the end of the season, August offers to help her find grants so she can board with the rest of them.
Hillerska Students
Alexander Bragé
Alexander
Played By: Xiao-Long Rathje Zhao
A first year student at Hillerska who is often seen following August’s orders.- The Scapegoat: Threatens to tell the headmistress everyone who was involved in the party the night he got caught if they don’t find a way to stop his expulsion. Ultimately, the group does the opposite and claims Alexander was trying to sell them drugs.
Fredrika
Fredrika
Played By: Mimmi Cyon
A female Hillerska student who’s good friends with Felice, Sara, Madison, and Stella.- Innocently Insensitive: Has a lot of questions about what Wilhelm’s sexuality would mean for him as king. She doesn’t say them to him directly, but Felice still tells her to stop discussing it with Stella.
Henry
Henry
Played By: Fabian Penje
A first year student at Hillerska who’s a part of The Society.- Everybody Knew Already: A very downplayed but impressive example— he guessed that something was going on between Simon and Wilhelm during the movie night in the second episode.
- Shutting Up Now: After trying to break the ice with Wilhelm post-video leak.Henry: Did you watch the game last night?Wilhelm: No.Henry: Okay.
Madison McCoy
Madison
Played By: Nathalie Varli
Felice's roommate and friend who speaks entirely in English.- Does Not Like Men: Downplayed. Doesn't 'hate' men and hooks up with Nils after the party in episode 1, but a good portion of her dialogue pertains to her disliking or being dismissive of many male characters.
- Does Not Speak Common: All of her lines are in English while the rest of the series is in Swedish.
- Foreign Exchange Student: An American student who isn't comfortable speaking Swedish yet. Fortunately for her, all the students understand English.
- Teens Love Shopping: Can be heard inviting Simon to America to go shopping in one scene.
Nils
Nils
Played By: Samuel Astor
A third year Hillerska student who’s friends with August.- Closet Gay: It's unclear if he's actually in the closet (he's open towards Wilhelm about hooking up with men, and implies at least August and Vincent are aware), but most people assume he's straight and he doesn't make an effort to correct them. He's also very conscious about how being open about his sexuality could harm his future career.
- Hopeless Suitor: Tells the boys of the Forest Ridge House that he and Madison are totally together… at the same time as she’s telling the girls that they only hooked up because she was bored.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Although blunt, he's not wrong when he points out that, besides being gay, the class difference between Wilhelm and Simon adds an extra layer of complexity to their relationship, and someone from Wilhelms' own social circle would be far more understanding of his obligations towards his family and the need to be discreet.
- Pet the Dog: While he's blunt and looks down on the lower classes, he gives Wilhelm genuine advice, is understanding of the need to be discreet when you're a member of the royal family and even sincerely offers to take him on vacation to introduce him to other gay guys from the same social standing in a more anonymous environment.
Stella
Stella
Played By: Felicia Truedsson
A female Hillerska student who’s good friends with Felice, Sara, Madison, and Frederika.- Innocently Insensitive: Is seen joking with Frederika after the Wilhelm and Simon video leaks about how Frederika would totally be willing to be their surrogate, only for Felice to tell them to stop— he was just outed, afterall.
Vincent
Vincent
Played By: Nils Wetterholm
A third year student at Hillerska and August’s friend.- The Dragon: To August. Turns into The Starscream when Augusts' authority is challenged by Wilhelm and the other first years.
- Drill Sergeant Nasty: Becomes one when he takes over as captain of the rowing team.
- Establishing Character Moment: The first thing he does in the show is call out to Simon, mid performance, to tell him to sing louder. A few minutes later, he’s openly denouncing him for his social standing to Nils.
Walter
Walter
Played By: Uno Elger
A first year student at Hillerska.- Professional Butt-Kisser: In his first interaction with Wilhelm, he and Henry very clearly try to match their opinions to that of the prince to gain his favor.Walter: It’s usually boring as hell.Henry: Yeah, it’s really boring as hell.Wilhelm: Sounds pretty sweet to me.Henry: Oh, yeah, definitely.Walter: It’s awesome just to chill out.Wilhelm: I was kidding.Henry: Yeah, so were we.Wilhelm: You’re allowed your own opinion.
Bjärstad Residents
Ayub
Ayub
Played By: Inti Zamora Sobrado
Simon's friend.- Best Friend: Although he and Rosh make up Simon's inner circle, he has more solo scenes with Simon than her.
Linda
Linda
Played By: Carmen Gloria Pérez
Simon and Sara's mother.- Good Parents: Played with. Is there for Simon and Sara whenever they need her, but when it comes to Sara's problems, she tends to allow Simon to take control instead. When Micke shows up at Lucia, she stands still and doesn't say anything while Sara tells Simon to make him leave.
Micke Eriksson
Micke Eriksson
Played By: Leonard Terfelt
Simon and Sara's estranged father.- Addled Addict: Developed a drug and alcohol addiction before the events of the story, which led to his divorce from Linda and losing the trust of his children, with Sara completely ignoring him and Simon only visiting when it suits his interests.
- Doesn't Know Their Own Child: Based on Simon's blunt announcement of his sexuality and Micke's response, it's likely that he knew his son is gay and forgot.Micke: I remember how it was trying to impress a girl.Simon: I'm gay, Dad.Micke: Oh, right, I'm sorry. A cute guy then.
- Junkie Parent: Combined with Alcoholic Parent, and is the reason his children choose to keep him far away. Most of the time.
Rosh
Rosh
Played By: Beri Gerwise
Simon's friend from his old school.- Happy Dance: Does one in the middle of her football game.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Gives a downplayed version of this to Simon after his confrontation with August in episode 3.
Members of the Royal Family
Prince Erik
Erik
Played By: Ivar Forsling
Wilhelm's older brother and the crown prince of Sweden. He dies unexpectedly in the end of the third episode, leaving Wilhelm to inherit the throne instead.- Big Brother Mentor: Much more adapted to the royal life than his younger brother, and Wilhelm certainly believes that he has all the answers. With familial obligations, he's more likely to advise Wilhelm to suck it up and make their parents proud.
- Forgotten Fallen Friend: Inverted. His death causes an almost overnight change for Wilhelm, who believes that he needs to live up to his brother's legacy. After the video leak, Wilhelm feel his absence very strongly and even tells August that Erik would have known what to do. Kristina also pushes him to act exclusively in the best interest of the monarchy, believing it's the only thing that can give Erik's death any meaning.
- Meaningful Name: Two possible explanations.
- The name Erik means "ever or eternal ruler." Which is ironic. Because, well, you know.
- Prince Erik was a Swedish and Norwegian Prince born in 1889. He died of the Spanish flu in 1918, and his brother, Prince Wilhelm, was the only one with him.
- The Paragon: The series works overtime to use his few scenes to show him as both the perfect Crown Prince and as Wilhelms perfect Big Brother who was always a loving shoulder for him to rest his head on. The fact that Wilhelm lost the Second at the same that he needs to match the first is the irony that is his life.
- Prince Charming: Although not the hero of the story, he's generally well liked among the people he meets and definitely has some serious charisma.
Queen Kristina
Kristina
Played By: Pernilla August
Wilhelm and Erik's mother, the reigning Queen of Sweden.- Consistent Clothing Style: Almost entirely monochromatic outfits, except for when she picks Wilhelm up from school in episode 6 and wears a blue and green coat.
- The Dutiful Daughter: She was raised to inherit the Swedish Crown after her father, the previous King, passed. She was also raised to know that her duty after this was to prepare her own children for the same thing one day.Kristina: Ever since I was born, I knew I would inherit the Crown from Dad. But I had time to adjust and adapt.
- Establishing Character Moment: In her first scene, she's forcing Wilhelm to go to boarding school so the family can prevent any more scandals. When Wilhelm starts biting his nails out of anxiety, she slaps his hand down and leads him into the press room.
- Evil Matriarch: Downplayed. She has moments where she clearly cares for Wilhelm, but her primary objective is to protect the Swedish monarchy, even at the extent of her son's happiness.
- Follow in My Footsteps: Not as much of a problem with Erik, who was relatively comfortable in his role as crown prince. Very strong with Wilhelm— and gets even worse after episode 3.
- Meaningful Name: Out of Real Life Swedens's three reigning Queens, she shares a name
with the only one who wasn't Danish (who basically occupied Sweden) and who actually reigned as Queen, rather than passing the throne onto her husband.- Likely unintentional, but the name sake of the more famous queen Kristina was her grandmother Christina of Holstein-Gottorp who prevented her son Gustavus Adolphus from marrying his sweetheart Ebba Brahe because her social status was not high enough.
- Outliving One's Offspring. Erik.
- Parental Hypocrisy: Justified. Kristina advises Wilhelm to end things with Simon, telling him that she, too had an "unfortunate romance," but has since learned that love is not more importany than everything, especially the monarchy.
Prince Ludvig
Ludvig
Played By: Magnus Roosmann
Wilhelm and Eric's Father, and the Queen's husband.- Only Sane Man: During dinner after Erik's funeral (where's it's implied that he himself made dinner) the Queen suggests that Wilhelm should attend the next days morning meeting so that he could start to learn what it means to be the Crown Prince. His Father after this suggests he should return back to Hillerska soon for as much of a return to normalcy and stability that he can get.
- Second Love: The Queen mentions to Wilhelm that she herself has had gone through an unacceptable First Love before she met his father.
