American Royals Netflix drama: Huge win for 4 beloved books
In what Deadline called a very competitive situation, Netflix has landed “American Royals,” a drama series based on Katharine McGee’s bestselling young adult novels, for development, Deadline reported exclusively on Thursday, Oct. 1. The American Royals Netflix project is in development, with Alloy Entertainment behind the book franchise.
The books ask a simple question: What if George Washington had been crowned king of the United States instead of elected president? The series follows his royal descendants in a modern-day America still ruled by the House of Washington.
What the American Royals Netflix series is about
The first novel, published Sept. 3, 2019, centers on Princess Beatrice, heir to the throne and in line to become America’s first queen, along with her sister, Princess Samantha, and Samantha’s twin brother, Prince Jefferson. Deadline summed up the romance at its core: two princesses fighting over the crown and two young women fighting over the prince.
Ember, a Random House Children’s Books imprint, published the four-book series: “American Royals” (2019), “Majesty” (2020), “Rivals” (2022) and “Reign” (2023). A prequel novella, “Inheritance,” followed in 2022, according to Deadline.
Who is making it
Ted Malawer will write the adaptation. He co-wrote the film version of “Red, White & Royal Blue,” another YA hit about young royals, and previously wrote for Netflix’s limited series “Halston,” starring Ewan McGregor.
Malawer will executive produce with Leslie Morgenstein, president and chief creative officer of Alloy Entertainment, whose credits include “Purple Hearts” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Warner Bros. Television, Alloy’s parent company, is the studio, Deadline reported.
Alloy’s YA track record
Alloy has a long history of turning page-turners into TV. Its books led to “Gossip Girl,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “You.” The company also has the YA series “The Probability of Miracles” in production for Prime Video, plus the Netflix holiday movie “In a Holidaze,” due later this year, per Deadline.
The American Royals Netflix deal lands as YA adaptations keep drawing big streaming audiences. Deadline pointed to Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “Off Campus,” and Netflix’s “Wednesday,” “Outer Banks” and “Ginny & Georgia.” The “To All the Boys I Loved Before” films and “Red, White & Royal Blue,” which has a sequel on the way, also proved the appetite for teen romance.
Book-to-screen deals have been busy elsewhere, too. Hulu recently picked up a “Thornbird” TV adaptation, and Netflix has a packed slate this fall, as our Netflix October 2026 guide shows.
When will ‘American Royals’ premiere?
No cast, episode count or premiere date has been announced. Because the American Royals Netflix series is still in development, it has not yet received a formal series order. Check our TV and streaming coverage for American Royals Netflix updates.