There’s some movement in the court of Netflix’s ‘The Royals’. Word is that Jasmeet K. Reen, who made quite an impression with ‘Darlings’, will be at the director’s chair for the second season, taking over from Nupur Asthana. The Ishaan Khatter vehicle is due to get a tonal make-over, with pre-production in motion and cameras rolling in July 2026.
The creative shake-up and why it matters
You can’t just put Reen in and call it a day. ‘Darlings’ made it clear she has a way with a story and a bit of a dark sense of humour. That kind of sensibility should put some steel in the show’s emotional core without losing its verve. We’re looking at a better mix of the charm and edge that make or break a romcom.
If you were into the back-and-forth but craved more substance, this is your sign. It doesn’t so much feel like a do-over as a fine-tuning of what was there.
Who is in and who may move on
Industry sources have it that Nupur Asthana won’t be back; she’s tied up with another Netflix thing for Ekta Kapoor. Priyanka Ghose, on the other hand, is likely to stick around with ‘The Royals’ and see things through with Reen at the reins.
Then there’s the talk about the cast. Some are saying Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan’s co-star in the first go-round, might not be in the frame for Season 2. Nothing is set in stone, but the rumour mill is churning in line with the rest of the retooling.
Production timeline and what to expect
Things are already in gear. Pre-production is a go and we should see principal photography in July 2026. They’re keeping the plot close to the vest for now, which only makes you wonder more about where they’re heading with the characters.
Key takeaways so far
Here’s what you need to know:
– Reen is on for Season 2
– Nupur is out for other work
– Priyanka Ghose to be part of it
– In pre-prod; shoot in July 2026
– Bhumi may be a no-show
Reen has a full plate
She’s also got a period piece in the works about Madhubala, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on board and Sara Arjun of ‘Dhurandhar’ to play the part. The plan is to put ‘The Royals’ to bed before turning to the biopic down the line.
Being in two places at once can be a good thing. A director with a strong point of view and some recent success tends to have firmer instincts.
What’s next for fans?
We’ll have to wait for Netflix to put something on the record as to who’s in and who’s out. If the hunch about Pednekar is right, the dynamic between the leads could be completely re-drawn. Not a small thing for a follow-up.
Mark your calendar for July 2026 when the film starts. After that, you’ll have a better idea of how Reen is going to put her spin on the romance and drama. For the moment, let’s say it’s the lull before a more well-crafted tempest.
