The Royals is an American primetime television drama soap opera that premiered on E! on March 15, 2015. Created by Mark Schwahn and starring Elizabeth Hurley, it is the network's first scripted series. It began as a loose adaptation of the 2011 Michelle Ray novel Falling for Hamlet. E! renewed it for a second season two months before its debut, and picked up a third season on January 5, 2016. E! renewed it for a fourth season on February 16, 2017, which began airing on March 11, 2018. E! cancelled the series after four seasons in August 2018. Lionsgate Television was shopping the series to other networks with discussions for a pick-up by sister network Pop, but on September 24, Lionsgate failed to find a new home for the series and it was officially cancelled.

Mark Schwahn is an American former screenwriter, director, and producer. He is best known as the creator of the WB/CW teen drama series One Tree Hill. His career abruptly ended in 2018 due to widespread sexual harassment accusations by the show's female cast and crew members during its production.