Sexed-up TV show ‘The Royals’ sends up royal dysfunction, majestic mayhem

TORONTO – There’s little to take seriously in the campy new drama “The Royals” — a sexed-up show from E! about the scandalous lives of a fictional royal family.

But amidst all the mayhem, there is at least a modicum of attention paid to portraying proper regal behaviour, which co-star Alexandra Park credits to her “very English” co-star, Elizabeth Hurley.

The Australian actress, who plays rebellious princess Eleanor to Hurley’s imperious Queen Helena, says the “Austin Powers” star acted as a bit of an informal etiquette expert on set, pointing out little-known dos and don’ts as filming went on.

“She’s like, ‘No, we would never have that colour flowers for this event. And you can’t wear that,’” Park recalled in a recent phone interview from Los Angeles.

“She just knows everything. It’s crazy.”

Park said Hurley and co-star Joan Collins lend a dash of Hollywood majesty to the over-the-top series, which revels in the ignoble exploits of a royal brood sent reeling when the heir apparent dies suddenly.

While the partying Eleanor attracts tabloid gossip for her wild escapades, her brother Liam, played by William Moseley, courts his own controversy by romancing the daughter of the family’s head of security. That headstrong young woman, who becomes a target for the queen, is played by B.C.-bred actress Merrit Patterson.

Despite all the pomp and circumstance, viewers should be able to connect to the basic struggles these characters face, Moseley said.

“You’re trying to find your place, you’re trying to take on all these responsibilities and my character is kind of like dealing with doubt on a very high level,” said Moseley in a separate interview from Los Angeles.

Rather than allude too much to the lives of actual royals, Moseley said the series makes a point of charting its own outlandish course.

“You have a girl serving food in a French maid outfit — you know what I mean? Which obviously wouldn’t happen in the royal palace.”

Park said that performing opposite Hurley and Collins (who plays the Grand Duchess of Oxford) in one memorable scene was as intimidating as meeting an actual royal. She recalled a humbling moment with the actresses waiting for their scene to be set up.

“It was me in a Sex Pistols T-shirt and next to me is Elizabeth in some Dolce & Gabbana amazing dress and then there’s Joan Collins in some incredible thing that she’s designed herself,” she said.

“And I had to shake (myself) … looking at those two and then me. (I thought), ‘This is really surreal.’”

“The Royals” debuts Sunday on E!.