Photo:Prime Video
Prime Video
But finding the perfect actors to portray these two men in the popular book’s film adaptation was an “exhausting” process, according to director Matthew López.
“It was about a five-month, very consistent search for both these characters,” López told PEOPLE in 2023. “I saw hundreds — I mean, quite literally hundreds and hundreds — of actors for it. And because the thing that compelled me to make this film was the characters, I knew I couldn’t make the film unless I had the two perfect actors for the roles.”
The Kissing Booth 2’s Taylor Zakhar Perez andPurple Hearts' Nicholas Galitzine turned out to be the best talent to bring Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry to life. Joining them on-screen are Hollywood veteransUma ThurmanandStephen Fry, who play U.S. President Ellen Claremont and the King, respectively, in the Amazon Prime Video film.
Here’s everything to know about the cast ofRed, White & Royal Blue.
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Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz
Prime Video ; Craig Barritt/Getty
Taylor Zakhar Perez, 31, plays Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the U.S. president who falls in love with Prince Henry.
“He really wants to make his family proud and he’s an overachiever,” Perez told PEOPLE of his character, adding that he could relate to Alex’s “blue-collar” upbringing. “Alex is a blue-collar kid in an extraordinary situation. We’re most alike in that way because I come from a very blue-collar family.”
Perez’s first major role was starring as Marco Peña inThe Kissing Booth 2(2020) and its sequel (2021). He also had a guest role onMinx.
On top of acting, Perez is a celebrity ambassador for the outdoor retailerMerrell, with which he curated a collection of fashionable hiking clothes and accessories.
02of 07Nicholas Galitzine as Prince HenryPrime Video ; Karwai Tang/WireImageNicholas Galitzine, 28, plays Prince Henry, a British royal who falls in love with President Claremont’s son Alex.Though Galitzine said Henry is “completely different from me in so many ways,” the actor found a connection in his character’s selflessness. “The thing that really interests me about characters is this deep well of vulnerability and emotion that is always brimming below the surface, and Henry has that in spades,” he told PEOPLE.Galitzine has starred in the Irish dramaHandsome Devil(2016) as well as hits likeCinderella(2021) andPurple Hearts(2022).After the release ofPurple Hearts, Galitzine told PEOPLE he wasn’t sure what projects were in his future. “I’m not one of these five-year-plan people because this job is so ephemeral and it changes at every moment,” he said. “I try and set myself short-term goals.”His next project, besidesRed, White & Royal Blue, is already complete. He’ll star alongsideJulianne MooreinMary & George, a period drama following Mary Villiers’ plot to kill King James I.
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Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry
Prime Video ; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Nicholas Galitzine, 28, plays Prince Henry, a British royal who falls in love with President Claremont’s son Alex.
Though Galitzine said Henry is “completely different from me in so many ways,” the actor found a connection in his character’s selflessness. “The thing that really interests me about characters is this deep well of vulnerability and emotion that is always brimming below the surface, and Henry has that in spades,” he told PEOPLE.
Galitzine has starred in the Irish dramaHandsome Devil(2016) as well as hits likeCinderella(2021) andPurple Hearts(2022).
After the release ofPurple Hearts, Galitzine told PEOPLE he wasn’t sure what projects were in his future. “I’m not one of these five-year-plan people because this job is so ephemeral and it changes at every moment,” he said. “I try and set myself short-term goals.”
His next project, besidesRed, White & Royal Blue, is already complete. He’ll star alongsideJulianne MooreinMary & George, a period drama following Mary Villiers’ plot to kill King James I.
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Uma Thurman as President Ellen Claremont
Prime Video ; Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic
Uma Thurman, 53, plays Ellen Claremont, Alex’s mother and the first female president of the United States.
Next up, Thurman willact alongside her daughter Mayain the art heist filmThe Kill Room. The film also starsSamuel L. JacksonandJoe Manganiello.
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Stephen Fry as the King
Stephen Fry, 65, plays Prince Henry’s grandfather, the King.
The actor has had a long career in entertainment. He was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1998 for portraying Oscar Wilde in the biopicWilde(1997), starred in the Oscar-nominated ensemble filmGosford Park(2001) and appeared as the Master of Lake-town inThe Hobbitfilm franchise (2013–2014). From 2003 to 2016, he hosted the British comedy quiz showQI.
In 2015, when Frymarried comedian Elliot Spencer. The two share a relatively private relationship.
Next up, Fry will join the hit dramaThe Morning Showfor season 3 in September 2023.Deadlinereported that Fry will also host the British and AustralianJeopardy!reboots.
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Sarah Shahi as Zahra Bankston
Prime Video ; Charley Gallay/Getty
Sarah Shahi, 43, plays Zahra Bankston, President Claremont’s deputy chief of staff.
Speaking toSlashFilm, Shahi said to expectRed, White & Royal Blueto be like an old-school comedy. “Stylistically, the movie is going to feel like some of the old movies from the ’30s and ’40s,” the actress said. “Like a Howard Hawks, like aCary Grant,Katharine Hepburn, that kind of screwball comedy. So yeah, it was just amazing. It was all in London and it was almost like a paid vacation."
Before joiningRed, White & Royal Blue, Shahi was known as an accomplished television actress, having had starring roles in series likeThe L Word(2005–2009),Person of Interest(2013–2016) andSex/Life(2021–2023). She also starred in the 2022 blockbusterBlack Adam.
From 2009 to 2021, Shahi was married to actorSteve Howey, best known for starring as Kevin inShameless. Shahi and Howey sharethree kidsand separated in 2020. She has been dating herSex/LifecostarAdam Demossince 2020.
06of 07Rachel Hilson as Nora HolleranPrime Video ; Gregg DeGuire/GettyRachel Hilson, 27, plays Nora Holleran, the granddaughter of the vice president and Alex’s good friend.BeforeRed, White & Royal Blue, Hilson appeared in the political dramaMadam Secretaryin 2016 and starred in the LGBTQ romantic seriesLove, Victorfrom 2020 to 2022. She’s also had a recurring role inThis Is Usand a main role in HBO’s biopic seriesWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.Next up, Hilson will star in the upcoming FBI crime thriller seriesDusteron Max.
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Rachel Hilson as Nora Holleran
Prime Video ; Gregg DeGuire/Getty
Rachel Hilson, 27, plays Nora Holleran, the granddaughter of the vice president and Alex’s good friend.
BeforeRed, White & Royal Blue, Hilson appeared in the political dramaMadam Secretaryin 2016 and starred in the LGBTQ romantic seriesLove, Victorfrom 2020 to 2022. She’s also had a recurring role inThis Is Usand a main role in HBO’s biopic seriesWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.
Next up, Hilson will star in the upcoming FBI crime thriller seriesDusteron Max.
07of 07Ellie Bamber as Princess BeatricePrime Video ; Sebastian Reuter/GettyEllie Bamber, 26, plays Princess Beatrice, Henry’s sister.Born in Surrey, England, Bamber appeared in several British television series before landing roles in films likePride and Prejudice and Zombies(2016),Nocturnal Animals(2016) andThe Nutcracker and the Four Realms(2018). In 2022, she starred in the Disney+ seriesWillow.In 2023, Bamber toldInStylethat she doesn’t have a particular career plan. “I just say yes to what’s really interesting, that’s basically the only rule,” said Bamber.In 2023,Deadlinereported that Bamber will star as supermodelKate MossinMoss & Freud, a film about the model’s work and unexpected friendship with painter Lucian Freud.
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Ellie Bamber as Princess Beatrice
Prime Video ; Sebastian Reuter/Getty
Ellie Bamber, 26, plays Princess Beatrice, Henry’s sister.
Born in Surrey, England, Bamber appeared in several British television series before landing roles in films likePride and Prejudice and Zombies(2016),Nocturnal Animals(2016) andThe Nutcracker and the Four Realms(2018). In 2022, she starred in the Disney+ seriesWillow.
In 2023, Bamber toldInStylethat she doesn’t have a particular career plan. “I just say yes to what’s really interesting, that’s basically the only rule,” said Bamber.
In 2023,Deadlinereported that Bamber will star as supermodelKate MossinMoss & Freud, a film about the model’s work and unexpected friendship with painter Lucian Freud.
source: people.com
