Ishaan Khatter Returns for 'The Royals' Season 2, Bhumi Pednekar Exits

Netflix has officially announced the second season of its popular comedy-drama series 'The Royals', with production beginning on Tuesday. Actor Ishaan Khatter will reprise his role as Prince Aviraaj Singh, while Bhumi Pednekar, who played the female lead in the first season, will not return for the upcoming instalment.

The second season will be directed by Nitya Mehra and Tanuj Chopra. Veteran actor Zeenat Aman, along with Sakshi Tanwar, Vihaan Samat and Kavya Trehan, will reprise their respective roles, Netflix announced.

Created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy, the first season premiered in May 2025 and featured the romance between Aviraaj, a carefree prince of the financially struggling royal family of Morpur, and Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, a self-made entrepreneur portrayed by Pednekar.

The story revolved around their efforts to transform the crumbling royal palace into a luxury bed-and-breakfast. However, their contrasting personalities, ambitions and family rivalries eventually led to an unexpected romance. The series gained international recognition, entering Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English TV Shows in 58 countries.

According to Netflix, the second season will expand the fictional royal universe, with more kingdoms, new alliances, rivalries and romances. The makers have promised a larger narrative featuring complicated relationships, humour and family drama.

Creators Rangita and Ishita Nandy said the overwhelming response to the first season made their journey with the show special. They expressed excitement about bringing back familiar characters while exploring new dimensions of Morpur and its royal family.

Tanya Bami, Series Head at Netflix India, said the upcoming season would explore Morpur more deeply while expanding its storyline through new characters and relationships. She also expressed confidence that the new directors would take the show's combination of romance, humour and drama to another level.

Netflix has not yet announced the release date for the second season.