PER-OLAV SØRENSEN DIRECTS FEATURE FILM "ROYALTEEN" FOR NETFLIX

BASED ON RANDI FUGLEHAUG'S AND ANNE GUNN HALVORSEN'S ACCLAIMED BOOK

July 9, 2021 - He carries a nation on his shoulders. She carries lies on hers. Can there be a future for the King-to-be and the girl next door with the big secret?

Today Netflix announced Royalteen, a Norwegian Netflix film based on The Heir, first book in the acclaimed young adult series Royalteen by Randi Fuglehaug and Anne Gunn Halvorsen. The film will be directed by Per-Olav Sørensen (Quicksand, Home for Christmas, Nobel) and Emilie Beck (When you left, Do you want me back?), and produced by Janne Hjeltnes at The Global Ensemble Drama.

The Norwegian language film stars Ines Høysæter Asserson (Lena), Mathias Storhøi (Prince Kalle), Elli Müller Osborne (Margrethe), Filip Bargee Ramberg (Arnie), Amalie Sporsheim (Ingrid), Ina Dajanna Ervik (Tess), Hannah Larsen Walberg (Fanny), Vår Sørensen Grønlie (Astrid), Niels Skåber (Gunnar) and Carmen Andrea Høilund (Guro).

Royalteen is a love story about living with your mistakes, conquering your fears and breaking the internet. When prince Karl Johan (Mathias Storhøi), Kalle amongst friends, and newcomer Lena (Ines Høysæter Asserson) start to develop warm feelings for each other, Lena is charmed but also sceptic, for many reasons. Party prince Kalle is a regular figure in the tabloids and the gossip blogs - one of them was run anonymously by Lena herself, until she was exposed. Lena is painfully aware that dating the future king might put them both in an impossible situation and she has not told Kalle or anyone else about her even bigger secret, which is also the reason why she moved from her hometown.

Per-Olav Sørensen, director says: "We need to create more content for young adults showing love in both authentic, shy, helpless, vulnerable and sensitive ways. With Royalteen we're hoping to fill some of that gap. This story covers many relevant topics for young people today and together with my directing partner Emilie Beck we hope to tell a contemporary love story filled with humour, vulnerability and passion. This modern Cinderella-story is both fascinating and entertaining."

Claire Willats, Director, International Original Film Nordics: "I am thrilled to introduce our first YA film from Per-Olav. He has a unique ability to fill his stories with heart and soul and I can't wait for him and Emilie to work their magic and bring this modern fairy tale to life."

Creative team:

Directors: Per-Olav Sørensen and Emilie Beck

Writer: Ester Grenersen

Concept: Per-Olav Sørensen

Producer: Janne Hjeltnes

DOP: Håvard Byrkjeland

Production Design: Kristine Wilhelmsen

Costume Design: Oddfrid Ropstad

Royalteen will release globally on Netflix in 2022.

www.netflix.com/royalteen

About The Global Ensemble:

The Global Ensemble Drama is a production company spearheading creative talent developing, creating and producing TV Drama, movies and documentaries. The company was founded in 2020 by director Per-Olav Sørensen and is run by CEO and producer Janne Hjeltnes. From its base in Oslo - Norway, the company joins forces with international and global streaming platforms, broadcasters as well as domestic partners. The Global Ensemble Drama also develops and co-produce together with a wide range of international production companies, producers and studios.

About Netflix:

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 208 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.