While fans of Call the Midwife eagerly await the season 16 premiere, a lesser-known ITV period drama is being hailed as the perfect replacement. The Royal, originally a spin-off of the hugely popular series Heartbeat, has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase since its debut in 2003.
What Is The Royal?
Set in the 1960s, The Royal chronicles the lives of staff and patients at the fictional St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital, an NHS establishment serving the rural seaside town of Elsinby and its surroundings. The series ran for eight seasons and 87 episodes before its cancellation in 2011. It features an ensemble cast including Ian Carmichael, Wendy Craig, Julian Ovenden, Robert Daws, Zoie Kennedy, Amy Robbins, and Linda Armstrong.
From Heartbeat Spin-Off to Standalone Success
Originally conceived as a spin-off of Heartbeat, another popular ITV medical period drama, The Royal initially shared crossover elements and cast members. However, by its fourth season, these connections were dropped, allowing the show to develop its own storylines and character arcs. The series was a much-loved success until its cancellation, which left fans devastated.
Filming Locations and Spin-Off
Most exterior scenes were captured in North Yorkshire, including Scarborough and Whitby. Interior hospital sequences were filmed at St Luke's Hospital in Bradford and The Leeds Studios. The show's popularity led ITV to commission a daytime spin-off in 2007 titled The Royal Today, which updated the setting to contemporary times with a new cast. However, it lasted only one season before being axed in 2008.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Comparisons
Viewers have praised The Royal for its period authenticity, acting, and storytelling. One IMDB user wrote: "Recreation of medical past, this show is amazingly good. The songs from the 60's are tastefully interwoven throughout. The acting is natural and gripping." Another commented: "This show exemplifies the quality of British television. The writing, dialogue and character development is on point." A third viewer called it "outstanding," noting: "The action was outstanding each minute of each episode, the blood looked real, loved the coastal scenery, and the acting top notch."
Comparisons to Call the Midwife are common. One IMDB user stated: "Watched this on BritBox through Amazon and was hooked immediately. I was really into Call the Midwife, but haven't watched the episodes that I recorded from earlier this year. This show was very quaint and had a real air of enjoying itself."
Where to Watch
The Royal is available to stream for free on ITVX, offering fans a chance to binge-watch all 87 episodes while waiting for Call the Midwife's next season, prequel, and feature-length film.
