Sky History commissions drama-doc from Nutopia lifting lid on The Royal Mob

Drama-documentary series The Royal Mob

Sky History in the UK has commissioned a four-part drama-documentary on the extended royal family that once ruled the whole of Europe, from Jane Root’s Nutopia prodco.

The Royal Mob is a coproduction between A+E Networks UK and pay TV broadcaster Sky and will premiere on Sky History in November.

The 4×60’ drama documentary tells the saga of the extended royal family – dubbed by Queen Victoria “The Royal Mob” – that once ruled the whole of Europe, and how their loves, marriages and feuds dragged the continent into the world’s first total war and violent revolution.

Told through the eyes of Queen Victoria’s favourite granddaughters, the four Hesse sisters – each of whom married into Europe’s royal courts – the series lifts the lid on the family tensions.

It combines premium scripted drama from writers Jamie Brittain (Skins, Breeders) and Abigail Wilson (Ten Percent, Trollied, The Tail of The Curious Mouse and Larkins) with expert historians Emma Dabiri (Hair Power, Me and My Afro) and authors Simon Sebag Montefiore (The Romanovs: 1613-1918, Young Stalin), Priya Atwal (Royals and Rebels) and Miranda Carter (The Three Emperors).

The role of Queen Victoria will be played by Michele Dotrice (Vanity Fair, The Importance of Being Earnest).

From A+E Networks UK, the series was commissioned and executive produced by Dan Korn, VP of programming, with Diana Carter, commissioning editor and head of talent.

From Sky the series was commissioned by Zai Bennett, Sky’s MD of content, and Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries. Hayley Reynolds, commissioning editor, will serve as executive producer for Sky.

Ben Goold and Jane Root exec produce alongside showrunner Tom Stubberfield for Nutopia.