As Beta Film’s highly anticipated historical drama Queen Silvia makes a stunning world premiere at MIPCOM, captivating international press and buyers alike, lead stars Alicia von Rittberg and Edvin Endre reflect on capturing the intimate human reality behind one of modern royalty’s most iconic, gilded love stories.
When Queen Silvia (A Royal Secret) was first announced under the global distribution banner of Beta Film, critics and industry insiders wondered how a modern period piece could navigate the well-trodden corridors of European royal history without slipping into sterile reverence or overly romanticized fairytale tropes. The buzz reached a fever pitch following its high-profile world premiere at MIPCOM Cannes, where the series commanded massive attention from international media and global buyers.
Early reviews and press coverage have widely praised the show for its nuanced direction, rich 1970s period detail, and above all, its commitment to pulling back the heavy velvet curtains to reveal a deeply human drama. Rather than framing Silvia Sommerlath’s trajectory merely as a classic “Cinderella tale,” the series explores the immense personal, cultural, and institutional weights resting on two young people caught between personal devotion and public duty. At the very heart of this critical acclaim is the undeniable, electric dynamic between stars Alicia von Rittberg and Edvin Endre, who bring warmth, vulnerability, and ground-level authenticity to two of Scandinavia’s most prominent historical figures.
In this exclusive interview, Alicia and Edvin sit down to discuss building onscreen chemistry, handling the pressure of portraying living monarchs, and stepping back into the vibrant, transformative world of 1970s costume and culture.
The love story of King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia is one of the most iconic moments in modern Swedish history. As actors from different cultural backgrounds, how did you build that onscreen chemistry to recreate the initial spark of their 1972 Munich meeting?
Alicia von Rittberg: Well, I think chemistry is something that’s hard to recreate, when there’s none, there’s none! We were just very lucky because from the beginning, it was just there. It was so much fun to work together with Edvin; it felt like playing tennis, just going back and forth. Thinking about it now, I think it actually helped that he is Swedish and I’m German, so we naturally brought different backgrounds to the table. We both prepared our different worlds. For me, Silvia grew up in Germany and was half-Brazilian, so I learned a bit of Portuguese and we did movement coaching together to be more precise with the period.
Edvin Endre: You know, I think that movement coaching helped a lot. It broke that physical barrier between us as colleagues.
Alicia von Rittberg: Exactly! During the 1970s, proximity meant something completely different than it does today. The movement coach would tell us, “Whoa, you’re so close!” in the ’70s, being that close would have practically meant you were already married! So getting adjusted to that etiquette and getting it into your body really helped.
Edvin Endre: Definitely. The public perception of royal figures is often that they are stiff and conservative. What we realized early on was that in all our intimate, behind-closed-doors scenes, where the actual love story takes place, everything needed to feel completely natural, normal, and human. We were playing two 27-year-olds who just fell in love. We didn’t want to fall into the trap of portraying rigid “royal people.” We wanted to focus on the human side as much as possible.
Playing real, living public figures, especially a reigning King and Queen, comes with a lot of pressure. How did you manage that responsibility?
Alicia von Rittberg: Edvin was dying from the pressure because he’s Swedish! For me, being German helped me stay a bit more distant from the monarchy aspect.
Edvin Endre: Everyone was telling me, “Don’t think too much about it,” but I was panicking like, “No, we have to do this, we have to get this right!”
Alicia von Rittberg: But it makes sense; it is a real responsibility. You try to be as respectful as possible without doing them wrong. But we aren’t trying to mime them or create a documentary, nor are we claiming, “This is exactly how it happened.” We are interpreting events from our point of view and making them approachable, so the audience can see the real people behind the public figures.
The series is officially premiering here at MIPCOM 2026 and setting off a lot of global excitement. How do you think this distinctly Scandinavian story will resonate with international audiences?
Alicia von Rittberg: I think it’s a universal story. In Germany, for example, we don’t have a monarchy, but I was drawn to the script because it’s such a compelling love story about two people from different worlds trying to make it work.
Edvin Endre: Absolutely. The scripts don’t sugarcoat things or treat it like a simple fairytale. There’s a giant elephant in the room: the weight and responsibility of an ancient institution. It feels like a gilded cage story in many ways.
Alicia von Rittberg: Exactly. It’s not a Cinderella story where she’s dreaming of becoming a queen; it’s more like, “Despite all of these overwhelming hurdles, how do they make their relationship work?”
Edvin Endre: And they both held immense respect for that historical institution, which makes the stakes even higher. I think that grounded, human approach is what will connect with people worldwide.
The series captures the 1970s aesthetic so vividly. What was it like stepping into that era through the costumes and sets?
Alicia von Rittberg: It was so much fun! I loved the costumes, the aesthetic, and the music—it was such an exciting era to dive into.
Edvin Endre: Our costume designer Miriam and the entire costume department were incredible. We had tailors working around the clock, tweaking every detail week after week to make sure everything looked flawless. The visual detail of the era really elevates the show.
Alicia von Rittberg: It was also such a fascinating time for women. Silvia was already a very progressive, independent, and successful career woman at a young age. Playing her struggle to transition into this heavy royal role while holding onto her independence was deeply inspiring. I came away from this project feeling truly empowered by her story by her story.
