Orlando Bloom Defends 'The Prince' Series, Says It's Not Malicious

Orlando Bloom voices the role of Prince Harry in the new HBO Max animated series The Prince, which has been facing some backlash for how it portrays the royal family.

The 44-year-old actor, who is actually now neighbors with Harry in Santa Barbara, previously spoke out to defend the series and explain how it doesn’t have a malicious intent.

The Prince is a satirical take about the imagined inner workings of the royal family through the eyes of an animated Prince George, the youngest heir to the throne, as he spills all the royal “tea” on his family, followers, and the monarchy. The series is created, written, and executive produced by four-time Emmy nominee Gary Janetti, who also voices the role of George.

Click inside to see what Orlando Bloom had to say…

Orlando spoke to The Hollywood Reporter back in August 2020 after he signed on for the series.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen Gary’s Instagram but he’s incredibly funny and has a very affectionate and witty way of commenting on the royal family. Initially, I was like, ‘Hmm, how do I feel about this,’ because I’m a British boy who’s very proud of my roots. I understand how the royal family is loved by some and loathed by others, and I’ve always understood it as part of my heritage and background. I’m not someone who wants to poke fun at anyone normally, but this was so clever, witty and affectionately done. Actually Katy saw one bit of it and was like, ‘You’ve got to do this. This is genius.’ And the animation is done by some of the guys who did Family Guy, so it’s going to be very amusing. And who doesn’t love the royal family?” Orlando said about his decision to join the show.

Orlando also defended the satirical take on the royal family.

“We’re showing real adoration to them in one form or another. I try to justify it, because quite frankly, if I’m honest, it’s not like me to poke fun at anyone but it is done with affection. When I was in my mid-20s, there was so may different people poking fun at me and, in a way, it’s a sign of appreciation,” he said.

Orlando added, “It’s not malicious or intended to be. He’s really got his finger on the pulse, Gary. He’s so smart and so zeitgeisty. I rolled the dice on it, but I’m going to have to mention it to Prince Harry when I next see him, because I’m not going to be able to not. Oddly, I’m sure I’m going to see him at some point, just because of the nature of the universe, it always throws people together.”

Make sure to check out the trailer for the new series, which is streaming on HBO Max.