Despite fans calling for “The Prince” to abdicate from HBO Max, Orlando Bloom is standing by the controversial animated series.
The new show, a “Family Guy”-esque spoof on Great Britain’s royal family, has many English people up in arms over the portrayal of their culture — but 44-year-old Bloom, who plays Prince Harry, smited claims of the show having any ill will.
“It’s not malicious or intended to be,” Bloom told The Hollywood Reporter a year ago, going on to praise creator and Prince George voice actor Gary Janetti.
“He’s really got his finger on the pulse, Gary. He’s so smart and so zeitgeisty,” Bloom said.
But the show has drawn fire for its characters — especially children, including the portrayal of 8-year-old protagonist Prince George. “Royal or not, children are off limits,” wrote one commenter on a recent Instagram post by “The Prince” actor Alan Cumming, who plays royal butler Owen and was promoting the premiere episode. “Disappointed in your involvement in this poor excuse for entertainment.” Another Twitter critic summed up the series as an “absolute disgrace.”
“Pirates of the Caribbean” actor Bloom, meanwhile, admitted he “rolled the dice” about doing the show and was ultimately swayed by fiancée Katy Perry, 36.
“Katy saw one bit of it and was like, ‘You’ve got to do this. This is genius.’
“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,” the Kent native added.
While admitting the show isn’t his traditional style, Bloom said, in the end, it was just too good an offer to pass on.
“I’m not someone who wants to poke fun at anyone normally, but this was so clever, witty and affectionately done,” he said.
Bloom also said he would discuss the show with the actual Prince Harry the next time they cross paths.
“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,” Bloom said.
“Who doesn’t love the royal family?”
