Palm Royale is a super-glamourous Apple TV Plus drama set in the 1960s. Palm Beach in Florida has long been a playground for the rich and famous, and the series transports us back there in the 1960s, when fitting into its glitzy high society could make or break you.
Based loosely on the novel Mr and Mrs American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, the 10-part drama stars Bridesmaids' Kirsten Wiig as Maxine Simmons, a woman who is determined to force her way into America’s most influential clique. The series also stars Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas and Amber Julia Duffy, with special guest appearances from executive producer Laura Dern, Bruce Dern and The West Wing’s Allison Janney.
Here’s everything you need to know about Palm Royale on Apple TV Plus…
Palm Royale release date
Palm Royale is now streaming on Apple TV Plus. The series original premiered on March 20, with three episodes available on release.
New episodes have been dropping on the Apple streaming platform on a weekly basis; the next one will land on Wednesday, April 24. The series finale airs on May 8, 2024.
Need help picking your next show? Check out our guide to the best Apple TV Plus shows we think you should be streaming right now, or flick through the full list of Apple TV Plus Originals and everything that's on the platform.
Is there a trailer Palm Royale?
Yes there is! You can get a taste of 1960s Florida in the Palm Royale trailer, which you can find below...
Palm Royale plot
Palm Royale is set in 1969. It follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she tries to break into Palm Beach high society... but it isn't easy for the have-nots to join the ranks of those who want for nothing. Palm Royale sees Maxine questioning how much of herself she’s willing to sacrifice to fit in.
To be accepted by the Florida elite, Maxine must win the approval of Palm Royale’s queen bee Evelyn Rollins (Allison Janney). Unfortunately for Maxine, Evelyn doesn’t like her…
"Evelyn is perceived to be the doyenne of Palm Beach society," explains Allison Janney. "On the surface, she exudes power and competence, but we soon discover she’s vulnerable underneath. She’s desperate to hold onto her position and she’s afraid she’ll be bumped out of it. So there’s definitely a fragility and fear there."
Indeed, Maxine soon discovers that, beneath the style, glamour and opulence of Palm Royale lies a dark underbelly of secrets and sabotage, and it forces her to question how much she’s willing to sacrifice to reach the top.
"These women don’t want to move into the future,’ shares Janney. "They are holding on to the past and holding on to the way they want the world to be."
As Maxine navigates this world of status and social snobbery, she meets political activist and feminist Linda Shaw (Jurassic Park’s Laura Dern) who relishes being an outsider. "While these women are trying hard to belong, Linda’s happy to be outside this community, particularly in 1969 in the US where there is a fever pitch of the civil rights movement, Woodstock and hippie culture," says Laura Dern.
"Linda’s searching for radical change. We soon learn why this matters for her, what her challenges are, and how she confronts the world of the Palm Royale – a place that she actually has a deep connection to."
Palm Royale cast — Kristen Wiig as Maxine Simmons
Kristen Wiig plays social climber Maxine in Palm Royale. She’s best known for her role as Annie in the 2011 film Bridesmaids. She’s a regular on Saturday Night Live and has also starred in A Boy Called Christmas, Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar, Bless the Harts, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, The Martian, and The Last Man on Earth.
Who else stars in Palm Royale?
Palm Royale includes a range of wonderful cast members. In addition to Kristen Wiig, the series also stars Ricky Martin as Robert, Allison Janney as Evelyn, and Laura Dern as Linda Shaw, with Kaia Gerber playing manicurist, Mitzi. Josh Lucas (Yellowstone), Bruce Dern, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy and Carol Burnett also guest star.
Laura Dern and her father Bruce Dern are starring together for the first time in Palm Royale. "I’ve had the privilege of working with my mom [Diane Ladd] several times," says Dern. ‘And now working with my dad has been one of the great experiences of my life. It’s been something we’ve longed to do. There’s been nothing more fun than getting to act with a legend like Carol Burnett and my own father to help create this massive spectacle of a period piece."
Kaia Gerber is a 22-year-old rising star and happens to be the daughter of 1990s supermodel, Cindy Crawford. Bearing a striking resemblance to her mother, Gerber also started out as a model and is now making a successful transition into acting, starring in American Horror Story.
"Viewers can expect a lot of fun from Palm Royale," says Gerber, who is dating Elvis star Austin Butler. "The other actors have been heroes to me for so long and I’ve learned so much from working with them. It’s been a total pinch-me moment."
Behind the scenes and more on Palm Royale
Palm Royale is written, executive produced and showrun by Abe Sylvia for Aunt Sylvia’s Moving Picture Company, plus it's executive produced by Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons for Jaywalker Pictures, Kristen Wiig, Katie O’Connell Marsh, Tate Taylor and John Norris for Wyolah Films, Sharr White, and Sheri Holman and Boat Rocker. The series is directed by Taylor, Sylvia, Claire Scanlon, and Stephanie Laing.
