HBO Max’s Prince George Show Has Been Delayed After Prince Philip’s Death

The Prince, HBO Max’s satirical animated series about seven-year-old Prince George, is taking a time out. In the wake of Prince Philip’s recent death, the show has delayed its release date, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Inspired by Family Guy and Will & Grace writer Gary Janetti’s parody Instagram account, the series was expected to debut in “late spring,” per the outlet.

Janetti’s viral memes imagine Prince George’s unfiltered inner musings about everything from pop culture to Megxit. It was announced in January 2020 that the account, which has nearly a million followers, would be adapted into an animated series. On April 4, Janetti (who writes, executive produces, and voices the lead character) shared an Easter–themed preview of The Prince. In it, Prince George dyed eggs on Instagram Live while interacting with users, including Lisa Rinna. But five days after Janetti teased that the show was “coming soon,” Prince Philip died at age 99.

The royal’s death apparently cast a complicated light on the show, which depicts Prince Philip (voiced by Dan Stevens) in a deteriorating state. Per a THR source, “the series does not portray the husband of Queen Elizabeth in the most flattering of ways.” Neither Janetti nor HBO Max confirmed if the character is being reimagined in the wake of Philip’s death. “We were saddened to learn of Prince Philip’s passing and will adjust plans for the series debut,” an HBO Max rep told THR. “A new date will be announced at a later time.”

The Prince, which has been described as a “biting, satirical look at the life of Prince George of Cambridge, the youngest heir to the British throne, as he navigates the trials and tribulations of being a royal child,” boasts an A-list voice cast. In addition to Janetti as George, and Stevens as both Philip and Prince Charles, the ensemble includes Sophie Turner as Princess Charlotte, Orlando Bloom as Prince Harry, Condola Rashad as Meghan Markle, Lucy Punch as Kate Middleton, Alan Cumming as George’s butler, Owen, Frances de la Tour as Queen Elizabeth, and Iwan Rheon as Prince William.

“It’s satire. It’s a completely fictionalized world,” Janetti told Vanity Fair about balancing fact and fiction in his portrayal of the royal family. “In my mind, it’s very affectionate. Even as snarky as George can be, it’s only out of his own pettiness and insecurities. We have to be able to laugh at them—just the fact that we have a monarchy in 2020 is a bit ludicrous.”

Prior to his TV show deal, Janetti also spoke to V.F about the origins of his Prince George persona, which he assumed in 2017. “I see him as King Lear, but at age four,” Janetti explained. “I think he considers people forces to be reckoned with. King Lear was fighting to keep his crown, and not die, but George is the opposite. He’s being driven mad by the power that’s being dangled in front of him—of being the most powerful man in world.”

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