Cast of ‘Secret Society of Second-Born Royals’ discuss being different and growing up
The Avengers meets Disney royalty meets “The Breakfast Club” in Disney+’s new original movie, “Secret Society of Second-Born Royals,” streaming Sept. 25.
The actors and director of the film held a press conference on Sept. 3. Because of the current times, the cast participated in the junket through video chat.
Sam, played by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, is second in line to the throne of the kingdom of Illyria. Though most girls only dream of being princesses, Sam can’t help but feel overshadowed by her sister who will be crowned queen in a few short weeks. Like most teens, Sam feels like she just doesn’t belong to her prim and proper royal family.
“I was super excited to be a Disney princess. Who gets to say that?” said Lee. “Then when I found out it was not going to be your typical Disney princess, but that they’re second-borns and they don’t fit that sort of ‘princess and prince’ mold, that just made me much more excited. It’s so important to break from what people think you should be.”
Everything changes when she’s forced to go to summer school. There, she meets a group of other second-born royals. A ruse conducted by Professor James Morrow (Skylar Astin) and Sam’s mother, Queen Catherine (Elodie Yung) Sam and the others find out that there is more to them than their royal lineage.
Sam is inducted into the Secret Society of Second-Born Royals alongside Tuma (Niles Fitch), January (Isabella Blake-Thomas), Matteo (Faly Rakotohavana) and her nemesis Roxanna (Olivia Deeble).
The group of teens find out they each have a special ability unique only to them. Together alongside Professor James, each royal learns to control their power as well as work together as a team. However, things go awry when the dangerous Inmate 34 escapes from prison.
Directed by Anna Mastro, this film emphasizes uniqueness and friendship in a modern coming-of-age story. Though taking place in a fictitious kingdom, each character is very real in their own right. Each one faces typical teen problems while facing the changes in their personal life.
Off-screen, these teens are not so different from the characters they play.
“When we were all getting to know each other we had two weeks for production setting with fittings and hair cuts, but all of us were still in high school,” Deeble recalled. “We were in a classroom, and Peyton would be on the other side, and I’d throw stuff at her and we’d look at each other and we’d be laughing.”
While filming in Toronto for a couple of months, the cast of “Secret Society of Second Born Royals” grew incredibly close.
“You guys are my family now. I can’t wait to hopefully do it all again because we had so much fun together,” Blake-Thomas said.
The film is wholesome fun for the whole family and teaches valuable lessons for every age.
“Not everyone can relate to having powers or being royalty, but they can relate to that feeling of being different, or that feeling of having something wrong with you. But figuring out that those strengths actually make you unique and special. They help you find your place in the world,” said Mastro.
Check out the trailer for the new film below, and stream it on Disney+ starting Sept. 25:
