Netflix has released the trailer for Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, a feature documentary that dives into the unconventional romance between Norway’s Princess Märtha Louise and Hollywood spiritual guide Durek Verrett.
Premiering September 16, the film follows the couple as they prepare for their wedding, confront relentless media attention, and pursue spiritual meaning in the midst of public scrutiny.
The project is helmed by Emmy-nominated director Rebecca Chaiklin (Tiger King) and produced by Emmy winner Chris Smith (FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, Wham!). Together, they frame the story not simply as tabloid fodder but as a study of love, image, and belief colliding in the global spotlight.
Watch the Trailer
A Royal Romance in the Spotlight
The film positions Märtha Louise, the Norwegian king’s eldest child, and Verrett, a self-proclaimed shaman, as unlikely figures in a transatlantic fairy tale. Their relationship has drawn fascination and criticism, particularly in Norway, where royal tradition clashes with the couple’s spiritual practices and candid public presence.
Chaiklin has said her interest began with a Vanity Fair profile. “A princess and a shaman falling in love instantly caught my eye. They were charismatic, funny, and totally unexpected. It was a great fish-out-of-water story,” she explained. The documentary captures not only the couple’s humor but also the tensions around their union.
Behind the Camera
The creative team includes Chaiklin as director and producer, with Smith and Stacy Smith producing alongside her. The film comes from Library Films and Article 19 Films, both of which have established reputations in documentary storytelling.
Like Chaiklin’s Tiger King and Smith’s FYRE, Rebel Royals is expected to combine access with cultural critique, using its subjects’ openness to explore themes of identity, belonging, and media spectacle.
Key Details
Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story will premiere globally on Netflix on September 16. The feature documentary runs under the direction of Rebecca Chaiklin and is produced by Chris Smith, Rebecca Chaiklin, and Stacy Smith. It is produced by Library Films and Article 19 Films, and follows the relationship between Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett as they balance love, spirituality, and scrutiny.
Looking Ahead
Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story arrives at the intersection of personal intimacy and global curiosity. By centering Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett’s relationship, the film promises a candid look at the complications of love under the public gaze. With Chaiklin and Smith steering the project, the documentary adds depth to what could easily have been treated as scandal, offering instead a study of character, culture, and resilience.
The Poster
