Bhumi Pednekar exits Netflix's The Royals Season 2 for THIS reason? All we know so far

Bhumi Pednekar will reportedly not return for the second season of The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter, as the makers plan to take the Netflix series in a completely new direction.

According to multiple reports, the upcoming season is expected to move away from the central romantic storyline and instead focus more heavily on the royal family dynamics and the larger palace world.

Makers reportedly changing the show’s direction

The first season of The Royals revolved largely around the romance between Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar’s characters. However, reports now suggest that audience reactions pushed the creators to rethink the narrative for Season 2.

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According to a report in Mid-Day, the creative team is now interested in exploring the larger family dynamics and world-building established in the debut season rather than continuing the love story at its centre. It mentioned, “When you do a romance, it is the story that leads. When the show came out, what resonated [with the audience] was the family, Ishaan [Khatter], Sakshi [Tanwar], Zeenat, and the world of ‘The Royals’, which feels different.”

“We left season one with an unresolved romance. There was no decision to carry it forward. There was no fight with Bhumi. The makers are simply letting the story lead forward organically in the second season,” the report quoted a source.

Bhumi Pednekar reportedly exploring different projects

Reports also claim Bhumi is now focusing on projects with darker and more layered narratives. Some reports further suggested the actress may be taking time away from lighter romantic roles after mixed reactions to the first season. Neither Bhumi Pednekar nor Netflix has officially confirmed the exit yet.

The Royals became one of Netflix India’s most talked-about shows

Released in 2025, The Royals featured Ishaan Khatter as a reluctant royal heir opposite Bhumi Pednekar’s entrepreneur character. The series blended romance, palace politics and comedy against the backdrop of a struggling royal family trying to revive its fortunes.

Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, the show generated significant online buzz and was renewed for a second season shortly after release. However, Bhumi Pednekar was trolled for her appearance, something that she later revealed had caused a mental toll on her.