Exclusive Interview: Jenny Boyd and Max Rinehart on Vulnerability, Chemistry, and Bringing ‘Royally Screwed’ to Life

Jenny Boyd and Max Rinehart prove Royally Screwed is more than fit for the crown. In the film, the duo heat up the screen as they embody two beloved literary characters, approaching the material with a level of nuance and specificity that honors what readers have long cherished on the page while making the roles distinctly their own. The result is a romance that feels both faithful to its roots and effortlessly lived-in.

At the center of Royally Screwed is a modern royal romance ignited by a chance encounter between Prince Nicholas (Max Rinehart), a rebellious royal chafing against expectation, and Olivia (Jenny Boyd), a sharp-witted Manhattan waitress who refuses to be swept up in palace pageantry. As their undeniable chemistry begins to deepen, what starts as an unexpected connection quickly evolves into something far more complicated. With tradition, tabloids, and palace politics closing in, the pair must decide whether love is strong enough to withstand the scrutiny—and rewrite the rules.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Jenny and Max to discuss the responsibility that comes with stepping into a passionate fan-favorite world, the intentional work behind building trust and vulnerability both on and off screen, and the pivotal moments in Royally Screwed that carried the most pressure—and excitement—to get right.

PC: Jenny, you’re no stranger to stepping into projects with dedicated fanbases. With this film being adapted from a New York Times bestselling novel, how familiar were you with the source material? How did you find that intersection between honoring what readers love about this character while making her your own and meeting her where you were at the time of filming?
Jenny: Oh wow—that’s an amazing question, thank you. I wasn’t familiar with the source material until I heard about the project, and then I listened to the book. They did a great job adapting it. Passionflix really likes to stay very, very loyal to the books, so that’s what we led with.

Olivia was an amazing character, and I loved playing her. She has a lot going on and so much depth. Honestly, I found it relatively easy to connect with her and her circumstances.
PC: Max, Nicholas undergoes such a drastic transformation from when we first meet him, where he’s not necessarily the easiest to root for. How much do you think his behavior is a defense mechanism for his grief? What was that process like for you mapping out that progression?
Max: That’s another great question. It actually made him easier to play because, in the first fifteen minutes, he’s not the best guy in the world. All of that made it much easier to lean in. You can read those opening moments and think, “I’m going to make him seem nicer,” but having that backstory gave me the freedom to really go there and make it as truthful to the situation as possible. He’s a bit drunk, he says things he probably shouldn’t—and that’s a wonderful place to work from. You’re essentially trying to find your way back and win Olivia’s heart. It was a fun journey to embark on. Sophia [Kiapos], the team, and Jenny made it so easy as well.

PC: I love how these characters hold each other accountable throughout, so everything feels so earned. Jenny, there’s such a strength in the way Olivia shows up for others, but also this really relatable vulnerability when she begins to open herself up to what she wants. How did you approach portraying someone who is so used to putting others first while also creating space for herself? Because it feels so grounded and lived-in.
Jenny: Thank you so much. I did a lot of backstory work with our director, Sophia, and that really paid off. It was so wonderful to go on this journey with her. Olivia is in this position where she’s trying to be selfless, but of course she can’t resist this incredible adventure with Prince Nicholas. That sense of escapism is really what draws people to this genre—and hopefully to this film as well.

PC: Max, Nicholas is constantly living in that tension between duty to his country and his heart. How did you approach that internal conflict without losing sight of who he is beneath the expectations?
Max: His journey is really about shedding his skin. He has such a clear persona, so it was a lot of fun to peel back those layers scene by scene with Jenny as Olivia. I’m English, and we talk about this all the time—the royal family is so present. You’re very aware of the things they have to do. It’s all out there, and you can really draw on that. In some ways, it felt quite natural.

PC: The chemistry between the two of you is so palpable. I love that as their relationship grows, Olivia and Nicholas are able to share parts of themselves that they haven’t shared with others. That vulnerability feels like such a reflection of what you both do as storytellers. Was there a scene or behind-the-scenes moment that embodies who your costar is as a person?
Max: I love these questions. They’re so good.

Jenny: They’re really thoughtful.

Max: I’m instantly thinking of the scene where the kids come into the café. It’s such a sweet moment. You and your character are such givers. For the first time, she’s receiving this act of kindness. I thought it was really sweet.

Jenny: Thank you. I’m trying to rack my brain.

Max: None of those beginning scenes, I hope.

Jenny: Oh no. I don’t know why I’m thinking about the first day we filmed on the pier, which got cut. But I know how much you like music, and in the book she finds out his favorite band and takes him to their gig—and he’s really happy and excited about that. I loved filming those montages.

PC: I also find it interesting how you can gauge who these characters are by those closest to them. Which relationship helped inform your character the most? How different is building those dynamics as opposed to the one your characters share?
Jenny: For me, it’s Olivia’s relationship with her sister, which I found so easy to identify with because I also have a sister that I’m very close to. I really love that dynamic. She’s the older sister, so she’s very protective and very proud of her sister. That was the most informative relationship.

Max: Equally for me, it’s Nicholas’ relationship with his brother. Nicholas has this shadow side to him, and he can be a bit of an arse, but Harry, his brother, takes it even further. So it forces Nicholas to step into this leadership role, particularly with him. Being the leader of a country can feel quite abstract, but being the leader within your family unit is much more relatable. That was easier to get into. I really enjoyed all of their scenes—they felt quite real.

PC: This is the first romance project that you’ve both worked on, and there’s a lot of technicality that most people don’t realize. What was the most surprising part about playing in this genre that you’ll bring to a future project?
Max: It’s the vulnerability. I watched a bunch of rom-coms and romance films before filming, and the ones that really worked are the ones that tap into that vulnerability. You have to see that on screen. Being able to access that with each other is going to be so useful to bring into future projects because, ultimately, that’s what we want to see from actors.

Jenny: I’d second that. It’s a really special environment when you can share that level of trust with everyone.

PC: Going back to what we were saying earlier, there is such a dedicated fanbase for this project, and there are moments audiences are especially excited to see brought to life in this medium. Was there one in particular that you felt a responsibility to bring to life?
Jenny: For me, it’s Nicholas and Olivia’s first kiss. I really enjoyed the writing in that scene, the way it turned out, and the way it was lit and shot. It’s a beautiful moment. It’s the turning point in the film and when they’re really vulnerable with each other for the first time.

Max: Mine is the scene at the end. It’s the moment when he has to prove himself as a man and as a leader. When I read the book, I was like, I’m sold on this character. There was a little bit of extra pressure—good pressure, though—on that scene.

Make sure to follow Jenny (Instagram) and Max (Instagram). Watch Royally Screwed on Passionflix.

Photo Credit: Passionflix