Prepare for an intimate and unprecedented look inside a modern royal fairy tale when “Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story” premieres globally on Netflix on September 16, 2025. This feature-length documentary follows Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her fiancé, self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett, as they navigate the intense public scrutiny and logistical whirlwind of planning their highly controversial wedding. The film promises to go beyond the headlines, offering a raw and personal portrait of a couple determined to celebrate their love on their own terms, despite facing a maelstrom of media criticism, public skepticism, and the immense pressure that comes with marrying into a royal family.

Directed by the acclaimed Rebecca Chaiklin, the documentary provides exclusive access to the couple’s inner circle, including their friends and groomsmen who support their union. At its heart, the film is a love story that challenges tradition, convention, and perception, exploring the complexities of blending two vastly different worlds—the structured, centuries-old institution of European royalty and the spiritual, non-traditional realm of a Hollywood shaman. It’s a story about defying expectation and the price of living an authentic life in the public eye.

Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story Cast names & roles

– Prinsesse Märtha Louise as Self

Princess Märtha Louise, the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, is the central figure of this documentary. Having relinquished her official royal duties in 2022 to focus on her commercial activities and her relationship with Verrett, she enters this new chapter as a woman striving to balance her birthright with her personal choices. The film will undoubtedly explore the immense pressure she has faced from the Norwegian public and media, who have been deeply critical of her relationship and her embrace of alternative spiritual practices. Her journey is one of a modern woman caught between duty and desire.

As a protagonist, Märtha Louise offers a unique perspective on the constraints of royalty and the pursuit of personal happiness. The documentary will likely delve into her relationship with her family, particularly her parents, as they navigate this very public and unconventional path. Viewers will see her not just as a princess, but as a mother, a partner, and a individual grappling with the cost of her choices, providing a deeply humanizing look at a figure often seen only through a tabloid lens.

– Durek Verrett as Self

Durek Verrett, a sixth-generation shaman, spiritual guide, and author, is the other half of this unlikely pairing. The documentary will follow him as he steps into the blinding spotlight of international scrutiny, facing accusations of being a charlatan and a opportunist from much of the Norwegian press and public. The film promises to explore his background, his beliefs, and his perspective on the relentless criticism, offering him a platform to tell his own story directly to a global audience, unfiltered by media sensationalism.

Verrett’s presence challenges the very foundation of traditional royal protocol. The documentary will capture his experience of being an African-American man entering the predominantly white, conservative world of European aristocracy, and the cultural clashes that ensue. His relationship with Märtha Louise is a central study in how love can bridge seemingly impossible divides, and the film will showcase his role not just as a controversial figure, but as a devoted partner trying to build a life with the woman he loves amidst a storm of controversy.

– Rebecca Chaiklin as Director

The project is guided by the skilled hand of director Rebecca Chaiklin, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for her sensitive and character-driven work. Chaiklin co-directed the critically acclaimed Netflix documentary Tiger King, showcasing her ability to navigate complex, unconventional, and sensational stories with a narrative drive that captivates audiences. Her experience makes her uniquely qualified to handle this sensitive and high-profile subject matter with both intrigue and empathy.

Chaiklin’s direction will be crucial in determining the film’s tone. She has the opportunity to either lean into the sensational aspects of the story or to craft a more intimate, sympathetic portrait of the couple. Her access to the couple’s private moments during the wedding planning process suggests a fly-on-the-wall approach that will aim to foster understanding and present a nuanced perspective on a relationship that has been predominantly defined by public conflict and criticism.

– The Inner Circle: Groomsmen and Friends

The documentary also features the couple’s close friends and supporters, who provide a crucial outside perspective and a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. Lars Berteig Andersen and Kent Speakman serve as groomsmen, standing by Durek’s side and representing his chosen family. Their presence highlights the support system the couple has built for themselves outside of royal circles.

Matthew Dennis Lewis and Derek Warburton are featured as friends and wedding guests. These individuals likely provide candid interviews and behind-the-scenes moments that reveal the couple’s dynamic away from the cameras. They represent the community that affirms and celebrates their relationship, offering a counter-narrative to the public criticism and showcasing the love and loyalty that surrounds Märtha Louise and Durek as they prepare for their big day. Their inclusion grounds the royal story in the universal language of friendship and support.