After creating a cultural phenomenon like Mad Men, Matthew Weiner had the creative freedom to pursue any project he desired. As a former Sopranos writer, Weiner had already proven his ability to elevate television to new heights. So when he returned in 2018 with The Romanoffs on Prime Video, expectations were sky-high. The series, which reportedly cost $50 million across eight episodes, featured a star-studded cast including Mad Men alums Christina Hendricks and John Slattery. Yet it left many viewers and critics underwhelmed upon release. But in an era where royal family dramas like The Crown dominate the cultural conversation, Weiner's misfired anthology about delusional heirs to royalty is ripe for a second look.
What Is 'The Romanoffs' About?
Each episode of The Romanoffs tells a standalone story about people who believe they are descendants of the Russian royal family, specifically Tsar Nicholas II, the last monarch before the 1917 revolution. The cast is a who's who of talent: Aaron Eckhart, Corey Stoll, Isabelle Huppert, Amanda Peet, Diane Lane, Kathryn Hahn, and Noah Wyle (surprisingly not playing a doctor). Each episode runs like a short film, connected only by the characters' shared pride in their supposed royal lineage. The settings range from hotel owners to suburban workers with pent-up rage, Mexican gossip columnists, and even a meta episode about an actor starring in a miniseries about the Romanovs.
The ambition here dwarfs even Mad Men. Amazon gave Weiner a seemingly endless budget to realize his vision, and the result is a series that feels both liberating and, at times, overindulgent. The characters are empowered and obsessed with their false heritage, and grandeur permeates every frame. More than just a spiritual presence of the Russian family, the episodes are linked by a sense of longing and frustration—a feeling of being trapped in gilded cages. It's a fitting companion to Mad Men.
Why It's Worthy of a Second Look
Despite its illustrious cast and revered showrunner, The Romanoffs has largely faded from memory. That's not entirely surprising—the dense themes and heavy-handed approach can be exhausting. Critics often called it "self-indulgent," and the series' aggressive confrontation of privilege and desire validates that critique. Where Mad Men was focused, Weiner bit off more than he could chew here. As with many anthologies, you often wish you could just focus on one story. The grand thesis ultimately falls flat.
But The Romanoffs is exquisitely crafted. The $50 million budget is stretched to its maximum; every set and costume bursts with rich texture. Weiner's eye for visual detail is impeccable, using locations from New York to Mexico City to Austria as perfect backdrops. There's an inherent sadness permeating this epic treatise on disillusionment in modern America. The heartbroken characters cling to their flimsy royal lineage for validation, echoing the empty void of life that was central to Mad Men. The key ingredient is that these characters wish to belong inside a great Russian novel, only to experience the mundane, unceremonious perils of real life.
If you're a fan of period dramas like The Gilded Age or The Crown, The Romanoffs offers a darker, more introspective take on royalty. It's a show that rewards patience and a willingness to embrace its flaws. And with Prime Video continuing to invest in ambitious projects—like Jack Ryan: Ghost War—this forgotten gem deserves a spot on your watchlist.
