Palm Royale is the gorgeous 1960s throwback show you need to add to your watchlist

There’s nothing more seductive or addictive than a story surrounding a social outsider who wants in.

Enter Palm Royale, the new 1960s-set nostalgic TV series starring Kristen Wiig. It is reportedly loosely based on Mr and Mrs American Pie, a novel by Juliet McDaniel that explores the story of a Palm Springs socialite’s meltdown after her husband leaves her for his secretary.

In the book, she pours her efforts into entering a beauty pageant, but when it comes to the TV series we are guessing the pageant is symbolised by Florida’s Palm Beach high society.

Add in a smidgen of Gossip Girl, White Lotus and The Talented Mr Ripley and you’ve got Palm Royale. Here’s what we know about the series so far.

What is Palm Royale about?

The show’s synopsis reads: “An ambitious woman named Maxine Simmons (played by Kristen Wiig) schemes to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach high society circa 1969”.

“As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots, Palm Royale asks the same question that still baffles us today: “How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice to get what someone else has?” a further description from Apple TV+ adds. “Set during the powder keg year of 1969, Palm Royale is a testament to every outsider fighting for their chance to truly belong.”

Wiig’s character sets her eyes on the exclusive high society group after being dropped by her husband and social circle, quickly asking herself what it will be take to be accepted by this new elite community.

Who has been cast in Palm Royale?

Joining the Bridesmaids star is icon Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Bottoms star Kaia Gerber and Carol Burnett. Pop singer Ricky Martin will also appear, as well as Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson and Mindy Cohn. Wiig is also an executive producer on Palm Royale, as is Laura Dern.