From Lost Heiress to Royal Highness

starring: COSETTE HATCH & CHARLIE GODDARD

SYNOPSIS

Kidnapped as a child, Grace is then dumped by her fiance on her wedding day. Meanwhile, her long lost family have been looking for her, and a Prince is in search of a wife...

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐

Ah, this one is a bit of a pickle. Lots of things don't make sense (I don't get why Grace hides who she is) but it is so charming and tries so hard I had to review it.

It is totally carried by the leads Cosette Hatch and Charlie Goddard.

As Grace, Cosette Harch is just eminently likable, and has a fabulous little mischievous smile when she is up to no good (I'm thinking the temperature scene). I haven't watched many of her projects and need to correct this pronto

I think this is Charlie Goddard’s first vertical and if casting directors are smart they will be lining up to get him in lots more. But he has been in big things (got Wicked and Barbie on the CV) so not sure if he will stay on Vert Land long. Anyway, he is fab, builds a great relationship with Grace, never overdoes the 'prince thing', throws a good punch, and has a great screen presence.

I'll be honest here the rest is a bit all over the place, the accents are confusing, and I would have loved pretty much all of the characters to have been given more to work with. And why was Cosette Hatch given that Hilda Ogden head scarf and curlers (Corrie reference for the Brits)

BUT there are some wonderful little ideas

- the whole cutting the grass thing, from Grace volunteering to do it to get money, to the visual at the end of the Morgans doing it
- Robert saying that he will not use marriage as a bargaining tool for business. HURRAH..please spread the word to other vertical characters
- Grace pointing out that identity theft is a crime
- some gorgeous locations

And finally for calling Grace's ex-fiance Boris. I don't know if that was on purpose.

But as a nation, I thank you for kneeing him in that area.

You acted for us all when we think of a certain former PM

Bless you.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Well the film makers understand that forearms and a good winter coat are a staple for a male lead. So thank you. A heroic rescue followed by keeping Grace warm also works well!

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

They are all rather inept, Louise is tricked by Grace into revealing all and Luna tries at the end, but even that is just a scratch. I wanted more villainy!

😂 Comedy gold:

I did love Louise totally getting the wrong idea about Grace, her brother, the prince and her father 😂

🎺 Unsung hero:

Those poor confused drivers both getting waved away by Grace and Robert!

✍🏼 DETAILS

directors: TBC | writer: TBC | 2025

Available on Minishorts & Kalos TV