Romantasy - the biggest genre you're not aware of?

Home » Romantasy – the biggest genre you’re not aware of?

Richard reveals some juicy details about his forthcoming new book but before then he and Marina delve into the world of ‘romantasy’, the genre which is taking up space on bookshelves at great pace. Plus a dissection of Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web press tour, the return of Formula 1’s Drive To Survive and which Gladiator Richard would have on House of Games. Producer: Neil Fearn Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport
Recommendations
Richard: American Fiction (Cinema)
Marina: The Hills of California (Harold Pinter Theatre) and A Mirror (Trafalgar Theatre)
Pre-order Richard’s new book here – www.wesolvemurders.co.uk

Inside This Episode

Romantasy:
The episode dives into “Romantasy,” a hybrid genre of romance and fantasy that has become a global phenomenon in publishing. Richard describes it as “a porny version of Lord of the Rings,” combining elements like fairies, elves, and explicit romance. Authors Sarah J. Maas (A Court of Thorns and Roses) and Rebecca Yarros (Iron Flame) are spotlighted as leading figures, selling millions of hardbacks thanks to devoted fan bases. The conversation touches on the genre’s appeal to former fans of Twilight and The Hunger Games, who now seek more mature and spicy content.
Drive to Survive:
Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, a behind-the-scenes look at Formula 1, is praised for revolutionising how fans engage with the sport. Marina and Richard compare it to Keeping Up with the Kardashians, as it turns drivers, like Max Verstappen and team principals like Christian Horner, into relatable characters. The hosts explore how the show has introduced plotlines, rivalries, and personalities to attract younger and more diverse audiences. Richard highlights its success in boosting Formula 1 fandom, noting that 20–30% of new fans say the show was their entry point into the sport.
Madame Web:
The hosts discuss the new Spider-Verse film, Madame Web, describing it as a spectacularly bad movie. Marina critiques the film’s excessive exposition, which she estimates makes up 70% of the dialogue, and its “fascinatingly bad” storytelling. The hosts laugh about the viral trailer featuring clunky lines like, “He was in the Amazon with my mum when she was researching spiders right before she died.” They also explore the struggles of Dakota Johnson’s press tour for the film, where she faced awkward questions about the movie’s reception and the viral trailer.
Cultural Commentary on Press Tours:
Marina and Richard delve into the challenges of modern press tours, especially for actors promoting poorly received films. They recount infamous examples, including Lady Gaga’s over-the-top interviews for House of Gucci, where she claimed to have never broken character and to have been cursed by flies. Tom Cruise’s chaotic promotion of War of the Worlds is also discussed, where he infamously jumped on Oprah’s couch and criticised Brooke Shields for taking antidepressants. The hosts note how press tours have become transactional and formulaic, often prioritising curated anecdotes and viral moments over meaningful engagement.
Sports and Reality TV Crossovers:
The hosts examine how sports are increasingly adopting a reality TV-style approach to engage new audiences. Examples include Netflix’s Drive to Survive and events like the Netflix Cup, blending sports personalities and entertainment. Marina notes how sports organisations target younger viewers and women through social media and YouTube content, while Richard highlights the natural drama of competition as a draw for audiences. They also discuss the rise of YouTubers and unconventional presenters in sports coverage, which adds unpredictability but often lacks polish.

Media Mentions

Movies:

Television Shows:

Derry Girls
Drive to Survive

Books:

Live Events:

Las Vegas Grand Prix
Netflix Cup

Hot Takes

“Romantasy [could be called] ‘fuckstacy’…it’s quite pornographic.”
“[Dakota Johnson] is a little bit of a liability on a press tour…which we all love.”
“Drive to Survive is Escarless in the Red Bull.”
“[Romantasy is like] dragons shooting fire when she orgasms.”
“Lady Gaga claimed she’d written a biography of her House of Gucci character [and] believed she was cursed with swarms of flies.”
“Madame Web: I have no idea how her web connects them all, but it does. Why? No clue.”

Who’s Who

Notable Numbers

20–30%: Proportion of new Formula 1 fans attributed to Drive to Survive.
24: Formula 1 races per year, with a global spread.
14 billion: A Court of Thorns and Roses TikTok posts.
37 million: Sarah J. Maas books sold worldwide.
£45: Cost of special edition fantasy books from curated services like Illumicrate.

Romantasy – the biggest genre you’re not aware of?

aka: Netflix's Drive to Survive & Formula 1, Madame Web Movie Flop & "Romantasy The Biggest Book Genre"

aka: Did Netflix Save F1?

20 February 2024