If you’ve been doom-scrolling TikTok for the past month, you’ve probably seen it: The endless loops of Maxton Hall – The World Between Us fan edits, set to dramatic Lana Del Rey beats, with captions screaming “PERCY IS JAMES’S REAL DAD!!!” The theory exploded like a plot twist grenade after episode 4 dropped on Prime Video in November 2025, and now – in an exclusive chat with this reporter – star Damian Hardung is breaking his silence on the rumor that’s got 12 million views and counting. Spoiler: It’s wilder than you imagined, and Damian’s reaction? Pure gold. Buckle up, Maxton maniacs – this could change how you rewatch the entire series.

For the uninitiated (or those who haven’t binged the German teen drama sensation yet), Maxton Hall follows scholarship girl Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) crashing into the elite world of posh bad boy James Beaufort (Damian Hardung). Think Gossip Girl meets Bridgerton with a side of class warfare – all set in a sprawling Swiss boarding school where secrets are currency and kisses are currency x1000. James is the ultimate brooding billionaire heir: Chiseled jaw, daddy issues, and a wardrobe that screams “old money.” But fans? They’ve cracked what they call “the Beaufort code,” and it’s pointing straight to the family chauffeur, Percy.

Here’s the tea that’s got everyone spiraling: In episode 3, James sneaks a mysterious “secret key” from his dad’s study – the one that unlocks a hidden safe full of old letters and a faded photo of a young woman who looks suspiciously like James’s mum, Elaine (Jeanette Hain). Fast-forward to episode 5: Elaine trusts Percy (played by the silver-fox charm of Thomas Douglas) with her life savings during a family crisis, whispering, “You’ve always been the one I could count on.” And don’t get us started on Mortimer Beaufort (Frederic Linkemann), James’s cold-as-ice father – the guy who barely looks at his son without sneering, like James is a disappointing investment rather than flesh and blood. “Mortimer hates James because he’s not HIS!” screamed one viral TikTok by @MaxtonTheories, racking up 3.2 million likes. “Percy’s the real dad – that’s why Elaine married up to cover the scandal!”

The evidence? It’s stacking up like a house of cards in a hurricane:

The Key Clue: That secret key? Fans zoomed in on the engraving – it’s the same symbol on Percy’s vintage pocket watch, glimpsed in episode 2 during his quiet chat with James about “knowing who you really are.”
Mum’s Trust: Elaine’s always defending James against Mortimer’s rages, and in that emotional rooftop scene, she tells Percy, “You gave me strength when I had none.” Code for “you fathered my son in secret”?
Mortimer’s Hate: The patriarch’s disdain isn’t just rich-dad vibes – it’s personal. Remember when he snaps, “You’re nothing like me, boy”? Fans say it’s because James has Percy’s quiet strength and hazel eyes, not Mortimer’s icy blues.
Bonus Bombshell: In the books by Mona Kasten (which the show adapts), there’s a cryptic line about Elaine’s “first love” being a “man who drove her away from her world.” Percy was the family driver before Mortimer swooped in. Coincidence? We think not!

The theory went nuclear after episode 6’s cliffhanger: James confronts Elaine about the photo, and she whispers, “Some truths are better left buried… for your own good.” Cue 500K Reddit posts in 24 hours, with threads like “Percy Beaufort: The Ultimate Plot Twist?” and fan art of James hugging his “real dad” in chauffeur’s cap. “It explains EVERYTHING!” gushed @RubyAndJames4Ever. “James’s rebel streak? That’s Percy’s working-class fire, not Mortimer’s snobbery!”

So, what does Damian Hardung – the 25-year-old German heartthrob who’s skyrocketed from Tribes of Europa to global crush status – have to say about this fan-fueled frenzy? In our Zoom from his Berlin flat (complete with a Maxton Hall poster and a cheeky grin), he didn’t dodge. He dove in headfirst.

“Oh man, you guys are detectives!” Damian laughed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I saw the first TikTok at like 2 a.m. during filming and thought, ‘No way, that’s genius.’ But seriously, it’s mind-blowing how spot-on some of it is. The key? Yeah, that’s not random. And Mortimer’s hate? Let’s just say there’s a reason he treats James like an outsider. I won’t spoil season 2 [renewed already!], but… keep watching. Percy’s role gets way deeper.”

When pressed if Percy IS the bio dad, Damian leaned in with that signature smolder: “All I’ll say is, the writers love messing with us. Mona [Kasten] told me early on, ‘Damian, this twist will break hearts.’ Fans are right – there’s blood ties involved. But is it Percy? Hmm… rewatch episode 7. That car ride scene? Goldmine.” He paused, eyes twinkling. “Honestly, though, I love how invested you are. It makes playing James feel epic – like we’re all in on the secret.”

The buzz couldn’t come at a better time. Maxton Hall Season 1 shattered Prime Video records with 45 million views in its first week, outpacing even The Summer I Turned Pretty. Season 2, filming now in the Swiss Alps, promises more drama: Ruby and James’s fake-dating fakeout turns real, while Beaufort family skeletons rattle louder. “Expect tears, twists, and that slow-burn kiss payoff,” Damian teased. “And yeah, more Percy. Lots more.”

Fans are losing it. “Damian confirming it’s REAL?!” exploded @BeaufortBabe. “Season 2 premiere can’t come soon enough!” Others are theorizing spin-offs: “Percy: The Prequel – chauffeur by day, secret dad by night!” Even Mona Kasten jumped in on Instagram: “You lot are smarter than my editors. Keep guessing – some are scarily close. 😏”

So, is Percy James’s real dad? Damian’s not spilling the full beans, but one thing’s clear: This theory isn’t just wild – it’s wildfire, setting the internet ablaze and proving Maxton Hall is more than a show; it’s a phenomenon. Stream it now, detective squad – and maybe stock up on tissues for that inevitable family reunion. Because in the world between us? Blood is thicker than champagne.