Netflix
The Crown
Follow Queen Elizabeth II through decades of personal sacrifice and political upheaval as the British monarchy confronts scandal, war, and a changing world.
Stream on
Quick Facts
AI Summary
Netflix's flagship royal drama spanning Elizabeth II's reign — part history lesson, part intimate family saga, with a recast ensemble every two seasons.
Series Details
Series Overview
- Premise
- A dramatized portrait of Queen Elizabeth II's reign from 1947 to 2005, exploring duty, family, and the cost of monarchy.
- Tone
- Prestige historical drama — intimate character study woven through major 20th-century events.
- Setting
- United Kingdom — Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Westminster, and locations worldwide across six decades.
- Casting model
- Principal roles recast every two seasons to reflect aging across the timeline.
Production
- Filming locations
- Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire; Lancaster House, Ely Cathedral, Argyll, Scotland; South Africa, Kenya, and other international locations
- Showrunner
- Peter Morgan (all seasons)
- Theme music
- Hans Zimmer
- Composers
- Rupert Gregson-Williams (S1–2), Lorne Balfe (S2), Martin Phipps (S3–6)
- Budget
- Reported £100 million+ per season — among Netflix's most expensive productions
Season Timeline
- Season 1
- 1947–1955 — Accession, Churchill, Margaret and Townsend
- Season 2
- 1956–1964 — Suez, Kennedy visit, Profumo affair
- Season 3
- 1964–1977 — Wilson, Aberfan, Silver Jubilee
- Season 4
- 1979–1990 — Thatcher, Charles and Diana, Falklands
- Season 5
- 1991–1997 — Annus horribilis, Diana divorce, Panorama
- Season 6
- 1997–2005 — Diana's death, Golden Jubilee, Charles and Camilla's wedding
Episodes
S01E01
S01E02
S01E03
S01E04
S01E05
S01E06
S01E07
S01E08
S01E09
S01E10
Wolferton Splash
Philip renounces his Greek and Danish titles as Elizabeth and Philip plan their wedding amid post-wa... · 58 min · Nov 4, 2016
Hyde Park Corner
King George VI dies suddenly; Elizabeth becomes Queen while on a Commonwealth tour in Kenya. · 56 min · Nov 4, 2016
Windsor
The young Queen navigates her new role and clashes with Churchill over the royal family name. · 57 min · Nov 4, 2016
Act of God
The Great Smog of London kills thousands; Churchill's delayed response draws fierce criticism. · 47 min · Nov 4, 2016
Smoke and Mirrors
Elizabeth's coronation is planned while Margaret asks permission to marry divorced Group Captain Pet... · 58 min · Nov 4, 2016
Gelignite
Margaret's relationship with Townsend becomes a public scandal and constitutional crisis. · 59 min · Nov 4, 2016
Scientia Potentia Est
Elizabeth receives constitutional tutoring while Churchill conceals a debilitating stroke from the Q... · 58 min · Nov 4, 2016
Pride & Joy
Elizabeth and Philip tour the Commonwealth as Margaret's loneliness deepens. · 54 min · Nov 4, 2016
Assassins
Churchill sits for a controversial portrait as political rivals plot his removal. · 59 min · Nov 4, 2016
Gloriana
Churchill resigns as prime minister; Elizabeth accepts the solitary weight of the crown. · 61 min · Nov 4, 2016
Cast & Characters
Claire Foy
Queen Elizabeth II (Seasons 1–2)
Olivia Colman
Queen Elizabeth II (Seasons 3–4)
Imelda Staunton
Queen Elizabeth II (Seasons 5–6)
Matt Smith
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Seasons 1–2)
Tobias Menzies
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Seasons 3–4)
Jonathan Pryce
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Seasons 5–6)
Vanessa Kirby
Princess Margaret (Seasons 1–2)
Helena Bonham Carter
Princess Margaret (Seasons 3–4)
Lesley Manville
Princess Margaret (Seasons 5–6)
John Lithgow
Winston Churchill
Josh O'Connor
Charles, Prince of Wales (Seasons 3–4)
Dominic West
Charles, Prince of Wales (Seasons 5–6)
Queen Elizabeth II
Character
Prince Philip
Character
Princess Margaret
Character
Charles, Prince of Wales
Character
Diana, Princess of Wales
Character
Crew
Peter Morgan
Creator / Showrunner / Writer
Stephen Daldry
Executive Producer / Director
Andy Harries
Executive Producer
Hans Zimmer
Theme Music Composer
Martin Phipps
Composer (Seasons 3–6)
Benjamin Caron
Director / Executive Producer
Philip Martin
Director / Executive Producer
Where to Watch
Gallery & Videos
Awards
Season Community
No community reviews yet.
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.