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.
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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
S02E01
S02E02
S02E03
S02E04
S02E05
S02E06
S02E07
S02E08
S02E09
S02E10
Misadventure
The Suez Crisis unfolds as Philip grows restless and pushes for royal reform. · 59 min · Dec 8, 2017
A Company of Men
Philip establishes the Duke of Edinburgh Award amid growing marital strain. · 58 min · Dec 8, 2017
Lisbon
The Queen Mother visits her exiled brother the Duke of Windsor in Portugal. · 57 min · Dec 8, 2017
Beryl
Photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones enters Margaret's life as her Townsend romance ends. · 58 min · Dec 8, 2017
Marionettes
Lord Altrincham's scathing critique forces Elizabeth to modernize the monarchy. · 59 min · Dec 8, 2017
Vergangenheit
The Duke of Windsor's Nazi ties resurface as Philip investigates his past. · 58 min · Dec 8, 2017
Matrimonium
Margaret marries Tony Armstrong-Jones while Philip confronts traumatic childhood memories. · 61 min · Dec 8, 2017
Dear Mrs. Kennedy
JFK and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace; Jackie overshadows the Queen. · 58 min · Dec 8, 2017
Paterfamilias
Philip sends Charles to Gordonstoun; flashbacks reveal his brutal schooling. · 59 min · Dec 8, 2017
Mystery Man
The Profumo affair and a suspicious Soviet connection threaten the monarchy. · 58 min · Dec 8, 2017
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
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