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
S03E01
S03E02
S03E03
S03E04
S03E05
S03E06
S03E07
S03E08
S03E09
S03E10
Olding
Harold Wilson becomes prime minister as a Soviet mole is suspected near the Queen. · 58 min · Nov 17, 2019
Margaretology
Princess Margaret tours America and begins an affair with Roddy Llewellyn. · 58 min · Nov 17, 2019
Aberfan
The Aberfan disaster kills 144 people; the Queen's delayed visit draws national grief. · 62 min · Nov 17, 2019
Bubbikins
Prince Philip's estranged mother Princess Alice moves into Buckingham Palace. · 59 min · Nov 17, 2019
Coup
Lord Mountbatten and others plot against Harold Wilson's government. · 58 min · Nov 17, 2019
Tywysog Cymru
Prince Charles spends a term at Welsh university before his investiture as Prince of Wales. · 58 min · Nov 17, 2019
Moondust
The Apollo 11 moon landing stirs Philip's spiritual crisis and midlife doubt. · 59 min · Nov 17, 2019
Dangling Man
The Queen's art curator Anthony Blunt is exposed as a Soviet spy. · 58 min · Nov 17, 2019
Imbroglio
Charles meets Camilla Shand as Margaret and Tony's marriage collapses. · 58 min · Nov 17, 2019
Cri de Coeur
Margaret overdoses on sleeping pills; the Queen's Silver Jubilee approaches. · 60 min · Nov 17, 2019
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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