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
S04E01
S04E02
S04E03
S04E04
S04E05
S04E06
S04E07
S04E08
S04E09
S04E10
Gold Stick
Margaret Thatcher becomes prime minister; Charles and Diana meet at Althorp. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
The Balmoral Test
Thatcher and Diana visit Balmoral; Charles grows closer to Diana. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
Fairytale
Charles and Diana's courtship and engagement unfold amid Camilla's shadow. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
Favourites
Thatcher and the Queen clash over apartheid South Africa and the Commonwealth. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
Fagan
Michael Fagan breaks into the Queen's bedroom at Buckingham Palace in 1982. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
Terra Nullius
Charles and Diana tour Australia; their marriage strains under public scrutiny. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
The Hereditary Principle
Princess Anne survives a kidnapping attempt; Margaret's health declines. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
48:1
Australia debates becoming a republic; Thatcher fights the Falklands War. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
Avalanche
Diana's bulimia and loneliness deepen as Charles's affair with Camilla intensifies. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
War
The Waleses' marriage breaks down; Thatcher is ousted by her own party. · 58 min · Nov 15, 2020
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
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