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
S05E01
S05E02
S05E03
S05E04
S05E05
S05E06
S05E07
S05E08
S05E09
S05E10
Queen Victoria Syndrome
Tabloids debate whether the Queen should abdicate as Charles gains public profile. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
The System
Diana collaborates with Andrew Morton on a devastating tell-all biography. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
Mou Mou
Mohamed Al-Fayed enters British high society; his son Dodi meets Diana. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
Annus Horribilis
Windsor Castle fire, royal divorces, and Andrew's scandal define the Queen's 1992. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
The Way Ahead
Charles and Diana negotiate separation as the Queen orders royal reform. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
Ipatiev House
The royal family's connection to the Romanov executions resurfaces. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
No Woman's Land
Diana's Panorama interview with Martin Bashir shocks the nation. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
Gunpowder
MI5 investigates Bashir's interview methods; Camilla faces public hostility. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
Couple 31
Charles and Diana's divorce is finalized; Al-Fayed courts Diana. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
Decommissioned
Royal Yacht Britannia is decommissioned amid Labour austerity debates. · 58 min · Nov 9, 2022
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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