The story
Opening shortly before Princess Elizabeth's 1947 wedding, The Crown follows Elizabeth II across the decades of her reign, setting private family strains against the duties of the institution she embodies. Prime ministers come and go, crises and scandals test the monarchy, and her sister, husband and children each chafe at royal life. The lead cast is replaced every two seasons as the characters age, with Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton as the Queen.
Why it matters
With a first season costing at least £100 million, The Crown signalled that Netflix was ready to bankroll prestige British drama on a lavish scale. The gamble paid off in awards: 24 Primetime Emmys, among them the top drama prize, plus two Golden Globes for best drama series.
Notable facts
- The first ten-part season was the most expensive drama Netflix and Left Bank Pictures had produced, costing at least £100 million. (source)
- Peter Morgan developed it from his film The Queen (2006) and his stage play The Audience (2013). (source)
- Morgan briefly planned to end after five seasons before Netflix announced in July 2020 that a sixth would go ahead as originally intended. (source)
- The series won 24 Primetime Emmy Awards in total, seven of them for the cast. (source)