The Crown

Castles, nobility and scandal a recipe for success, as proven by the series The Crown on Netflix. It will not be until November 2022, until season 5 is released but, I often wonder what has made The Crown one the most watched series on Netflix.

The Crown season 4 had more viewers (29 million) tune in, in the United Kingdom which was 600,000 more than those who tuned in to watch the real wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana back in July of 1981. I believe many like myself want a sneak peak into one of the oldest, richest and influential families in the world, the Windsors.

Who ever does the casting for the series is exceptional. In seasons 1 and 2, as I watched Claire Foy interact with either Matt Smith ( a young Prince Phillip) or Vanessa Kirby ( Princess Margaret) I forgot that I was watching a drama series and not a documentary. Claire Foy sounded like the Queen even had similar mannerism as the Queen, I was quickly captivated. In all honesty, I immensely enjoyed the character of Princess Margaret played by Vanessa Kirby, once again the resemblance was uncanny and I couldn't but help feel sorry for her as she was unable to marry the man she loved and her excessive partying which many say caught up to her as she aged.

In season 3 and 4, I was hesitant at first with all new casting, would Olivia Coleman be believable as the Queen? I think the casting of Tobias Menzies as Prince Phillip, Erin Doherty as Princess Ann, Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles helped once again captivate audiences with great performances by actors who were doppelgangers for the real royals. Not to mention the great performance by Gillian Anderson who took on the role of the iron lady, Margaret Thatcher. It is not a surprise that many of the actors have all won awards from the Golden Globes, to the Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice and from the British Academy Television.

One of the things I have enjoyed about The Crown, is how it has combined the history along with the story of the Queen and her family. Once such episode would have been the mining tragedy in Wales and just how much the people needed the Queen's presence to help with their own mourning. The episode brought back memories to 1997, when the Queen remained in Balmoral after the death tragic death of Princess Diana and the many mourners in London looking for the Queen for some comfort.

One of my preferred episodes is when John F Kennedy and Jackie visit for a state dinner and it is obvious the Queen feels a little intimidated by the glamorous Jackie Kennedy. The Queen not satisfied by her initial visit with Jackie, invites Jackie to her fortress, Windsor Castle. All strategically done to come across as the stronger of the two women. Jackie may be beautiful but Elizabeth was the Queen. As an audience member you quickly see how the Queen is human with insecurities but as she always does, she prevailed. Later in that episode the Queen learns that JFK has been assassinated and the royal household goes into mourning as flags are flown at half mast. Such a simple gesture through the Queen's request that showed her respect for the Kennedys.

Season 4 was finally going to get into the royal marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the fairytale wedding and the doomed marriage. Having watched the wedding and followed the royals in the 80's 90's and 2000's, I found at times, as a viewer I saw just how unhappy Charles and Diana really were. Not to mention, myself and probably many, may also feel a little hate towards Camilla who was very much part of that marriage. But you cannot blame it all on Charles and Camilla, as it was ultimately the doing of the Queen Mum and Uncle Mountbatten who prevented Charles and Camilla from marrying. Season 5 is very much anticipated, but many of us know that it has a very sad ending.

With the popularity of the Crown it is also very timely, as the real Royal Family continue to deal with their own drama. From the exit of the Sussexes, to the death of the Queen's beloved husband Prince Phillip to the scandal of the Queen's favourite son Prince Andrew. All this, with the lead up to the Queen's 70th Jubilee. Is Season 6, the final season?? There is still so much to tell!