Bidding Adieu to "The Crown" - The Actors and Cost of the Netflix Series
Fans of the popular Netflix series "The Crown" are bidding farewell to the small-screen royals. The final six episodes will be streaming from December 14. The series by Peter Morgan (60) has generated buzz since its 2016 debut in November. This series charts the life of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) and her family spanning over the decades, from 1947 to 2005.
Meet the Actors of "The Crown"
One unique aspect of "The Crown" was the transformation of the series' cast every two seasons. Some well-known actors donned royal roles, while others rose to stardom thanks to the show...
In the first two seasons, Claire Foy (39) portrayed Queen Elizabeth II, with "Doctor Who" star Matt Smith (41) as Prince Philip and Vanessa Kirby (35) as Princess Margaret.
From seasons three to four, Oscar winner Olivia Colman (49) stepped into the role of the Queen, Tobias Menzies (49) assuming the role of Prince Philip, and "Harry Potter" star Helena Bonham Carter (57) as Princess Margaret. In addition, the adult Prince Charles was portrayed by Josh O'Connor (33) and Princess Diana by Emma Corrin (28) in these seasons. The "X-Files" star Gillian Anderson (55) joined the cast as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The final two seasons saw Imelda Staunton (67) take on the role of the Queen, Jonathan Pryce (76) as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville (67) as Princess Margaret, Dominic West (54) as Prince Charles, and Elizabeth Debicki (33) as Diana.
Numerous Awards for "The Crown"
The Royal TV show's stars have amassed several awards throughout their careers. For instance, at the 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards, "The Crown" swept all seven drama categories, becoming the first to achieve this feat. Colman, O'Connor, Anderson, and Menzies received honors for their performances. Earlier in 2017, John Lithgow (78) garnered the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor for his depiction of Winston Churchill. In 2018, Claire Foy won the Lead Actress TV Award.
"The Crown" has also been recognized at the Golden Globes. In 2017, it took home the "Best Drama Series" award and the lead actress title for Claire Foy. In 2020, Olivia Colman was crowned Best Actress in a Leading Role, and in the 2021 ceremony, the production claimed the "Best Series - Drama" category, among other honors for Emma Corrin, Josh O'Connor, and Gillian Anderson. Staunton, West, and Debicki are also nominated in various categories at the 2024 Golden Globes (January 7).
Controversy Over "The Crown"
While "The Crown" has maintained its popularity, it has faced criticism in recent years as it neared the present day. During an interview with "The Guardian" in January of this year, Helena Bonham Carter alleged that the show was no longer a "historical drama." She therefore deemed it unnecessary to continue. She added, "I'm in it and I loved my episodes, but it's very different now.__
When "The Crown" first aired, it was deemed a historical drama; however, its continued adaptation close to the modern era has led to heated debates. In 2021, several celebrities criticized the depiction of characters in the previous season, claiming a lack of historical accuracy and potential to mislead viewers. Actress Dame Judi Dench (89), for example, argued in The Times that Netflix seemed willing to blur the lines between "historical accuracy" and sensationalism.
For many fans of "The Crown," its conclusion will likely be a bittersweet farewell, but speculation of spin-offs remains a constant curiosity, which could lead to more awards and stars in the future.
You May Also Enjoy:
- Fans eagerly await Imelda Staunton's portrayal of the matured Queen Elizabeth II in the final seasons of "The Crown."
- In the later seasons of "The Crown," Dominic West assumed the role of the adult Prince Charles.
- Claire Foy, renowned for her "Doctor Who" stint, portrayed the young Queen Elizabeth II in the show's first two seasons.
- Gillian Anderson, renowned from "The X-Files," joined the cast in the latter seasons of "The Crown," playing Margaret Thatcher.
- After Claire Foy and Matt Smith left "The Crown," Olivia Colman inherited the role of Queen Elizabeth II, and Tobias Menzies took on Prince Philip's role.
- Helena Bonham Carter, best known for "Harry Potter," joined the cast as Princess Margaret in seasons three and four.
- At the Golden Globes, contenders from "The Crown," including Olivia Colman, Elizabeth Debicki, and Dominic West, have received nominations for their roles.
- In recent seasons, "The Crown" has faced criticism for blurring the lines between fact and fiction, with celebrities like Dame Judi Dench expressing concerns.
- The performances of actors like Claire Foy and Olivia Colman have been praised, earning them several awards for their roles in the Netflix series.
- Princess Diana, embodied by Emma Corrin in "The Crown," gained fame in her own right through her portrayal in the popular Netflix series.
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