With many attempts to
recreate Queen Elizabeth II’s early years as sovereign, few have succeeded in
hitting the mark and portraying history as it happened. Netflix’s £130 million
television 10-part extravaganza, ‘The Crown’ does exactly that.
Netflix’s latest original
series is the most lavish, opulent and dramatic title to date under the
streaming giant’s belt.
The series features a predominantly British cast with
Claire Foy starring as the Queen and beloved actor Matt Smith playing Prince Phillip,
the Duke of Edinburgh.
The first episode kicks off
in 1947 when Her Majesty was known as Princess Elizabeth, or “Lilibet” by those
close to her, prior to her wedding to Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark.
Initial scenes see him renounce his Greek and Danish titles and convert from
Greek Orthodoxy to Anglicanism, as well as adopting the name and style
“Lieutenant Phillip Mountbatten”.
The series’ main spotlight is
firmly fixed on the young Queen after her father King George VI passes and she
is forced to take to the throne and rule, however it is her Husband who shines.
Viewers see the tough internal battle the Duke of Edinburgh goes through as his
Naval career is stripped away and he is refused the right to have his offspring
(Prince Charles and Princess Anne) take his surname. This later causes an
outburst from Philip who says: “I am the only man in the country not allowed to
give his name to his own children.”
There is an appetite for
drama revolving around the seemingly glamorous and untouched world of the
British aristocracy, but The Crown has succeeded in offering a realistic
glimpse into the world of the Senior royals when they were quite a bit younger.
No expense has been spared to
showcase the high-class lifestyle they live, but it’s refreshing to see their
personal lives played out on screen too. As Elizabeth settles into her duties,
she often struggles with the conflict between her public and private personas.
Within the walls of Buckingham Palace tensions are high. Her marriage isn’t painted
in the most flattering of lights towards the end of the series, with Phillip
feeling emasculated by Elizabeth’s growing confidence as Queen as mirrored in
her increasing assertiveness.
Elsewhere, she has to contend with her sister, Princess Margaret’s love scandal with Group Captain Peter
Townsend and their decision to marry as well as the unruly Winston Churchill.
The
relationship between the sovereign and the Prime Minister is an important one
and the series doesn’t portray Churchill as fondly as history remembers him,
however he still manages to come off better than David Cameron in a post-Brexit
Britain.
Thanks to the resurgence of
popularity of the Royal Family in recent years, The Crown will be devoured and
enjoyed by many, however it’s not a perfect series no matter how luxurious it
might appear externally.
If you do choose to watch all 10 episodes of the first series back-to-back, then be sure to acquire a gin and take a sip every time someone mentions ‘the crown’ – it will change your
life for the better. Trust us.
Words Lauren Wade
All photos: Alex Bailey/Netflix
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