Netflix's The Crown will not continue past season 6, says the series' executive producer. The drama follows the political rivalries and romances of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the events, both tragic and heartwarming, that shaped the second half of the 20th century. It chronicles the lives, in a very dramatic fashion, of the longtime U.K. monarch, the royal family, and the substantial historical events that surround each and every member.
Season 4 of the series, which made its debut in November 2020, covered the time period between 1979 and 1990. It was set during the time when British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, was in power. Other key events explored during season 4 were the introduction of Lady Diana Spencer to the royal family, her courtship and marriage to Charles, the births of their two sons William and Harry, and their tour of Australia and New Zealand. Also highlighted was the Falklands War, Lord Mountbatten's funeral and its effect on Prince Charles, the break-in at Buckingham Palace by Michael Fagan, and the affair between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The Sun reported that showrunner Peter Morgan has not deviated from his plans of ending the series after six seasons. The Crown Executive Producer, Suzanne Mackie, explained why Morgan does not want to explore the lives of the royals past the early 2000s. This came after Morgan originally said the series would end after season 5 and subsequently added its sixth installment. Read what Mackie said below:
Peter has said it very articulately, that he simply can't write something unless there has been time to gain a proper perspective. I think he's always felt 10 years is the minimum amount of time that he can see something in a historical context, to allow him to really understand it. I don't think he'll deviate from that. We all know these stories, but what Peter does so brilliantly is get underneath that and understand the landscape in a more nuanced, complex, surprising way.
During seasons 5 and 6, there will be major cast changes. Imelda Staunton will take over from Olivia Colman as the Queen. Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Philip, Jonny Lee Miller will embody John Major, Elizabeth Debicki will take the role of Princess Diana, and Lesley Manville will play Princess Margaret. The show changes the cast every two seasons to reflect how the Royal Family has aged over the years. The upcoming season, which begins filming this month, will cover the John Major government years, the breakdown of Princess Diana and Prince Charles' marriage and subsequent divorce, the death of Diana in 1997, and its impact on the royal family.
The Crown's depiction of the royal family and its major players continues to enthrall fans of the monarchy. As this new season moves forward, a closer eye will be kept on the storylines that viewers have been most interested in seeing played out. These include the crumbling marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, her Panorama interview, and her tragic death. The upcoming season of The Crown will likely be held under more scrutiny as the series spins the saga of the clan into a season where the line between the truth and fiction will be more blurred than ever.
Source: The Sun