THE CROWN is a triumph for Netflix. The series, written and created by Peter Morgan (THE QUEEN), chronicles the early years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
The show puts the audience at the “heart of this family,” says director Stephen Daldry in the featurette below. But this, of course, is no ordinary family. Queen Elizabeth was in her mid-20s when her father passed away and she ascended to the throne. Her own family — including her husband and two children — was young. But the four of them seemed to be happy and enjoying their lives….at least until she went from Elizabeth/mother to Queen. The moment that happened the balance between her public and private life changed forever.
But the story of THE CROWN isn’t just one of the monarchy, it’s also the story of the monarchy in relation to the government. When Elizabeth becomes Queen she must work alongside the domineering, war-hardened Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Churchill (along with a thousand years of royal traditions) is actually one of the biggest sources of conflict between Elizabeth and her husband, Philip — a man who hadn’t truly understood what it meant to be the man behind the Queen.
You can also browse through photos from the series above. THE CROWN premieres on Netflix on November 4.