The Crown, a 6-season Netflix drama, is, as I’m sure you’re all aware, a dramatization of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60-year reign. After waiting for what seems like an eternity, I finally got around to binge-watching the whole second season over the holidays after it had been available on Netflix since December. So, if you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t seen this incredible drama, keep reading to learn the five main reasons why you really must!
The Crown closely follows the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2023. The Crown closely tells the story of the Queen from her coronation until season 4, which will portray the early 90s with the separation of now King Charles III (the Prince Charles) and the untimely death of Princess Diana. You can read more about Queen Elizabeth II’s journey over at Lordping.co.uk.
Cast

The cast members seem astonishingly identical to their real-life counterparts if you conduct a side-by-side comparison. It’s easy to forget that the performers in the first two seasons aren’t the real individuals they’re portraying because of how well they’ve been cast. In particular, Claire Foy (as Queen Elizabeth), Matt Smith (as Prince Philip), and Vanessa Kirby (as Princess Margaret) are superb and do an outstanding job in their roles. You can see how meticulously the show has replicated famous artworks and images by comparing them to the originals.
Despite the incredible talent involved, most parts will be replaced every two seasons to reflect the characters’ natural aging. Though I’m going to miss this incredible cast, I can’t wait to watch how the new performers bring to life the royal family’s historical incarnations. There will be high expectations for the new cast, which may include Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth and Helena Bonham-Carter as Princess Margaret, but I have no doubt that they will do the roles well. After all, as you’re about to discover, the show’s outstanding ensemble is just part of its appeal.
Fashion

The outfits are just as fantastic as the rest of the show’s actors. Not only do they accurately depict some of the most recognizable garments worn by the royal family, but they also accurately reflect the era and the status of the characters. Incredible effort and attention to detail have been put into the costumes, demonstrating the production value of spot-on details.
The clothing in many historical plays isn’t necessarily authentic to the time period, location, or social status of the story’s setting. Many of the clothing in The Tudors are really from the Elizabethan era, not the early Tudor period. The research that went into creating the clothes in The Crown as accurate as possible is evident. Minor adjustments to clothing from its original form are unlikely to be misunderstood as major departures from canon. As a result of the fantastic casting and the performers’ continued suitability to their parts, the film succeeds in creating a believable portrayal of the real people.
Location
It’s amazing to see how much care was taken with every aspect. There’s a ton of scenery to look at in the background, from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle to Clarence House to the Sandringham and Balmoral estates to 10 Downing Street. These famous spots were either meticulously replicated in a studio or else filmed in other, comparable sites all throughout the United Kingdom.
Spending even just five minutes of an episode observing the scenery rather than the action in the front will reveal how much effort was put into making the locations appear as authentic as possible. Details like picture frames on a side table showcasing the actors in recreations of classic photos that you’ll barely see for a second but are nevertheless vital to the production’s success are a testament to this. Some of the sites are wonderful stand-ins that are quite comparable to the original locales, while others are not. Balmoral Castle, for example, employs Ardverikie House and its land.
Historical Accuracy

The show’s obvious appeal stems from the fascinating historical tales it presents. Here again you can see the effort and study that went into making the show historically correct. Many TV shows about English rulers, such as The Tudors and Victoria, stray too far from reality, while The Crown stays so true to the facts that it teaches viewers something.
I’ve found that even while certain details have been simplified or omitted in order to fit the program’s format, the show generally sticks quite closely to the genuine history of the people and events it depicts. In contrast to the way many other historical dramas sensationalize their stories with fabricated details, The Crown depends almost entirely on actual historical events for its dramatic tension. Naturally, there have been some tales that have been tweaked, but overall, they remain quite faithful to the original. There are, of course, creative licenses used with how people conduct behind closed doors, but author Peter Morgan has said that he strives to depict these unknown facts as realistically as feasible given the material he does have about the Royals. You won’t be too let down by the presentation even if you’re a stickler for historical accuracy.
Family Drama
Astonishingly, The Crown doesn’t invent much of the drama since it already exists in the historical record. There’s always a new twist in the royal family’s saga, what with the tumultuous reigns of Edward VIII, George VI, and Elizabeth II. You see George’s last months and his effort to keep his terrible health a secret, and Elizabeth’s battle to take over the monarchy from her father, as well as flashbacks to Edward’s abdication to marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson and his interactions with Germany during the war.
The drama isn’t only coming from our reigning monarch, by the way. There’s Margaret with her penchant for partying and questionable romantic attachments; Winston and his will to stay in power despite age and illness; and Philip and his inability to find a place in the spotlight that’s not four steps behind his wife. You’d think you were watching a soap opera, but the fact that it’s all based on real events makes it much more interesting. You won’t be able to stop watching since each episode is packed with compelling storylines that will keep you guessing and wanting more.
Have faith in me when I declare that you won’t be able to stop watching this program until all twenty episodes are through.
The Crown is an excellent program for anybody who likes historical dramas and the British monarchy.