Netflix’s historical drama series, The Crown, has seen a massive increase in viewership over the past few days, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. The series chronicles the life and times of the English monarch.
The series was created by Peter Morgan for Netflix, with each season covering a certain span of years during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It featured an ensemble, rotating cast to portray various historical figures during crucial points of time.
Both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman have portrayed the Queen in the series, with Imelda Staunton all set to take over in the final two seasons of The Crown. Since its premiere in 2016, the series has been a huge hit for the streaming platform, along with receiving widespread critical acclaim.
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-ruling monarch in English history. She ruled for 70 years, ascending to the throne in 1952 and continuing her reign up until her death in 2022. Her passing has marked the end of an era and elicited major reactions across the globe.
As per the reports of Variety, Netflix has recorded a major increase in viewership of The Crown after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
A report from a data analytics firm, Whip Media, recorded that between Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11, The Crown viewership increased more than 800% in the UK. In the US, the viewership quadrupled compared to the previous week. In France, viewership jumped by three times its previous numbers.
The Crown is at #4 in Netflix’s daily Top 10 list in the US as of writing this article. The series is currently in production on Season 6, and Season 5 is supposed to premiere in November.
However, following the death of the monarch, production on the latest season was halted for the time being, though it is unclear whether it would impact its eventual release. The Crown is one of pop culture’s most prominent depictions of the English monarch’s life, so it is not surprising that it gained the attention of viewers following the historic event of her death.
Although it has made use of its fair share of creative liberty, the series is considered to be a more or less straightforward depiction of the Queen’s reign. Those who now wish to know more about her are perhaps turning to the series as a way of knowing more about her eventful life.
While The Crown is heading towards its end, Netflix is planning to continue the series with a prequel, allowing the audience to dive deeper into the history of the English royal family. It is not clear how Queen Elizabeth II’s death will impact the future of the series. But creator Morgan has indicated that he would stop short of reaching the present day, so the series may not actually cover her passing.
The last two seasons will most likely serve as the ultimate tribute to the Queen by the makers. If not postponed, Season 5 will premiere on Netflix this November.
About The Crown
The Crown is a historical drama on Netflix which revolves around the British royal family. It focuses on Elizabeth II’s journey from a princess to the revered queen of England. The series is created by screenwriter Peter Morgan, and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix.
The first season covers the period from Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947 to the disintegration of her sister Princess Margaret’s engagement to Group Captain Peter Townsend in 1955. The second season covers the period from the Suez Crisis in 1956 to the retirement of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1963 and the birth of Prince Edward in 1964.
The third season spans 1964 to 1977, including Harold Wilson’s two periods as prime minister, and introduces Camilla Shand as Queen Elizabeth. The fourth season spans 1979 to the early 1990s and includes Margaret Thatcher’s tenure as prime minister and Prince Charles’s marriage to Lady Diana Spencer.
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