The Crown

'The Crown' is a Netflix original series that first premiered in 2016 and chronicles the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Spanning multiple seasons, the show offers a fictionalized account of the British royal family and their experiences from the early years of Queen Elizabeth's reign to more recent events.

The series begins in the 1940s, when a young Princess Elizabeth, portrayed by Claire Foy, ascends to the throne following the sudden death of her father, King George VI. As the young queen navigates her new role and responsibilities, she faces numerous challenges both within the royal family and on the political stage.

'The Crown' provides an intimate look into the personal and public lives of the royal family, including the relationships between Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip (played by Matt Smith), as well as her sister Princess Margaret (played by Vanessa Kirby). The show details the complexities of their marriages, the expectations placed upon them, and the sacrifices they make in service of the crown.

Throughout the series, significant historical events are mentioned and discussed; cases in point are the Suez Crisis, the Aberfan disaster, and the changing political landscape of the United Kingdom. And as the series progresses, 'The Crown' transitions to a new cast to reflect the passing of time. Olivia Colman takes on the role of Queen Elizabeth in the later seasons, alongside actors such as Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip and Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret.

With its lavish production design, meticulous attention to detail, and stellar performances, the series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. It is one of the best movies about Princess Diana.

Release: 2016

Stars: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton

IMDB Score: 8.6/10