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Season 1 – The Crown

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1:40

2016

Drama

History

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Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by showrunner Peter Morgan, this lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.

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Critics Consensus

Powerful performances and lavish cinematography make The Crown a top-notch production worthy of its grand subject.

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Eric Deggans

NPR

As a rebellious American, I think what's missing here is the voice of the British people. Without them, "The Crown" gives us little sense how the marriages and mishaps of a mostly ceremonial monarchy could still inspire a great nation.

Nov 26, 2019

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Lauren Carroll Harris

Guardian

Mmmmm, politically dubious addictive longform prestige trash. Thank you, Netflix.

Aug 1, 2019

Full Review

Daniel D'Addario

TIME Magazine

It's worth noting quite how well-made The Crown is.

Aug 15, 2017

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Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

The Crown could well end up being one of the most ambitious, grandiose television projects of the modern age.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 30, 2022

Full Review

Kshitij Rawat

The Indian Express

A warts-and-all portrayal, but the royals are unlikely to mind. There is a sensitivity here which humanises them in a sympathetic if not reverent manner, making them look just like commoners with titles and wealth: vulnerable and flawed.

Mar 9, 2021

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

The Crown demonstrates this predominance of the objective, of class forces, of historical law. ... The wretched people in this series are entirely the playthings of forces beyond their control.

Feb 11, 2021

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M B

Just fantastic, better than most movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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s c

Claire Foy is excellent as the young Elizabeth II as is John Lithgow as Winston Churchill. Seasons 1 and 2 are my favorites of this show.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

David F

I have (after everyone else) just started watching The Crown. I hadn't realised it was written by the chap who did all those Helen Mirren Queen things. To some extent, this is an extended version of all those PM's audiences, with the gaps in between filled up a little bit. There's a bit of a tabloid tendency in the areas of royal life covered, with emphasis on the abdication crisis, Princess Margaret's affairs, and other bad behaviour. As expected, the Queen is perfect in every way. It's amusing to see what a cow Queen Mary was, and after her the late Queen Mother. The Equerries and courtiers and Private Secretaries are all Eton toffs, as expected, and everyone wears proper clothes. Claire Foy is really very good as HM, except her cleft chin really distracts. Talking of chins, Matt Smith is wonderful as the Duke Of Edinburgh, capturing his rascally humour as well as his steely determination and his squinty eyes. Great actor. This series is like a peep show, looking inside the palace at the secrets the royals would like to keep from us, except that a lot of it is speculation, and that rather takes the gilt off the gingerbread. There's also a lot of 21st Century and American English in the dialogue, which could have been eliminated with one more pass by a decent script editor. I'm enjoying it and will proceed to series 2.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/23/24

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Jim F

Why did America secede? QE (Foy) sells the monarchy. Would I trade Nixon, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, Bush etc for Queen Elizabeth? Yes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/25/24

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Savannah G

Must see! Claire Foy absolutely Captivated us! but also Vanessa Kirby took my heart and I felt that I absolutely fell in love with these real life Characters! How close this show gets to the actual history is really incredible! Must see

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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T H

Outstanding ! Enjoyed every episode. Acting was excellent on all parts. Hooked from the beginning! Cinematography was very good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

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Claire Foy

Queen Elizabeth II

Matt Smith

Prince Phillip

John Lithgow

Sir Winston Churchill

Victoria Hamilton

The Queen Mother

Jared Harris

King George VI

Vanessa Kirby

Princess Margaret

Episode 1

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Wolferton Splash

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip get married; as King George VI's health declines, Winston Churchill is elected prime minister for the second time.

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Episode 2

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Hyde Park Corner

While King George is too sick to travel, Elizabeth and Philip go on a four-continent tour; party leaders try to undermine Churchill.

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Episode 3

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Windsor

As Elizabeth takes on a new role, Philip wants to assert some power; Churchill wants the coronation delayed; King George's brother arrives.

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Episode 4

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Act of God

London is impacted by a dense fog, which creates a serious health hazard; Churchill's unwillingness to take action puts him in a vulnerable position.

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Episode 5

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Smoke and Mirrors

Elizabeth ignores protocol and asks Philip to coordinate her coronation, but his ideas cause conflict; the Duke of Windsor comes back to London.

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Episode 6

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Gelignite

Peter and Margaret have a request for Elizabeth; as a royal scandal is about to break in newspapers, the Queen Mother decides to intervene.

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Episode 7

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Scientia Potentia Est

Churchill and Eden have major health issues as the Soviets test the H-bomb; Elizabeth hires a tutor.

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Episode 8

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Pride & Joy

Philip and Elizabeth go on an exhausting journey around the world; as Margaret takes on some of her sister's official duties, she tries to liven things up.

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Episode 9

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Assassins

As tension with Philip grows, Elizabeth spends time with an old friend; as his 80th birthday approaches, Churchill's portrait is painted.

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Episode 10

Aired Nov 4, 2016

Gloriana

As Peter and Margaret are reunited, another obstacle arises; Elizabeth is torn between her love for her sister and her duty as queen.

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