VOD (1)
Seasons(6) / Episodes(60)
Reviews of this series by the user Malarkey (4)
The Crown (2016)
It’s obvious that Netflix has invested a lot of time and money in The Crown. From the very first episode, you will know that something much more is starting here than just an ordinary series from the world of the royal family and especially from the world of the current Queen Elizabeth. Soon, you will not only get used to all the characters, but start to relish their dialogues. In addition to featuring the top actors of today, the music has been composed by the musical genius that is Hans Zimmer. So get ready to get your emotions milked not just by the story, but also by music. Moreover, some episodes are bordering on genius, working as separate stories, often ending in some kind of postscript whose epicness will take your breath away. For me, the best character is definitely Winston Churchill; I’d never say that John Lithgow will provide us with such a divine performance. I’d say is the best role of his life. Until now, I thought of him in the lines of some sort of fairytale grandpa, and then I see him as an absolutely perfect Winston Churchill. I’m bowing down before him. Netflix has done a great job with this series, and I’m looking forward to more episodes where I can learn something about the world I’d never get to see even a glimpse of otherwise.
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Season 3 (2019) (S03)
I don’t usually comment on individual seasons of the same series, but after watching the third season of The Crown, I feel like I must add something. If only because the third season basically starts a new story with new actors, by which the creators show that the royal family has entered into a new period. Truth to be told, I wasn’t too overjoyed about Olivia Colman at first. I liked Tobias Menzies as Philip much more. Over time, however, I got use to the new faces and started to enjoy this season as much as the previous. I’m not usually a fan of similar period royal dramas, but The Crownhas something that glues you to your seat. The music is of course still great, even though its connection to Zimmer has grown weaker. Anyhow, the screenwriting of some of the episodes is bordering on genius, especially in the first half of the season. The second half just builds on that. The most interesting character of this season is definitely Prime Minister Wilson. I’ve grown very as fond of him as of Winston Churchill.
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Season 4 (2020) (S04)
Season 4 of The Crown sticks to its five-star standard. Ten episodes packed with emotion, stunning music, and unforgettable performances. Whoever cast Gillian Anderson as the Iron Lady deserves major props. And Emma Corrin is an uncanny match for Diana. Honestly, I felt so much for Diana in this season; she never really fit into that royal family with her joyful, carefree spirit. Plus, Charles didn’t deserve her—Camilla’s just so... ordinary. For three seasons, The Crown painted Charles as this guy we should sympathize with, and then in this one, they really take him down a peg. I’m not here to judge the royal family, but this season definitely got me in my feelings. The standout episodes were "Fagan" and "The Hereditary Principle," where Helena Bonham Carter (always amazing) absolutely owned her role as Princess Margaret.
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Season 5 (2022) (S05)
Casting for roles that span a wide time period is always a challenge. HBO's House of the Dragon recently struggled with this, and now Netflix's The Crown faces similar issues. While previous seasons delivered numerous brilliantly shot and acted episodes, this one feels more average. The standout episode for me is "Ipatiev House," showcasing Boris Yeltsin not just as a capable politician but also a bit of a joker. This season primarily focuses on Diana. Sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, but she's always at the center. Elizabeth Debicki takes on the role of Diana, and her scenes are the most captivating. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip play more of a secondary role this time around.
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