25 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Crown
Sure, The Crown pulls us in with its grand displays of royal drama, but there’s plenty happening behind the velvet curtains. Historical inaccuracies and lesser-known facts about the actors add more curiosity to the show. Here are 25 things you might not know about The Crown—just as fascinating as the series itself.
Peter Morgan’s Disinterest in Royalty
Peter Morgan, the creative force behind The Crown, had little interest in the British monarchy. His intrigue grew while writing The Queen, a movie screenplay that led to The Audience, an exploration of Queen Elizabeth II’s conversations with her prime ministers. This sparked his fascination with royal dynamics, ultimately inspiring the series.
Made With Opulence
Both Queen Elizabeth’s and Princess Diana’s wedding dresses required meticulous craftsmanship. Diana’s dress, featuring a 25-foot train and intricate lace, was nearly identical to the real thing. Meanwhile, the Queen’s wedding gown was most painstakingly made and took the longest time.
An Older and Richer Audience
According to Nielsen, nearly two-thirds of The Crown viewers are aged 35 and older, with around 40% belonging to households whose income exceeds $100,000. Historical narratives and dramatic storytelling draw in this demographic, which makes the show a hit among mature audiences, particularly those over 50.
Probably Netflix’s Most Expensive Production
The Crown is one of Netflix’s most expensive productions, costing approximately $260 million across six seasons. Episodic figures in the first two seasons ranged from $6.5 to $13 million, increasing to $14.4 million by Season 5. This investment was used to curate elaborate sets, procure historical costumes, and find talents
Cheese-loving Corgis
Those adorable corgis featured in The Crown are pampered pups with a fondness for cheese that helped coax them on set during filming. Their trainers discovered the treat was key to keeping the dogs happy and cooperative. The charming detail reflects Queen Elizabeth’s real-life affection for her beloved pets.
Untouched Antique Barometer
Matt Smith had a dangerous mishap while filming a romantic moment for The Crown with Claire Foy in South Africa. He hopped on a frisky horse, which, to his horror, set off bolting. Thankfully, he was rescued unharmed by a man who managed to rein in the rogue steed.
Matt Smith’s Perilous Encounter
Matt Smith had a dangerous mishap while filming a romantic moment for The Crown with Claire Foy in South Africa. He hopped on a frisky horse, which, to his horror, set off bolting. Thankfully, he was rescued unharmed by a man who managed to rein in the rogue steed.
Honey, I Shrunk John Lithgow
His towering 6’4” frame necessitated some significant set adjustments to portray Churchill’s height realistically. The production team had to creatively adapt camera angles and build certain set pieces to shrink him visually. Lithgow also stuffed cotton in his nose to mimic Churchill’s distinct voice and help him nail the role.
Surprise, It’s Mr. Thompson
Greg Wise, Emma Thompson’s husband, made a brief appearance on The Crown. He played Lord Louis Mountbatten, Prince Philip’s uncle, in Season 1 of the show. The talented actor’s brief role brought a familiar face to the series for those who already know his extensive work.
Prince Of The Flies
Fly infestation hampered Josh O’Connor’s efforts during an important fight between Charles and Diana in Terra Nullius, Episode 6 of The Crown. He humorously recalled how the insects descended upon their heated argument, which was filmed in the evening, adding a challenge to his performance as Prince Charles.
“Grandfather, Is That You?”
Playing Prince Philip in Seasons 1 and 2 of The Crown, Matt Smith said during an appearance on Today that Prince Harry once greeted him at a polo match as “Granddad.” This moment shows the prince being a sport about the actor playing the role of his grandfather.
Meeting The Royals
Helena Bonham Carter, who portrayed Princess Margaret, had the rare opportunity to meet the real royal. She described the experience as intimidating and noted Margaret’s strong presence and fierce personality. The first-hand encounter added depth to Carter’s depiction of the complex royal.
Unequal Wages
Despite playing a lead role, Claire Foy initially earned less than Matt Smith, who played Prince Philip. This disparity sparked debate and led to a new order declaring the Queen to be the highest-paid member of the cast. Olivia Colman, Foy’s successor, later earned more than her co-star Tobias Menzies.
An Intriguing Exercise
Director Benjamin Caron employed innovative acting exercises with actors Corrin and Fennell to prepare for Diana’s confrontation with Camilla Parker Bowles. It involved them holding hands based on their sense of power in the moment. Fennell, playing Camilla, instinctively gripped Josh’s hand throughout, while Corrin, portraying Diana, gradually asserted herself.
Stop, It’s The Coronavirus
COVID-19 halted production on Season 4 of The Crown with only six days of filming remaining. Key scenes that were affected by this included Charles and Diana’s Australia tour. Despite the halt causing significant delays in post-production, the final product was completed using a mix of pre-filmed footage and CGI.
Casting Choices for Diana
Emma Corrin was eventually cast as Princess Diana, but she wasn’t the first choice. Other actresses were initially considered, including Felicity Jones. She landed the role due to her chemistry reading with Josh O’Connor, which impressed the director so much that he asked her to audition for the role of Diana.
Prince Harry’s Suggestion
While on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Prince Harry suggested Damian Lewis, an actor who famously starred in Homeland and Billions, as a potential choice to play his part in The Crown. Though lighthearted, the suggestion showcased Harry’s laid-back view of the fictional portrayal of his family.
Prince William’s Advice
When Matt Smith met Prince William, he was told that his portrayal of Prince Philip was spot on. The young prince offered just one piece of advice about his grandfather: “Just one word—legend. He’s an absolute legend.” The comment captured Prince William’s reverence for his family members.
A Royal Rating
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly enjoyed watching Season 1 of The Crown on a projector on the weekends. However, Prince Philip seemingly didn’t share the same enthusiasm. At a dinner party, when asked if he had viewed the series, he apparently responded with, “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Points For Accuracy
In The Crown, Prince Charles’s investiture scene was shot at Caernarfon Castle in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, the same location where the actual event took place in 1969. The historical accuracy of the setting added authenticity to the recreation of this significant royal moment.
Season Two Upturned Noses
Rumor has it that Queen Elizabeth II was displeased with the depiction of Prince Philip and Charles’s relationship in Season 2. An insider said that she found certain portrayals annoying, particularly those showing a strained relationship between Philip and Charles during his youth, such as the events in episode nine.
Destined For Royalty
Paul Bettany was close to securing the part of Prince Philip during the third and fourth seasons of The Crown. However, scheduling conflicts prevented him from bagging the part, which ultimately went to Tobias Menzies, who did not disappoint with his memorable performance.
Support For The Sussexes
Several members of The Crown cast publicly voiced their support for Prince Harry and Meghan Markleafter they revealed their decision to step down from royal duties. The actors praised the couple for prioritizing their well-being and wished them the best on their journey together
The Choicest Of The Lot
It was filmed in over eight locations, including Lancaster House, which hosted the Queen’s office and staterooms. Lancaster House often stands in for Buckingham Palace, appearing in films like The King’s Speech. Other notable shoot destinations include Wilton House, Winchester Cathedral, and Elstree Studios.
Best Of The Best
The Crown has won over 25 major awards in its first two seasons, including an impressive haul at the Emmys, where it became the first drama series to sweep all seven major categories in 2021. It has also earned 53 BAFTA nominations and won seven Golden Globes.
