Actor Imelda Staunton has introduced her royal role in Netflix's fifth season of The Crown with a queenly speech direct from the set.
In her speech, Staunton praised actors Olivia Colman and Claire Foy, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the show's first four seasons, describing their performances as "wonderful" and expressing her hope to deliver a "calm, collected and capable" showing as the Queen, though admitted her nerves were palpable at the magnitude of the role. She added she would "do [her] utmost to maintain the very high standard" that the previous castings set.
The Crown dramatizes the life and times of the British Royal Family, focusing on the sprawling reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her sudden coronation in 1952 through to the modern day. Each season hones in on a set period of the monarchy's rule and portrays the various events, decisions and scandals that defined it. The leading roles are recast every two seasons, with progressively older actors filling the shoes of characters like the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Guest stars also appear as Britain's successive prime ministers, known for their weekly audience with the monarch, such as John Lithgow as Winston Churchill and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher.
Filming of The Crown's sixth season recently paused following the death of Queen Elizabeth II earlier in September. Showrunner Peter Morgan issued a statement describing The Crown as "a love letter" to the reign of Elizabeth II and said filming would temporarily halt to "show respect to the Queen." Despite the royal passing, The Crown's fifth season will release on Nov. 9 as previously scheduled. The season will focus on the family's scandal-filled 1990s era and include landmark moments such as the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle and the separation of Charles and Diana.
Praise for The Crown
The Crown has continually received high critical praise for its solid cast performances and engaging retelling of the royal story. However, it has drawn some criticism for its creatively liberal portrayals of private conversations between family members and for including entirely fabricated drama scenes. The British government once sought a disclaimer for the show, warning viewers that The Crown is a work of fiction, despite its basis in historical accounts.
The Crown's fifth season debuts on Netflix on Nov. 9. The show's sixth and final season is expected to air in 2024.
Source: YouTube