Netflix is reportedly working on a prequel series for its acclaimed show The Crown. This new project will explore the period from Queen Victoria’s death to Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding, covering the early 20th century. However, there are concerns about whether this prequel will be as successful as its predecessor.
The Crown’s creator, Peter Morgan, has long hinted at the idea of a prequel. It seems that Netflix and the production company have finally reached an agreement, with a reported £500m deal in place. A TV insider shared that negotiations had been ongoing for some time before the deal was finalized.
The prequel will focus on the reigns of Edward VII (1901–1910), George V (1910–1936), Edward VIII (1936), and George VI (1936–1952). This era includes significant historical events such as the First and Second World Wars. While it’s a rich period for storytelling, it’s already been explored in other popular shows like Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders.
One of the most notable events from this era was King Edward VIII’s abdication, which was covered in The Crown. Through flashbacks and direct testimony from Edward VIII himself, the show provided a comprehensive look at the incident.
The Crown originally covered the following eras:
- Seasons one and two (1947 to 1964): Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth II, depicting her marriage to Prince Philip, her father’s death, her coronation, and her sister Princess Margaret’s love affair with Peter Townsend.
- Seasons three and four (1964 to 1990): Olivia Colman took over as the queen, showing her navigating Prime Ministers like Thatcher, Prince Charles’ marriage to Princess Diana, and Prince Philip’s passion for the moon landing.
- Seasons five and six (1990 to 2005): Imelda Staunton portrayed the queen, exploring her relationship with her children, Princess Diana’s death, and Prince William meeting Kate Middleton.
What made The Crown so compelling was its recent and relevant approach. It was daring to create a drama about living figures, and it often tackled contemporary issues. For example, an episode depicted Queen Elizabeth II doting on Prince Andrew during the Epstein scandal. The show also addressed the breakdown of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage in the context of Prince Harry and Meghan’s struggles with the royal family.
The cultural impact of The Crown was heightened when Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022, just weeks before the fifth season was released. This timing made the show feel consistently timely and relevant.
A poll asked if people were excited about the prequel:
- Yes – very happy for more!
- No, I’m not a fan
- I’m skeptical but will give it a shot
Despite skepticism, there is potential for the prequel. The monarchy is currently in a precarious position, and a series that doesn’t shy away from revealing the institution’s darker truths could be compelling. The early reigns of Edward VII and George V are seldom explored in pop culture, offering plenty of room for new and exciting storylines.
Fans have generally responded positively to the idea. Some comments on Reddit include:
- “If this turns out to be as good as the first 2-3 seasons of The Crown, I’ll watch the hell out of it.”
- “This news made my day.”
- “This is awesome! A lot of plot to cover and most of it will be new to a lot of people!”
- “This is exciting! The early seasons of The Crown were great at delving into history and politics, which I feel were sadly missing from the later seasons. This is going to cover some interesting historical territory.”
- “Starting when Queen Victoria dies instead of focusing on her reign has me foaming at the mouth for this.”
Peter Morgan has explained his reasoning for the prequel. He told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024 that he couldn’t imagine going further into the present but wasn’t done with the subject. He believes that exploring the past offers a unique opportunity to tell stories that reflect on the present.
The prequel is currently being written, with casting expected to take place next year. The Crown is available to stream on Netflix now.
