After finishing what felt like the longest semester of my life and returning home for the break, my first thought was: “What new television shows should I start bingeing now that I don’t have to go to any classes for a month?” I logged into my Netflix account and anxiously awaited the new — or at least new to me — titles that would appear front and center on the homepage. One of the images that immediately caught my attention was a promotional photograph for a new Netlfix original called, “The Crown.” The name sounded really familiar to me, as it first premiered on the website in November; however, I didn’t think much of it at the time. I read the description and was intrigued enough to start the first episode.
The pilot episode whisks the audience away to Buckingham Palace in the late 1940s as the future Queen Elizabeth II is preparing to marry her childhood sweetheart, Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten (formerly Prince Philip of Denmark and Greece), when her father, King George VI, falls prey to lung cancer. The first two episodes, which take place over the course of five years, lead up to the King’s death, as well as the preparation for Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne. The series’ first season, which only consists of eight episodes, focuses on Elizabeth’s struggle between her personal life and the duty to her country. With every episode that I watched, I fell more in love with the characters. I laughed, I cried, and I was immediately upset when the final episode of the season came to a close, leaving me and many of the other viewers hungry for more. I’ve never been much of a period drama enthusiast, but “The Crown” sparked an interest in me that I did not know existed before. I recommended the series to my parents, who have in turn recommended the show to other friends and family members. If you’re looking for a new show to watch, this is definitely the show for you!
1. As mentioned before, there are only eight episodes!
While most recommended shows on Netflix, Hulu, and the like have way too many episodes and seasons to catch up on, “The Crown” only has one season so far and is definitely an easy watch. You’ll be so focused on the lives of the characters and the events unfolding before you that you won’t be paying much attention to how many minutes are left in the episode, or how many episodes are left until you finish the season.
2. Elizabeth, as well as many of the other women in the show, serve as strong female role models.
In a time where feminism is majorly relevant, strong female role models in television and movies are extremely inspiring and refreshing to see. Elizabeth began her reign in a time where it was extremely difficult to be taken seriously as a woman in a position of power. Throughout the series, she is constantly undermined by her male advisors, and at times, her own husband, but she proves nevertheless that she is not a force to be reckoned with. Regardless of her gender, she should be respected and treated as an equal to her male counterparts.
3. The series doesn’t just focus on Elizabeth.
“The Crown” introduces other historical figures, such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, King George VI, and Prime Minister Anthony Eden. Elizabeth’s children, Anne and Charles, are also briefly introduced in this season. Later seasons will focus more on the background stories of other members of the royal family and will eventually feature an arc regarding the relationship between the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles.
4. There are plenty of familiar faces in the show.
“The Crown” features a star-studded cast including that of Claire Foy (“Vampire Academy”) as Queen Elizabeth II, Matt Smith (“Doctor Who”) as Prince Philip, John Lithgow (“Shrek and Interstellar”) as Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Vanessa Kirby (“Me Before You”) as Princess Margaret, and Stephen Dillane (“Game of Thrones”) as the painter of Churchill’s 80th birthday portrait. Having watched a decent amount of interviews on YouTube, the cast of “The Crown” are a hilarious, endearing group of people. Matt Smith and Claire Foy even got to meet some of the members of the royal family to get some inspiration for their characters.
5. The cinematography and music is just amazing.
Take a listen.
6. “The Crown” is perfect for period drama lovers, and even those who just love the royal family.
Although the details and events of the show might not be entirely historically accurate, “The Crown” still manages to give you a sneak peek into the lives of the royal family as well as what it must have been like for Elizabeth and her family to adjust to her ascension onto the throne. If you put the cast and their real-life counterparts side by side, they do look scarily similar.
7. “The Crown” is critically acclaimed.
“The Crown” has won two Golden Globe Awards, one Critics’ Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as a variety of other awards in the past couple of months since its premiere on Netflix.
As of December, the cast is currently in production for the second season, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s coming! With these reasons in mind, and about nine months before the next season premieres on Netflix, you now have plenty of reasons to start watching “The Crown”! Happy Netflix-ing!
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