The Crown: How Netflix’s Royal Drama Transformed Television and Left an Enduring Legacy
Introduction: A Royal Achievement in Television History
The Crown, Netflix’s groundbreaking historical drama about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, has cemented its place as one of the most influential television series of our time. The sixth season was released in two parts, the first on 16 November 2023 and the second on 14 December 2023, marking the end of a remarkable journey that spanned six seasons and nearly six decades of British royal history. The series’ importance extends far beyond entertainment, fundamentally changing how audiences engage with historical drama and offering an unprecedented glimpse into the private lives of one of the world’s most famous families.
Award-Winning Excellence and Critical Acclaim
Peter Morgan’s groundbreaking series came to an end in 2023, but the show continues to be as historic as its subject’s legacy, landing 18 Emmy nominations for the sixth and final season. The series’ accolades are truly extraordinary. In 2021, the series won all seven drama categories at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the first to do so. Overall, The Crown received 87 Emmy nominations over the course of its six seasons, with 21 wins, whilst the series has been nominated for 23 Golden Globes over six seasons, winning seven of those awards.
Production Scale and Cultural Impact
The series represented an unprecedented investment in television drama. The first 10-part season was the most expensive drama produced by Netflix and Left Bank Pictures, costing at least £100 million, and as of 2020, the estimated production budget of The Crown has been reported to be $260 million, making it one of the most expensive television series ever. This lavish investment paid dividends in creating a truly immersive historical experience.
The show’s cultural influence extended beyond viewership figures. The Wikipedia page for the Aberfan disaster averaged around 1,500 visitors a day before The Crown Season 3, Episode 3, but has since been viewed 2.1 million times, demonstrating how the series drove public interest in historical events. Even more surprisingly, Queen Elizabeth II was known for her love of corgis, and the success of The Crown has apparently contributed to their popularity. The Pembroke Welsh corgi is no longer listed as at risk by the Kennel Club. According to the international dog registry’s website, interest in corgis soared by 22% after Season 2 first aired.
Legacy and Significance for Viewers
The Crown’s legacy lies in its unique approach to historical storytelling. The series “speculated on what might make them tick, what might be behind the facade that everyone knows, so that you can see them as human beings. This series has speculated on what that inner world of the royal family might be, and what I love about it is that, oh, surprise surprise, they’re just like the rest of us, in so many ways”. This humanising approach fundamentally changed how audiences perceive the monarchy.
Despite some criticism regarding historical inaccuracies, particularly in the latter half of the series’s run, The Crown’s impact on television drama remains undeniable. The historical drama is the first global Netflix original show to be produced and filmed in the UK, streaming a total of 60 episodes across six seasons. For viewers, The Crown offers valuable lessons about duty, family, and the weight of tradition whilst providing entertainment that bridges the gap between historical documentation and dramatic storytelling, ensuring its relevance for years to come.