yacht in the crown season 5

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What really happened to Royal Yacht Britannia from ‘The Crown’ Season 5?

LONDON — The much-hyped fifth season of “The Crown” opens with a heavy-handed metaphor weighing approximately 4,000 tons.

It’s 1953, and a young Queen Elizabeth II, a month before her coronation, is in Scotland to launch the new royal yacht, the Britannia. “I hope this brand-new vessel, like your brand-new queen, will prove to be dependable and constant, capable of weathering any storm,” she declares to great applause.

And so the queen and her ship are inextricably linked as the Netflix TV show fast-forwards to 1991, when questions about costly repairs for the Britannia are presented in parallel to questions about whether the 65-year-old queen is too old for her role.

King Charles III wants to look ahead. ‘The Crown’ drags him back.

There is no missing that this is a narrative device in a series now labeled a “fictional dramatization.” But the episode’s release this week has renewed interest in the history of the royal yacht and ignited a debate about how the British monarch interacted with her government. It also happened to coincide with a modern-day echo of 1991, as new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, facing a recession, sank plans for a replacement royal yacht.

What to know about Britannia, ‘the floating palace’

There is a real Royal Yacht Britannia, and, as in the show, the young queen really did announce its name and christen it with a bottle of Empire wine. (Though not with a self-referential speech.)

The Britannia was the latest in a series of royal yachts dating back to 1660 and King Charles II . In 44 years of service, the ship sailed more than 1 million nautical miles — equivalent to more than 40 circumnavigations of Earth — calling at more than 600 ports in 135 countries and projecting British influence around the world.

The Britannia was used for state visits and receptions, royal family holidays and honeymoons. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton all spent time on board, as did Boris Yeltsin and Nelson Mandela. When civil war broke out in South Yemen in 1986, the yacht was rerouted to help evacuate civilians.

“The Crown” suggests the yacht was the queen’s favorite “home,” cherished even more than Balmoral in the Scottish highlands. Biographers don’t dispute that this could have been true. In his book “Queen of Our Times,” Robert Hardman writes, “There were few places where the Queen would be happier.”

Although served by a crew of 220, the ship was a place where the royal family could relax and escape the watchful eye of the public. Hugh Casson, who designed the interior, once recounted, “the overall idea was to give the impression of a country house at sea.” Prince Philip, the queen’s husband, was fascinated with the birds he saw during voyages in the 1950s and even published a book titled “Birds from Britannia.”

Did the queen lobby for repairs?

The controversial part of “The Crown” portrayal centers on whether the queen actively lobbied Prime Minister John Major for the government to pay for extensive repairs — which could have amounted to inappropriate interference in politics by a constitutional monarch.

She says in the show: “Here I am, coming to you, prime minister, on bended knee, for the sign-off, but I’m hoping that will be a formality.”

The character of Major, who was prime minister during a tough recession, responds by suggesting the royal yacht is “something of a luxury” and that spending public money on it while the economy is in the tank would not be good for the government or the royal family.

The queen persists, arguing that the yacht is “a central and indispensable part of the way the crown serves the nation” and “a floating, seagoing expression of me.”

The queen-ship metaphor is dragged out in a later conversation, when the character of Prince Charles — impatient to be king — tells Major about the Britannia: “Sometimes these old things are too costly to keep repairing.”

So did any of that actually take place?

The real-life Major has called the show’s imagined conversations “a barrel-load of nonsense.”

Robert Lacey, a historical consultant on “The Crown,” defended the depiction. He told The Washington Post that the subject of the yacht would have inevitably come up between the queen and the prime minister, who met once a week to discuss matters of state.

“She certainly spoke about it to the prime minister,” Lacey said. “Obviously, the royal family would have lobbied for it. The queen did want another royal yacht.”

Hardman, the royal biographer, insisted that while the queen no doubt would have been interested in repairs or a replacement, she would not have “leaned on her prime ministers for money.”

In a letter written in 1994, later stored in the National Archives, the queen’s deputy private secretary Kenneth Scott wrote to the cabinet office that “the Queen would naturally very much welcome it if a way could be found of making available for the nation in the 21st century the kind of service which Britannia has provided for the last 43 years.”

Scott noted, however, that “the question of whether there should be a replacement yacht is very much one for the government” and “the last thing I should like to see is a newspaper headline saying ‘Queen Demands New Yacht.’”

The Times of London headline when the letter was uncovered in 2018: “ I want a new yacht, Queen told Whitehall in secret letter .”

What happened to the Britannia?

Major’s government wasn’t swayed by arguments to repair or renew the ship. Even with a retrofit costing an estimated 17 million pounds, the Britannia would be expensive to run and hard to maintain. It was hard to justify when air travel was a readily available alternative for royal trips and trade missions.

The yacht’s final voyage abroad was to Hong Kong in 1997, when the territory was handed back to China. A few months later, the Britannia undertook a farewell tour of Britain, calling at six major ports and blasting its sirens as it passed the shipyard that built it, before returning for a decommissioning ceremony in Portsmouth, England on Dec. 11, 1997. The ship’s clocks were stopped. The Royal Marines band played. Lacey noted: “The only time the queen was seen to cry was when the royal yacht was de-commissioned.”

The ship is now a visitor attraction site in Edinburgh, Scotland. On the day of the queen’s state funeral in September, a lone piper played a lament on the deck.

What about plans for a replacement royal yacht?

The possibility of a replacement yacht gained some traction during the 1997 general election, but the incoming Labour government nixed the idea.

More than two decades later, as part of a campaign to promote a reinvigorated “Global Britain” in the aftermath of Brexit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed a new royal yacht . There was a push to name the ship after Prince Philip, who died last year, though it would be more for the government than for the royal family. In Johnson’s vision, the ship would tour the world as a “floating embassy,” where officials would host summits and cement trade deals. It would cost an estimated 250 million pounds to build, plus 30 million pounds a year to run.

But once again, the economic climate is not favorable for big yacht projects. The new Sunak administration announced this week that it was terminating the royal yacht plan and would instead procure a surveillance ship that could protect energy cables and other infrastructure. The prime minister’s spokesman said it was “right to prioritize at a time when difficult spending decisions need to be made.”

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What to Know About the Royal Yacht Britannia Featured on 'The Crown' Season 5

The Royal Yacht Britannia served as the official royal yacht of the British monarchy for 44 years

The Crown is diving into royal events from the '90s in season 5 , and that includes the decommissioning of Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, also known as the Royal Yacht Britannia.

In the first episode of the new season, Claire Foy ( who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in seasons 1 and 2) reprises her role as the monarch as a flashback shows the yacht's official launch in April 1953.

At the time, the new yacht held special significance as it was launched by the Queen just before her own coronation in June 1953 .

Through the years, the vessel sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits with the royal family as they entertained prime ministers and presidents, per the Royal Yacht Britannia website. It also served as the venue for several royal honeymoons , including Princess Diana and Princes Charles in 1981 .

From when it was commissioned to where the Royal Yacht Britannia is now, here's everything to know about the royal yacht.

When was the Royal Yacht Britannia commissioned?

As shown on The Crown , Royal Yacht Britannia was officially launched on April 16, 1953 , at the shipyard of John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, where Queen Elizabeth unveiled the yacht's official name.

Following Queen Elizabeth 's coronation on June 2, 1953, the Royal Yacht Britannia was commissioned into the Royal Navy on January 11, 1954, before sailing her first overseas port on April 22.

How big is the Royal Yacht Britannia?

The Royal Yacht Britannia is about 412 feet long , with a beam width of 55 feet and five decks , and weighs over 4,000 tons.

Who used the Royal Yacht Britannia?

The yacht was described as the royal family's "floating residence" during its 44 years of service. As it was used to host "magnificent state receptions and banquets, and guests ," numerous world leaders boarded the yacht over the years, including Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi.

Per the Royal Yacht Britannia website, the yacht also " allowed the Royal Family some rare privacy away from their public duties and was famously described by HM Queen Elizabeth II as 'the one place I can truly relax.' "

Furthermore, the Royal Yacht Britannia was the venue of four royal honeymoons : Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. All four royal marriages ended in divorce, which Queen Elizabeth famously reflected on in her 1992 speech where she referred to the past year as her "annus horribilis ," or horrible year.

When was the Royal Yacht Britannia decommissioned?

The yacht's retirement was announced in 1994 as a result of the substantial costs needed to repair the ship. It was estimated that the cost would £17 million, which would only prolong the yacht for another five years.

On December 11, 1997, the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned during an official ceremony that was attended by most of the senior members of the royal family. It was been reported that Queen Elizabeth was seen uncharacteristically shedding a tear during the decommissioning.

"Looking back over 44 years we can all reflect with pride and gratitude upon this great ship which has served the country, the Royal Navy and my family with such distinction," the Queen said at the time .

Where is the Royal Yacht Britannia now?

Listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, people can now visit the Royal Yacht Britannia at Port of Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visitors are able to see various parts of the yacht including Britannia's five decks, the state apartments, as well as the Sun Lounge, which was the Queen's favorite room in which to have her afternoon tea.

Does the Royal Yacht Britannia have a successor?

Plans for a successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia first began in 2019 when it was reported that the late Sir Donald Gosling had donated £50 million to pay for the construction . In 2021, the yacht was commissioned by Boris Johnson to host trade fairs and diplomatic events and it was expected to go into service in 2024 or 2025.

However, in November 2022, it was reported by BBC that plans for the yacht were being scrapped as the government "searches for spending cuts." The new yacht was estimated to cost up to £250 million.

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Take a peek inside the luxury yachts starring in Netflix's The Crown

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By Steph Loseby   17 November 2022

Netflix’s royal drama, The Crown has been captivating audiences since 2016 by following the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped the second half of the twentieth century. Taking readers behind the scenes, YachtCharterFleet identifies all the yachts that have featured on the show.

The hit series first premiered on the 4th of November 2016 and has since become one of the most talked about shows in the world, with the fifth instalment of the semi-fictional show currently airing on Netflix.

Each season follows a different moment in Royal history; from the marriage of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip all the way through the Queen’s reign spanning the 20th and 21st century. While fans of The Crown had hoped the series would run until the present day, creator Peter Morgan has confirmed that the up-coming sixth season of the show, taking the royal family into the early 2000s, will be the last in the series.

As viewers reach season five of the drama series, they witness the royals on various voyages onboard luxury superyachts. Viewers may begin to question which yachts are featured on The Crown ? How much do they cost? What do the yachts look like inside? 

We reveal all the details you need to know about the yachts used for filming in The Crown .

Royal Yacht Britannia – Seasons 2 & 5

In season 2 of The Crown, viewers witness the first sighting of the Royal Yacht Britannia when Prince Philip embarks on his solo world tour. This yacht is seen in the hit drama as a replica of the real steam-propelled vessel that spent 44 years in the service of the Royal Family.

Philip’s tour sees him take the Royal Yacht through Bermuda , Tonga , up the Amazon, across Antarctica and to the Melbourne Olympics. From there, Britannia sails back to Bermuda where the 1920s fishing port in New Harbour became the King’s Wharf dock, and the Arabella Hotel golf course acted as Bermuda’s Port Royal course.

For deck scenes on Britannia, the crew traveled to Cape Agulhas in South Africa where the team built a huge fake deck suspended over the sea, providing a suitable backdrop for ocean-going scenes. The sea behind was used for all filming and acted as the Caribbean and the Antarctic Ocean.

The Crown Season 5 begins with a young Queen Elizabeth II launching the Royal Yacht Britannia, a yacht that sailed more than one million nautical miles on 968 state visits around the world. This vessel also served as the platform for several royal honeymoons including Princess Diana and Prince Charles in August 1981.

Launched on 16 April 1953, the Royal Yacht Britannia is 125m (412ft) with a bean width of 16m (55 feet) and boasts 5 opulent deck spaces where guests can relax, rejuvenate and socialize. The Queen chose deep blue for Britannia’s hull, instead of the more traditional black and proudly displays her crest on her bow and stern, but, unlike other vessels, her name is not on the side of the ship.

Inside Yacht Britannia

Although no filming took place on board, the interiors of Royal Yacht Britannia actually featured in season two of the Netflix Royal Drama during the Queen’s tour. The Royal Yacht Britannia team worked closely with Art Director James Wakefield to ensure that every scene set onboard was as precise and accurate as possible. After documenting and photographing, the team then created their very own Royal Yacht, with outstanding attention to detail to bring the same interiors to life.

As you can see in the images above, the Queen’s bedroom, which can be witnessed multiple times on the show during her tour of Britannia, was carefully created with crucial details allowing viewers to really see everything as it once was onboard. An eye-catching detail within the room, dating back to 1953, is an embroidered silk panel above The Queen’s bed which was beautifully replicated for the show.

How much does it cost to rent Royal Yacht Britannia?

Today, Britannia sits permanently docked in Edinburgh where visitors can take tours of its grand galleys or even rent it out for events. The Royal Yacht Britannia can not be rented for charter vacations.

Yacht CHRISTINA O – Series 5

Also starring in the fifth installment of The Crown , the classic yacht CHRISTINA O was selected to represent the yacht ALEXANDER , on which the Royal couple Princess Diana and Charles celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary.

Filmed on the Balearic Island of Mallorca , viewers witness Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West in their portrayals of Princess Diana and Prince Charles respectively as they recreate their 1991 yacht vacation in Italy .

Inside superyacht CHRISTINA O

Launched in 1943, CHRISTINA O boasts an impressive history having once served in World War 2 as a convoy escort and was then bought for scrap value by the Greek Shipping tycoon, Aristotle Onassis, who spent a further $4 million refurbishing her as a luxury yacht, and went on to host luminary greats such as Paul Getty, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor around the burgeoning French Riviera in the fifties and sixties.

Her interiors are striking and exquisite, from her stunning gilded spiral staircase to her exclusive piano lounge and bar, CHRISTINA O is home to an abundance of expansive social spaces that are ideal for elegant soirees or pre-dinner aperitifs.

Other highlights onboard include her Six Senses Spa and an exquisite mosaic-tiled pool that can be elevated at the touch of a button to become a dance floor.

How much does it cost to rent CHRISTINA O?

Showcasing decadent Old-World glamor and allure, CHRISTINA O is still one of the largest yachts in the fleet and is available to charter for $647,500 a week. 

This cost includes the incredible five-star service from her highly trained and professional crew of 38.

Superyacht TITANIA – Season 5

Season 5 of The Crown uses the 73m (239ft) superyacht TITANIA as a replica of the elegant Codecasa yacht JONIKAL (renamed BASH) . The yacht provides the perfect backdrop for the iconic scenes of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, the son of the yacht's former owner, when the couple took a vacation around the French Riviera in 1997, mere days before their tragic deaths in Paris on 31 August.

The Crown filmed onboard superyacht TITANIA on the Balearic island of Mallorca, around the port town of Andratx and recreated the famous shot of Diana alone with her thoughts at the end of the diving board taken in Portofino , Italy,

Inside Yacht TITANIA

Delivered in 2006 and refitted in 2020, she was designed by world-renowned naval architect Espen Øino and offers a timeless and sophisticated appeal, ideal for recreating the iconic scenes in The Crown .

Boasting impeccable interiors, the yacht's open plan layout lends her perfectly to entertaining and her opulent style adds a new level of luxury and excellence to her social areas. Putting the priority on indoor/outdoor living, superyacht TITANIA has everything a discerning traveler could desire on a private yacht charter .

Onboard highlights include an expansive beach club with an extendable swim platform, a beautiful winter garden and a full beam observation lounge. The motor yacht is versatile for a variety of charter party configurations with accommodation up to 12 guests in seven bespoke cabins.

How much does it cost to rent superyacht TITANIA?

It costs a total of €595,000 per week plus expenses to rent out the yacht TITANIA privately.

Interested in one of The Crown's superyachts for rental?

For more details on chartering any of the above yachts, speak to your preferred  charter broker . They can provide you with personalized information and advice concerning your vacation, creating an itinerary that perfectly caters to your individual needs.

Featured charter yachts starring in TV and Film

99m Canadian Vickers 1943 / 2020

73m Lurssen 2006 / 2020

73m Admiral Yachts 2018

85m Lurssen 2013 / 2022

60m Mondo Marine 2017

95m Lurssen 2014

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The Crown Season 5 Filming Locations: In Detail

Article by jane, november 11th, 2022.

The Crown Season 5 filming locations include Ardverikie, Lancaster House, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Wellington College, Cobham Hall School, Winchester College, Burghley House, Brompton Cemetery, Greenwich ORNC, Lincoln’s Inn and the London Coliseum. Further scenes were filmed on the Netflix show’s extensive sets around Elstree Studios.

As the Netflix drama moves into the 1990s, it revisits some of the established locations for the royal palaces, and adds new settings. We’re also in for a change of cast, led by Imelda Staunton as the Queen, with Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.

Marcia Warren steps in the Queen Mother, while Timothy Dalton plays Peter Townsend for a brief reunion. Dominic West takes over as Prince Charles, with Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana and Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles.

New figures for The Crown Season 5 include Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) and his son Dodi (Khalid Abdalla), Penny Knatchbull (Natascha McElhone) and John Major (Jonny Lee Miller). Flashbacks also give us glimpses of earlier cast members and filming locations.

Where Was The Crown Season 5 Filmed?

The Crown Season 5 was filmed in Chatham, Greenwich, the Moray Firth, Ardverikie, Knebworth, Wellington College, Brompton Cemetery, Somerley House, Eastbourne Pier, Winchester College, Wrotham Park, Lancaster House, Lincoln’s Inn, and more stunning locations.

However, with the show growing bigger each season, the number of sets at Elstree has also grown. The Britannia, royal residences and Downing Street are among the custom-built backdrops.

The Crown Series 5 Filming Locations

John brown and company shipyard.

We see the ship in two eras. After Claire Foy’s Elizabeth has launched the ship, we see Imelda Staunton’s Queen at Chatham Historic Dockyard as she boards the Britannia to sail to Balmoral.

And here’s where to watch the real Britannia launch! It’s right here on the BBC Scotland News Facebook page .

Royal Yacht Britannia

The Crown Season 5 Britannia scenes were filmed on the real Royal Yacht and a replica built at Elstree Studios . The recreated top deck of the Royal Yacht’s appears in the dinner scene at the start of Episode 5. Other parts of the ship were duplicated elsewhere at the Netflix show’s Elstree base.

In an interview with Elle Décor , production designer Martin Childs confirmed the filming locations for the Britannia in Season 5 of The Crown. And it’s confirmed that the lower decks were used. We think these are the engine room scenes, which show off the machinery visible from above on the tour.

You can visit the real Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, to the north of Edinburgh. Visitors can see the real engine rooms, Prince Philip’s art supplies, family lounges and bedrooms on the now-decommissioned Britannia. There’s also a permanent Royal Deck Tea Room , if you want to dine like the royal family in the scenes from The Crown Season 5.

Balmoral Castle

Interior shots for the Balmoral scenes have been filmed at Knebworth throughout the Netflix show’s run. Knebworth House confirmed that it’s a filming location for The Crown Season 5, sharing the news online the day before its release .

Knebworth’s dramatic architecture makes it a popular filming location, and The Crown’s substitute for Balmoral’s Scottish Baronial style. You can visit this location easily – check for opening days and special events! https://www.knebworthhouse.com/

The exterior belongs to Ardverikie in Newtonmore - also known as Glenbogle from Monarch of the Glen. And the surrounding land appears in the show as well.

Balmoral Estate

Balmoral scenes for The Crown Season 5 were filmed around Kinloch Laggan and Lossiemouth. Kinloch Laggan is where Ardverikie is situated, and this is a real Highland location. Like the real Balmoral Estate, it’s in the Cairngorms National Park . This year, other locations add to the landscape for loch scenes.

The Crown’s loch scenes were filmed around the Moray Firth near Lossiemouth and the Covesea Lighthouse. The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald caught Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville in costume for the scenes.

In the Season 1 Episode 1 loch scenes, Princess Margaret and the Queen spend time together in a boat on the loch.

Range Rover Scenes

Prince Philip’s driving scenes were filmed in Hertfortshire. Back in October 2021, Jonathan Pryce was spotted filming the Range Rover driving scenes - part of Prince Philip’s life outside the palace. In Season 5, we see the Duke of Edinburgh following his love of driving and of carriage racing.

Lowther Horse Show

According to the Stamford Mercury , the Lowther Horse Show scenes were filmed at Burghley’s grounds.

As the series goes on Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull's friendship attracts controversy – until Prince Philip asks the Queen to give her approval. While the Netflix series raises questions about the relationship, there’s no doubt that Prince Philip was devoted to carriage racing.

The Duke of Edinburgh competed in the sport, notably the Royal Windsor Horse Show, until the early 2000s. As described in the episode, he sought it out as an alternative to polo .

Kensington Palace

Wellington College has been used as Kensington Palace in The Crown from Season 3 onwards. It appears again in Episode 4, “Annus Horribilis”, and other scenes involving Princess Diana. The Princess of Wales famously lived in one of the palace’s apartments after her split from Prince Charles.

London Streets

Lincoln’s Inn Fields appear in The Crown’s London street scenes as Princess Diana agrees to be interviewed for Andrew Morton’s book. The gateway is visible, along with the surrounding terraces.

Buckingham Palace

Wrotham Park has been used as the Queen’s audience room since The Crown Season 1. Over the years, The Crown has filmed Buckingham Palace scenes at Wilton House, Goldsmiths Hall and Greenwich Old Royal Naval College.

The palace’s portico scenes used to be filmed in Greenwich, but have been switched for a replica in Elstree Studios. Other palace interiors are filmed on custom sets at Elstree too.

The Ritz Paris

The Crown’s Ritz hotel filming location is Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. The Rothschild mansion appears in Season 5 Episode 3 “Mou Mou”. Look out for the dining room’s mantelpiece and mirrors. This room is seen in the meeting to buy the Ritz, and later when Mohamed Al-Fayed speaks with Sydney Johnson, personal valet to the Duke of Windsor.

Of course, the real Ritz Paris has taken on a different role in the story of the Royal Family, Princess Diana, and the Al-Fayeds. But in Season 5 Episode 3, we’re focusing on the Al-Fayed patriarch’s story and love of prestigious settings.

Bois du Boulogne/Villa Windsor

The Crown’s Bois du Boulogne locations are Halton House and West Wycombe Park. Halton House appeared as the former Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson’s French retreat in the Netflix show’s earlier seasons. It makes a return in Season 5 Episode 3. Look out for the exterior as the former king trains his valet.

Halton recently appeared in Enola Holmes 2 as the Lyon family home – one of many screen moments. It was built for the Rothschilds, who still own the nearby Waddesdon Manor, and as a result they share some architectural links.

West Wycombe Park is another original Bois du Boulogne filming location from The Crown Season 1 that appears in Season 5 Episode 3. Look out for it in the interior shots as Mohamed Al-Fayed and Sydney Johnson inspect Wallis Simpson’s house after her death. Halton House’s entrance and West Wycombe Park’s as the Queen’s representative removes Edward VIII’s abdication desk and letters.

As shown in the Netflix series, Sydney Johnson worked at the house in its heyday and during its renovation. The real valet to the former Edward VIII said, of the Villa Windsor’s restoration:

“I feel on top of the world… the restoration is so authentic I expect to see the duchess stepping down the staircase asking, ‘How do I look?’” Sydney Johnson, Valet to the Duke of Windsor and Mohamed Al-Fayed

If you want to see the real Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s décor, Architectural Digest has captured it in amazing detail . Everything from the clocks to the North Persian carpets is recorded.

Look out for Harrods in the shots of Mohamed Al-Fayed looking over his newest purchase. This looks very much like the real Harrods department store in Kensington, complete with its illuminations.

The real Harrods is a fixture of Knightsbridge to this day. But the prestigious shopping destination’s relationship with the Royal Family has changed over the years.

In 2000, Prince Philip withdrew his royal warrant. The store had held royal warrants since the 1950s. But after the Duke of Edinburgh declined to renew, Mohamed Al-Fayed spoke out to say he wouldn’t seek to renew the Queen or Prince of Wales’ warrants. Harrods then-owner elaborated:

“We are proud of the Harrods reputation as the world’s finest store and we naturally welcome discerning shoppers from all over the world… The royal family, with the exception of Prince Philip, are welcome to shop at Harrods at any time.” Mohamed Al-Fayed

Sydney Johnson’s Grave

The Crown cemetery location for Sydney Johnson’s grave is Brompton Cemetery in London. In The Crown, we see Mohamed Al-Fayed paying his respects over the gravestone. The engraving reads Sydney Johnson, Valet to the King.

Brompton Cemetery opened in 1840, and is still a working cemetery to this day. But it’s also a Grade I-listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens and a precious green space. You can find guides to the well-known figures who are buried there, and popular walking routes, on the Royal Parks website.

Moscow Streets

The Netflix show’s Moscow scenes were filmed in Bradford. In The Crown Season 5, the Queen’s car is seen driving through the streets of the Russian capital, actually Bradford’s Forster Square area.

The Telegraph and Argus caught filming in progress , with Russian signage appearing on Holdsworth Street, Canal Road and Valley Road.

Windsor Castle

Look out for Burghley Castle as The Crown’s Windsor Castle location in Season 5. The famous Windsor Castle fire scenes were filmed at Burghley, and smoke billowing over its roof . A replica of one of its rooms was also used as a fire-damaged Windsor in scenes of the Queen and Prince Philip surveying the damage.

Burghley also provides St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle after the repairs. It appears in the scenes of Prince William and the Queen having tea at Windsor during his time at Eton. Look out for it again when the Queen and Director General of the BBC have a tough conversation after Martin Bashir’s interview is screened.

You can visit this Crown location – check the opening dates for the house, grounds and restaurant.

Guildhall Jubilee Lunch

Look out for the exterior of the ORNC buildings at the opening of the episode, as the Queen exits the car. She is seen walking into the Painted Hall, climbing the steps to its distinctive black and white floor.

The artwork has a royal theme of its own. Among the scenes depicted around the Painted Hall, you’ll find the accessions of William and Mary, and George I. And you can indeed find the paintings for yourself, because it’s open to the public – check the website for current admission details .

The Queen really did make her famed “annus horribilis” comment during the Guildhall Jubilee Lunch . In reality, the Ruby Jubilee banquet on 24th November 1992 took place just days after the fire at Windsor Castle.

The real Guildhall , with its 600-year-old Great Hall, is the home of the Corporation of the City of London, who hosted the event. While it didn’t appear in this episode of The Crown, it is a popular filming location in its own right.

The Eton town and school locations in The Crown are Winchester College in Hampshire and the Cobham Hall School in Kent. Prince William’s car passes the entrance to the Winchester College in Season 5 Episode 7, “No Woman’s Land”, before the press call.

Winchester was founded in 1382, pipping Eton to the post by about 60 years. Princes William and Harry’s former school was founded in 1440, on the banks of the Thames. As seen in The Crown when the Queen considers inviting William for tea, Eton sits just on the edge of Windsor.

Eton College

Kent’s Cobham Hall School appears in glimpses of Eton’s courtyard and interior shots. Look out for the Gravesend school in the press call and William’s lesson on Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

It was confirmed as a filming location by Visit Kent , along with other local spots appearing in the likes of Enola Holmes 2 . While Eton is an all-boys school and Winchester has only recently become co-educational, Cobham Hall is an all-girls day and boarding school.

It was founded by socialite Bhicoo Batlivala , who had attended another prestigious school, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. But the building itself boasts its own royal connections. Cobham Hall has been home to the Barons of Cobham, Earls of Lennox and Earls of Darnley. Over the centuries, the residents have hosted royalty of their era, from Elizabeth I to the Duke of Windsor.

Broadcasting House

It looks like a real glimpse of Langham Place in Season 5 Episode 8, “Gunpowder”, with CGI assistance bringing the BBC’s Broadcasting House back to the 1990s. Built in 1932 , the Broadcasting House building was later updated with the glass-lined piazza space that occasionally appears in BBC features.

Eastbourne Pier

The Crown Season 5 Episode 8 features shots of Eastbourne’s pier and seafront . Look out for several angles in quick succession at the start of the sequence before the Bashir footage is reviewed.

Eastbourne’s shingle beach is another location seen in the episode, as the race to halt or allow the broadcast begins.

The Queens Hotel

Royal Variety Performance

The Royal Variety Performance scene was filmed at the London Coliseum on St Martin’s Lane in London . The London Coliseum’s exterior is seen as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive for the Royal Variety Performance on their wedding anniversary. The real auditorium appears as well, with shots from various angles throughout the second half of the episode.

As a side note, while the London Coliseum has hosted the event, it wasn’t the venue that year. On 19th November 1995, the day before Princess Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir aired, the Royal Variety Performance was held at the London Dominion.

The Queen and Prince Philip would have watched acts including Cirque du Soleil, Allan Stewart, Des O’Connor, Riverdance and Elaine Paige. Thanks to the Royal Variety Charity’s archive, you can check out the line-up right here .

Prince Charles’ Hong Kong scenes were filmed in London’s West End . The area already has a strong connection to China and Hong Kong, through local expat communities and Chinatown’s restaurants and importers.

Journals and essays written by King Charles III were shared with the press after he took the final trip in the Royal Yacht Britannia. In the texts , he wrote about his thoughts on the journey itself and the Hong Kong handover.

The Theatre

While the Princess of Wales’ fashion choices influenced the costumes shown in The Crown, they don’t appear at the same events. As Yahoo Life UK point out, the blue dress Diana is seen wearing to Swan Lake harks back to a Jaques Azagury dress she wore to an event at the Serpentine Gallery in 1995.

The Crown’s Highgrove location is the Somerley Estate in Dorset. Somerley appeared in Season 4 as Highgrove, and is also set to reappear in Season 6. Filming took place in October 2022 , before Season 5 had arrived on Netflix.

While Somerley isn’t open to the public, you can stay at this Crown location. There are holiday lets on the estate – or you can host a wedding or special event at the house. https://somerley.com/ That said, you can visit the real Highgrove gardens . In fact, King Charles III’s private residence in Gloucestershire has hosted garden tours for 25 years.

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Behind the scenes of The Crown Season 5: ‘You’re eating out of Tupperware and everybody’s got tiaras on’

Season five of The Crown opens with an old newsreel of the Queen christening the royal yacht Britannia in the 1950s. The film is fuzzy; the clothes are period-perfect. It could be a video of the real Queen Elizabeth II - but in this version, Claire Foy is standing there instead and the whole thing has been scripted by Peter Morgan.

Welcome to the world of the Crown, where the line between fact and fiction is increasingly blurred and controversy reigns. Anticipation has been at fever-pitch for weeks as an entirely new cast take the helm of Netflix’s flagship show, which landed on the streamer yesterday.

As the royal family move into the troubled Nineties, Olivia Colman has been replaced by Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II; Tobias Menzies (Prince Philip ) by Jonathan Pryce and Josh O’Connor (Prince - now King - Charles) by Dominic West. Needless to say, the actors involved all felt an immense pressure to make their interpretations count.

One of those was Elizabeth Debicki, who was “definitely” nervous picking up the baton to play Princess Diana (from Emma Corrin) during the period of the irrevocable breakdown of her marriage with Charles.

“The show does feel like an enormous responsibility,” she says. “The people watching the show come with such attachment and memory and a sense of ownership too over these characters in a way, not only from the people who’ve played them before, but also from their living memory and their history.

“So you have to leave a space for that. It’s sort of a dance between all those things.”

While some people found it easy (for Lesley Manville, the main thing she had to master to play Princess Margaret was “how to hold a cigarette with a holder”), finding the balance between the personal and the professional also proved a learning curve for Jonny Lee Miller, who plays John Major for this – his only – season.

“I grew up in a very socialist household,” he says. “We thought we knew who John Major was.” However, Miller found himself warming to the man the more he learned about him.

“We had a lot of similarities. We’re from the same part of the world. He’s from Worcester Park; I’m from Kingston. We both went to state grammar schools and we had theatrical parents,” he says (Major’s parents were part of the last generation of music hall performers).

As a result, “my respect for him grew massively,” says Miller. “Really what anyone’s trying to do when you’re playing whoever you’re playing is … you’re trying to sort of fall in love with them. Right? So there’s always a fascinating journey.”

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West agrees: “I obviously love [Charles]. I've never heard it put so well as Jonny just did, but actually you do [fall in love with them], and inevitably you take their side, or you give them the benefit of the doubt. I hope that will maybe happen when people see Charles.”

The Crown is no stranger to controversy, of course, and one of the main talking points this season is also likely to be Prince Andrew’s storyline.

As well as his brother’s marriage, his own, to Sarah Ferguson, was also breaking up in the Nineties, but crucially, this was also before the first of several scandals that have dogged him in recent years were made public – something actor James Murray had to bear in mind while shooting.

“As tempting as it may be to have that colour, the building of the character… I just put all that to one side,” he says, adding that we was given a huge amount of research to aid with his understanding of Andrew.

“You have a lot of luxuries that you don’t often get as an actor, which means you really don’t have to worry too much about the preconceptions of what the press have said about your character.”

These luxuries include everything from the props team and vocal coaches, all the way to the hair, costume and make-up departments, for whom the cast are full of praise.

“The [crew have] done four series. So we’ve come in and they all know what they’re doing, and that’s rather nice,” Imelda Staunton says. “We’re sort of riding on their wave of success. I mean, I was doing a scene yesterday, and I cannot tell you: the detail that went into giving me breakfast was absolutely extraordinary.”

“It’s exceptional,” Claudia Harrison, who plays Princess Anne, tells me. “You’re often on location: we film in beautiful stately homes with beautiful art on the walls.

“We were all wandering around these stately homes and they’ve got the props for the next season and Diana’s skiwear is there, for the scene where she’s moving out of Highgrove. It’s actual skiwear from the late eighties, because of course the royal family wouldn’t have the latest stuff.”

Jonathan Pryce sums it up best: “I recently went to Windsor Castle for real, and I had a bit of a look round, and I think our fake Windsor Castle is better.”

It must be music to the ears of the set design team, who managed to create their most complicated sets yet for the fifth season despite the well-publicised theft of several lorries full of antiques during filming.

Among those was a reconstruction of the Queen’s beloved yacht Britannia, which in the show becomes an increasingly overwrought metaphor for a royal family rapidly losing its relevance in a modern world.

“It was built on three soundstages and the back lot and a real ship,” production designer Martin Childs says.

“We used a real ship for the lowest decks, but the rest of it was all built from the ground up. Because it spread over so many sound stages and the back lot, the trick was finding ways to link all of those things, so technically that was a great thing to do.”

The set designers also had to make do with a fair amount of belt-and-braces prop-making. “The weirdest one was the open heart surgery. We had to get a prosthetic beating heart in a chest cavity that pumped blood,” the series set decorator, Alison Harvey, says (part of season five will focus on the grand, but ultimately doomed, love story between Diana and the surgeon Hasnat Khan, whom she referred to as “Mr Wonderful”).

“There was a puppeteer underneath the heart, puppeteering it to make it pump and at the same time there were little syringes pumping the blood, so Diana’s big love looked like a super-surgeon.”

This being a show about the royals, the figure of the real-life Queen Elizabeth II also looms large. The elusive public figure at the heart of The Crown, her death during the filming of season six appears to have affected the cast and crew deeply.

“I’d really felt I’d lost a daughter,” Marcia Warren, who brings the Queen Mother to life, tells me.

“I was jolly distraught about it, being the staunchest royalist you could find on earth. It was just awful.... poor Imelda, she was in an awful state about it, because you just feel so close to them all.”

Despite the at-times serious subject matter – and the pressure that comes with playing some of the most recognisable people on the planet – many of the cast and crew wouldn’t swap the experience for anything.

“We’re actors and our sense of humours are often the big thing,” Harrison tells me. “We’re sitting around on set and we’re having our lunch, and our sandwiches, and we look up and we go, ‘Oh my god, we’re with the royal family.’”

Warren adds, “And you’re eating out of Tupperware and everybody’s got tiaras on, and plastic forks. [It’s a] magical job.”

Season five of The Crown is streaming now on Netflix

A Guide to Each Episode in The Crown Season 5

The episode titles reveal the main themes of this season.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Episode 1: "Queen Victoria Syndrome"

The first episode of this season focuses on a 1991 poll featured in the Sunday Times , wherein the data indicates that Prince Charles is more popular than his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and suggests that some of her subjects would prefer she abdicate in favor of her son. The episode's title, "Queen Victoria Syndrome" refers to the fact that Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years, and was viewed as out of touch near the end of her reign. The text of the paper reads in the show, "Royal Historians might declare this phenomenon as Queen Victoria Syndrome, where the public begins to perceive a long-reigning monarch to be out of touch with her people."

Other moments in episode one focus on the Queen's annual summer vacation at Balmoral , the annual Ghillies Ball at Balmoral , and Prince Charles and Princess Diana's "second honeymoon" to Italy (that was not a honeymoon at all).

Episode 2: "The System"

The second episode of The Crown 's fifth season details how the royal family is not just a family, but also an institution . It opens with the death of Penny and Norton Knatchbull's daughter, Leonora Knatchbull, and explores the burgeoning friendship between Prince Philip and Penny, Philip's love of the sport of carriage driving, and Princess Diana's collaboration with journalist Andrew Morton on his book, Diana: Her True Story . (Her friend, Dr. James Colthurst , served as an intermediary for the two of them.)

When Philip gets wind of the book, he goes to see Princess Diana, and delivers a speech, telling her, in part, "You're long past the point of thinking of us as a family—that's the mistake people make in the beginning. But you understand, I think, it's a system. And we're all in this system. You, me, the Boss, the cousins, the uncles, the aunts... For better or for worse, we're all stuck in it. And we can't just air our grievances and throw bombs in the air as in a normal family, or we end up damaging much bigger and something much more important: The system."

"The system" can be understood as a stand in for " the Firm ," a term that the real Prince Philip supposedly popularized, but didn't originate; King George VI reportedly said, "We’re not a family. We’re a firm."

Episode 3: "Mou Mou"

The third episode takes viewers away from the royal family to focus on Mohamed Al Fayed , who becomes a key player in the royal drama to come. In one scene, Mohamed tells Princess Diana that all his friends call him by a nickname, "Mou Mou," and that she should call him that too. The episode serves as an introduction to Mohamed, and his son, Dodi Al Fayed . (Dodi's mother, Samira Khashoggi, also features at the start of the episode, set in Egypt.)

The main plot revolves around the Fayed father-son duo, and includes Mohamed's purchase of the Ritz Paris, Dodi making Chariots of Fire , and Mohamed's restoration of "Villa Windsor " after the death of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, as well as a depiction of how Mohamed uses his purchase of Harrods to try and get closer to the royal family.

Episode 4: "Annus Horribilis"

The fourth episode of season five is really the crux of the season, focusing on Queen Elizabeth's so-called "annus horribilis" or horrible year. This episode's title is taken directly from a speech the Queen gave just a few days after the 1992 Windsor Castle fire, where she said, "1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an 'Annus Horribilis'. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so."

Elsewhere in the episode, Princess Margaret reconnects with her love, Peter Townsend after an interview on Desert Island Discs.

Episode 5: "The Way Ahead"

The fifth episode of The Crown season five centers on The Way Ahead committee, when Queen Elizabeth tried to help steer the royals out of the "horrible" year and ensure that the Firm remained modern; yet, Prince Charles pushes back against their ideas, saying they are not moving fast enough with the times—and points to his own work with The Prince's Trust as a sign of modernizing the royalty (and yes, he really did breakdance at a Prince's Trust event.)

The more dramatic parts of the episode, however, focus on the affair between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles , and Charles's interview with Jonathan Dimbleby where he admits to infidelity. Their intimate phone call about Charles wanting to be a tampon is leaked to the press, and Princess Diana stepped out in her famous revenge dress .

Episode 6: "Ipatiev House"

The sixth episode's focus swings back to the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, with the plot centering on two main events: Boris Yeltsin's 1992 trip to London, and the Queen and Prince Philip's 1994 visit to Russia. An undercurrent of both trips was the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family at Ipatiev House during the 1917 Russian Revolution, and the show features flashbacks to King George V and Queen Mary—and the decision on whether or not to offer asylum to the Romanovs.

The end of the episode, too, features the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas, an annual royal tradition.

Episode 7: "No Woman's Land"

The seventh episode of season five details the end of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's relationship . At the beginning of the episode, Diana tells her acupuncturist about her loneliness as Prince William is about to start at Eton. The episode title comes from this start, when Princess Diana shares, "No one prepares you for what it's like to be separate. It's a strange sort of no-man's-land—" then, she corrects herself, "no-woman's-land." She laments, she's "neither married nor single, neither royal nor normal."

Also, Diana meets Hasnat Khan in this episode, the British Pakistani surgeon who was one of the men Diana was romantically linked to in the 90s—but Khan was reportedly the only one she called the love of her life.

Episode 8: "Gunpowder"

The eighth episode of The Crown season five focuses pretty much exclusively on the explosive Panorama interview Princess Diana did with Martin Bashir in 1995 . They film it on Guy Fawkes Night, November 5, which commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot (hence the episode title).

Episode 9: "Couple 31"

The ninth episode focuses on Princess Diana and Prince Charles's divorce, which was made official in 1995. Their story is intercut with conversations with other British couples who are divorcing; in court Charles and Diana are referred to as "couple 31." The two share a nice moment at Kensington Palace after their divorce, reviewing the marriage—what Charles calls an "audit" and Diana an "autopsy"—but then it turns sour. (In a lighter moment, Charles also proclaims his love for eggs, which is very real.)

Episode 10: "Decomissioned"

The final episode of this season centers on the decomissioning of the royal yacht , which this season makes a point of using as a metaphor for the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It also features Charles's 1997 trip to Hong Kong, where he witnessed the handover of Hong Kong from the UK to China, and the return of Mohamed and Dodi Al Fayed to the storyline—Mohamed invites Diana to travel with them on their yacht in Saint Tropez.

The final moments of the episode feature Mohamed arriving on his yacht for vacation, Princess Diana packing for that same trip, Dodi Al Fayed proposing to his girlfriend Kelly Fisher, and Queen Elizabeth saying goodbye to the Britannia .

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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The Crown, Season 5 Review

The kids are not all right..

The Crown, Season 5 is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

The fifth and penultimate season of The Crown – the first new season released since the deaths of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip - sees a fractious House of Windsor at the crossroads between a traditionalist past or a progressive future. The monarchy is at its lowest point since the abdication of Edward VIII. Parents don’t understand how their children turned out the way they did, spouses have grown estranged, and the public is increasingly frustrated by the exorbitant costs of maintaining a scandal-plagued royal family widely seen as out of touch. Nothing less than the survival of the monarchy is on the line. Regrets and retribution take center stage. Sprinkle in several major historical moments and the introduction of an entirely new main cast and The Crown Season 5 has a lot to balance. But keep calm and carry on because showrunner Peter Morgan and his team pull it all off with the grace, thoughtfulness, and gravitas we expect from Netflix’s awards darling.

There is a gloomy pall cast over the entire season and not just because its release comes two months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II . Finality and change are ever present, from Charles and Diana’s collapsing marriage to the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia to the end of Britain’s colonial rule of Hong Kong to the fire at Windsor Castle. The younger generation feels their time to shine has come while the elders see their successors as feckless and unready. This generational divide plays out not only within the royal family but within the BBC and the Al-Fayed family as well. The symbolism around this theme is more than a bit on the nose at times. When the Queen remarks in one episode that even the televisions are metaphors now, the show’s self-awareness risks pulling one out of the moment.

The theme of the past vs. the future plays out most dramatically between Charles and Elizabeth on multiple fronts, from him seeking a divorce from Diana to his increasingly aggressive push for the monarchy to modernize and better reflect the Britain of the 1990s. For her part, the Queen remains steadfast — indeed, immovable — in her lifelong duty to uphold the monarchy’s traditions and role in British society. Neither side seems willing to budge. Alas, events prove out of even Elizabeth’s control as she eventually approves Charles and Diana’s divorce, a begrudging move contrary to her beliefs as a wife, mother, monarch, and the head of the Church of England. She is in a world she no longer recognizes and feels increased pressure to change from politicians, the press, the public, and even, in the season’s most controversial creative choice , the Prince of Wales. As depicted here, Charles is undoubtedly ambitious but he’s also frustrated by the gilded purgatory his middle-aged life has become. He’s restless and wants to live a life with purpose and love and his mother is standing in the way of that.

Imelda Staunton and Dominic West both deliver nuanced and moving performances as Elizabeth and Charles. Viewers’ sympathy will undoubtedly be with Elizabeth as she’s now a sweet old granny and Charles is a frustrated and failed husband — but he is not a monster. Although West looks nothing like the real Charles, his performance and the writing make him flesh and blood and understandable. The Charles of Season 5 is at various times a lousy husband to his first wife, a devoted partner to his future second wife Camilla Parker-Bowles (Olivia Williams), and a genuinely passionate advocate for social issues. So if you’re worried that Season 5 is a hatchet job on now King Charles III, don’t be.

Nor does it smack of hagiography. Season 5’s Charles believes the monarchy must reflect what its modern subjects know, which is divorce and dysfunction. Likewise, Season 5 isn’t entirely in Princess Diana’s corner either as her own errors in judgment come into play — yet at all times she is a sympathetic and vulnerable figure who just desperately wants the love and companionship Charles was never going to provide since Camilla was always the woman he loved and wanted to marry. (Marrying for love rather than duty is a major throughline this season, from Charles to his sister Princess Anne to aunt Princess Margaret’s reunion with her once beloved Peter Townsend.)

Among such a formidable cast, the statuesque Elizabeth Debicki stands above the rest, her Diana looming literally and figuratively over the royal family she feels never respected her. Debicki nails Diana’s voice and facial expressions, bearing more of a resemblance to the real Princess of Wales than many other actors who have played her. Her Diana is, like West’s Charles, a complicated, flawed human capable of a range of reactions given the circumstances. She can be flirty and witty in order to break the ice or distraught and disdainful when wronged. She’s a devoted if oversharing mom and a public figure who shows true and deep compassion for the sick and the needy. Diana’s brief relationship with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan is depicted here, but Debicki and her scene partner Humayun Saeed don’t share much chemistry — and perhaps that’s intentional. Diana is so desperate for a loving partner that she overwhelms this accomplished but ordinary man, who is left wondering what he’s gotten himself into once Diana’s notorious BBC interview airs. (More on that in a bit.)

Netflix Spotlight: November 2022

Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) and his son Dodi (Khalid Abdalla) are introduced in Episode 3, titled “Mou Mou,” one of the strongest of this season’s 10 episodes. Mohamed’s rise to power and wealth is quickly established; this is a man who wants the world — specifically, the white British world of his native Egypt’s occupiers — to respect him. He will wheel and deal and spend whatever it takes to get a seat at the table (or, in this case, The Royal Windsor Horse Show). For his part, Dodi wants his father’s respect and to fulfill his own ambitions, which he briefly gains by producing the Best Picture-winning Chariots of Fire . While the tragic romance of Dodi and Diana must wait until Season 6, this fifth installment thoughtfully explores who the Al-Fayeds are, what they want, and how they came to be.

Colonialism, institutionalized racism, and classism are all evident in this third episode, but its highlight is the tender friendship between Mohamed and his valet Sydney Johnson (Jude Akuwudike), who had previously long served as the personal valet to Edward VIII after his abdication. Mohamed’s initial prejudice against Sydney, who is Black, subsides once he learns of his past job. With Sydney as his mentor and valet, Mohamed learns how to become “a British gentleman” in order to (as he hopes) gain access to and respect from the white establishment. The fascinating Sydney Johnson, who briefly appeared in Season 3 , finally gets his due here.

Other Season 5 standouts include Jonny Lee Miller’s understated UK Prime Minister John Major and Natascha McElhone as Prince Philip’s companion (and perhaps crush) Penny Knatchbull, both of whom quickly endear themselves with sympathetic turns as people drawn into the royal family’s most personal matters. Taking over the role of Princess Margaret, Lesley Manville makes an absolute meal of her boozy and decades-overdue confrontation with her sister Elizabeth over being denied marrying the love of her life, Peter Townsend (Timothy Dalton). The relationship between Margaret and Elizabeth is arguably the cornerstone of the whole series, one that allows us to often see both the Princess and the Queen at their most human and playful, especially here during their late night phone call to patch things up after Margaret’s outburst.

Which Is the Best Season of The Crown?

Jonathan Pryce imbues his elderly incarnation of Prince Philip with equal measures of crotchetiness and fierce curiosity. He’s made peace with his station and is utterly devoted to his wife and the monarchy — even if he now wants to romp around in carriage rides with his godson’s beautiful wife, Penny. One episode showcases his ties to Russia’s slain Romanov royal family and how Philip’s DNA brought closure to the decades-long mystery , a turn of events that resurfaces long-buried resentments he has toward his beloved wife. Each of the major characters this season get their own dedicated episode to shine and this one showed the Duke of Edinburgh’s complicated relationship with (what he labels to Diana as) The System.

The biggest historical bombshell covered in Season 5 is Diana’s infamous interview with the BBC’s Martin Bashir (Prasanna Puwanarajah) in which she not only confirmed Charles’ long affair with Camilla but also appeared to cast doubt on his ability to one day serve as king. In more recent years it’s been exposed just how devious Bashir and, by extension, the BBC were in deceiving Diana into doing the interview. Bashir forged documents and spun conspiracy theories, preying on Diana’s anxieties to score the interview of a lifetime. It’s not just the BBC who catch hell here; the British media in general is depicted as unfavorable and predatory throughout the season.

Set against a backdrop of transition and tension, romance and remorse, The Crown’s fifth season sympathetically explores broken hearts, duty versus desire, and the pursuit for love above all else with the introspection and elegance fans expect from showrunner Peter Morgan, even if the metaphors are laid on rather thick here. The series’ final permanent cast deliver the goods, with the big standouts being Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, and Jonny Lee Miller as John Major.

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‘The Crown' Season 5: Fact-Checking the Most Dramatic Moments

The fifth season of "the crown" managed to stir up drama before it even dropped on netflix. now that the highly-anticipated season is here, we did a deep dive to separate fact from fiction, by daniela trainor • published november 12, 2022 • updated on november 12, 2022 at 9:40 am.

" The Crown " knows all about controversy.

After all, the critically-acclaimed Netflix drama centered on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II   has   tackled plenty of salacious royal fodder throughout its first four seasons.

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From  Princess Anne 's relationship with Andrew Parker Bowles to  Princess Margaret 's overdose, from the reveal of the Queen and Princess Margaret's secret cousins to the monarchy's treatment of  Princess Diana , The Crown has certainly never steered away from scandal.

However, season five, which dropped Nov. 9 on Netflix, has managed to stir up more furor than any season that's come before.

On Oct. 16, former UK Prime Minister John Major, played by  Jonny Lee Miller  in season five, called the new episodes "damaging and malicious fiction" and a "barrel load of nonsense" in  an interview with The Mail on Sunday .

Major pointed to one scene in particular, in the season's first episode, in which then- Prince Charles  ( Dominic West ) attempts to convince former PM Major to persuade Queen Elizabeth II ( Imelda Staunton ) to abdicate the throne.

The former PM insisted no such conversation ever happened and the scene was written "for no other reason than to provide maximum—and entirely false—dramatic impact."

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Days later, on Oct. 19,  Oscar winner Dame Judi Dench , seemingly inspired by Major, voiced similar concerns about the validity of "The Crown" season five. 

"Given some of the wounding suggestions apparently contained in the new series—that King Charles plotted for his mother to abdicate, for example, or once suggested his mother's parenting was so deficient that she might have deserved a jail sentence,"  Dench wrote in a letter to U.K. publication The Times , "this is both cruelly unjust to the individuals and damaging to the institution they represent."

Dench also wrote that "The Crown" "seems willing to blur the lines between historical accuracy and crude sensationalism" and alleged the program promoted "an inaccurate and hurtful account of history."

As part of her criticism, Dench called for  a disclaimer to be added  to each episode "as a mark of respect to a sovereign who served her people so dutifully for 70 years, and to preserve their own reputation in the eyes of their British subscribers."

While  a disclaimer was added to the series' trailer on YouTube and Twitter , calling the show a "fictional dramatisation," no disclaimer was added to the episodes themselves.

With all of this knowledge, we did a deep dive into the most dramatic and outrageous moments from the fifth season of "The Crown," all with one question in mind: Wait, did that really happen?!

What's the deal with Prince Philip's obsession with carriage driving?

In the second episode of season five, the late  Prince Philip  is forced to give up his beloved polo for another horse-inspired hobby: carriage driving. As it turns out, the former Duke of Edinburgh stumbled upon the activity by happenstance.

"I was looking 'round to see what next, I didn't know what there was available,"  Philip told ITV in 2017 . "And I suddenly thought, 'Well, we've got horses and carriages so why don't I have a go?'"

Carriage riding became an activity that was eventually passed down by the generations. Philip's granddaughter, 18-year-old Lady Louise Windsor, is now an accomplished carriage driver and took sixth place in the junior novice division at the British Indoor Carriage Driving Championships in April.

Did Queen Elizabeth II really love the Britannia  that  much?

In short, yes. 

The fifth season of "The Crown"  opens with a cameo from Claire Foy , reprising her role as Queen Elizabeth II from seasons one and two of the series, in a flashback scene showing the official launch of Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, also known as the Royal Yacht Britannia, in April 1953.

Later in the episode, the Queen, played by Staunton, suggests to PM Major that the Britannia needs to undergo an expensive refurbishment. Major, who tells the Queen the work would cost the public millions, balks at the idea. The Queen, of course, struggles to understand his reluctance.

In 1997, after years of historic voyages involving many members of the royal family, the Britannia was retired. During the official decommissioning ceremony, the Queen was infamously seen wiping a tear from her eye. 

Was Princess Diana's phone really bugged?

In season five, Diana hears mysterious clicking noises on the opposite end of her phone calls, leading the late Princess to think her conversations are being spied on. While there's no evidence that her calls were actually being recorded, the scenes are based on very real fears Diana had throughout her life, even in the days before her death.

In 2007, Diana's  former private secretary Michael Gibbins told The Guardian  that Diana "clearly" thought she was being recorded. 

"Her actions were such, in terms of changing her telephone number," he said, "that it was clear that that was a concern to her, yes."

Did Mohamed Al-Fayed actually buy Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson's French estate?

The third episode of season five does an abrupt change and shifts the focus to Mohamed Al-Fayed, the father of the late  Dodi Fayed , who died in  the 1997 car crash that also took the life of Princess Diana .

In the episode, Al-Fayed buys the French home owned by  Edward VIII  and Wallis Simpson, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, after Wallis died in 1986.

Indeed, Al-Fayed did buy the home, located in Paris' Bois de Boulogne.  "It's like a mausoleum,"  he told People in 1990 . "It sometimes gives you the creeps—both of them having died here. But it's still a happy place, a great fantasy which I love to live in."

Al-Fayed, who is currently 93 years old, still owns the property.

How are the Windsors and the Romanovs actually connected?

The sixth episode of season five opens in World War I–era Britain, when King George V (Richard Dillane) receives a letter from the British prime minister suggesting that the government was willing to send a ship to Russia to save their Russian relatives, the Romanovs, who had recently been overthrown in the Russian Revolution.

Later, an imprisoned Tsar Nicholas II (a.k.a. Nikolai II Alexandrovich Romanov) is awoken by a soldier who informs him that he and his wife Tsarnia Alexandra (a.k.a. Alexandra Feodorovna) are being moved, causing Nicholas to exclaim, "It's cousin George!"

Their hopes were unfounded, however, as just minutes later, their entire family is murdered—thus revealing that the royal family refused to help.

The episode later finds Queen Elizabeth II preparing for a meeting with Boris Yeltsin, the president of the Russian Federation. It is revealed that Elizabeth and Prince Philip are  related to the Romanovs , which motivates Philip to do some digging.

So, how are the families intertwined?

Maria Feodorovna, the sister of Queen Elizabeth's great-grandmother Queen Alexandra, married Czar Alexander of Russia. Maria's eldest son, the aforementioned Nicholas, was the last ruler of Russia—and also the first cousin of King George V, Elizabeth's grandfather.

As "The Crown" depicts, George did in fact refuse to help save Nicholas, despite the two sharing a strong relationship.

Did Diana give Queen Elizabeth's notice after her explosive Panorama interview?

Not exactly.

Season five shines light on Diana's infamous 1995 interview with  Martin Bashir  (Prasanna Puwanarajah) on the BBC documentary series Panorama, in which she discussed the dissolution of her marriage with then-Prince Charles. 

The series shows Diana herself giving Queen Elizabeth a heads-up about the explosive interview, but that's not what happened at all.

"It's hard to beat the scenes depicting Diana allegedly summoning up her courage and dropping on the Queen the bombshell news that she had secretly recorded an interview with Martin Bashir for  Panorama ," Diana's former private secretary Patrick Jephson  told The Telegraph Nov. 8 .  " This part of the story was made up, and therefore might reasonably earn the ire of "The Crown's" scholarly-exact detractors."

How can he be so sure?

"I know it was made up because I was there," he said, "and I can tell you that the Princess absolutely failed to summon up the necessary courage and delegated the job to me."

Did Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles really get embroiled in Tampongate?

They sure did.

In 1993, the transcript of a private phone call between then-Prince Charles and his then-mistress Camilla Parker Bowles was released by members of the British press. On the call, which was recorded in 1989, Charles joked that he'd like to be reincarnated as a tampon so he could "live inside" Camilla's trousers. Thus, the scandal was dubbed "Tampongate."

In an exclusive conversation with E! News,  Dominic West , who plays Charles, explained why "The Crown" creator Peter Morgan insisted the scene be included.

"Peter explained how on a lot of 'The Crown,' he gets to choose what he wants to put in," Dominic said, "but there are certain things that if he doesn't put in, it's a half-baked job. I think that is one scene that he was obliged to tackle."

Dominic further revealed that playing Charles and learning more about the details of the scandal impacted the way he viewed the entire ordeal.

"What was surprising was, seeing after 20 years hindsight and actually playing these characters, what we found is how the papers had initially perceived it as something dirty and in some way unsavory was actually something rather intimate and tender and sweet," Dominic said. "What was dirty and unsavory was the press treatment of it."

Olivia Williams, who plays Camilla, exclusively told E! News why she thinks the scene was so integral.

"I think what's so clever about what Peter Morgan does with this is that he shows the effect the stealing of that conversation had on the crown," she said. "That is the point of including it in the series. Everything that is shown in "The Crown" had an impact on the crown, the monarchy, in history."

The fifth season of "The Crown" is available to stream now on Netflix.

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‘The Crown’ Season 5 Recap: What to Remember Before the Final Season

While 'The Crown' doesn’t always cast the royal family in a positive light, it does seek to understand what motivated them.

The Big Picture

• The fifth season of The Crown delves into the deteriorating marriage between Charles and Diana, highlighting their unhappiness and the strict policies that prevent them from legally separating.
• The press plays a major role in escalating the tensions within Charles and Diana's marriage, with intimate phone calls and Diana's controversial interview causing public humiliation and drawing more sympathy towards Diana.
• The fifth season also explores Charles' growing discontent with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his belief that she may no longer be fit to lead the country, leading him to conspire with the new Prime Minister to sow the seeds for her abdication.

While Netflix has rarely allowed its drama shows to reach their natural conclusion without a premature ending, the historical drama series The Crown has been given the time to achieve a fitting ending. The ambitious biographical show has chronicled the trials and tribulations of the British royal family throughout the majority of the 20th century; ironically, the Royal Family’s current activities have proven to be just as fascinating as the events that The Crown has been covering.

The Crown ’s sixth and final season certainly has a lot of juicy material to work with, as the show’s fifth series brought the royal family into events that some viewers may have remembered from their own lifetime. Season 5 of The Crown forced the family to answer a question that they had never been faced with before; in a world that seems to keep setting tradition aside, are they even relevant anymore?

Follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.

A Divorce Rocks the Royal Family in 'The Crown' Season 5

While there have been films, shows, and documentaries about the royal family in the past, The Crown was able to encapsulate a more well-rounded (and much longer) history of their reign due to its ambitious story structure. The show’s first two seasons were set between 1947 and 1964, with Claire Foy and Matt Smith in the roles of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, respectively; the central pair was recast with Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies for the third and fourth seasons , which covered events from 1964 to 1990. These seasons introduced a young Prince Charles ( Josh O’Connor ), who set aside his proposed marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles ( Emerald Fennell ) in order to marry the much younger Princess Diana ( Emma Corrin ).

The fifth season picks up with an older Charles (Dominic West), whose marriage to Diana ( Elizabeth Debicki ) has completely deteriorated. The couple is at odds with each other constantly, as they both feel unfulfilled by the nature of their service. Diana feels that life under the spotlight of the media gives her no proper way to raise her children, and does not feel like she fits in with the traditions laid out by Queen Elizabeth II ( Imelda Staunton ) and Prince Philip ( Jonathan Pryce ). Charles feels that he should be helping to shape the country as a modern nation so that he can succeed as King; he’s also still madly in love with Camilla ( Olivia Williams ), and feels that he is being denied the happy marriage that he truly desires. Both Charles and Diana are unhappy, but the royal family’s strict policies on marriage have prevented them from being legally separated.

Charles and Diana’s marriage frequently becomes targeted by the press, who exaggerate every detail of their relationship, making it even more difficult for the couple to reason with each other. Things escalate in 1993 when the press uncovers an embarrassing series of intimate phone calls that reveal details about Charles and Camilla’s relationship; Charles is publicly humiliated, and the public is drawn even further to Diana’s side. Diana also gives a very controversial live, televised interview to the journalist Martin Bashir ( Prasanna Puwanarajah ) in 1995. Diana discusses her grievances with the royal family, which inspires Charles to finally push for an official divorce the following year.

There’s also a new potential love in Diana’s life, Season 5 chronicles how Mohamed al-Fayed ( Salim Dau ) and his son, Dodi ( Khalid Abdalla ) came from poverty in Egypt to become powerful businessmen in England. Diana is first introduced to Mohammed at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and begins to strike up a friendship with Dodi. The season ends with Mohammed inviting Diana to spend a summer vacation with them in Saint-Tropez. This foreshadows the romantic relationship that Diana will develop with Dodi, whom she was dating at the time of her death in 1997.

'The Crown' Season 5 Questions Whether the Royal Family Is Relevant Anymore

While the faults in his marriage are Charles’ primary reason for arguing with his mother, he begins to believe that she may no longer be fit to lead the country. Queen Elizabeth II’s affinity for tradition has fallen out of favor with the public; it doesn’t seem like average civilians find the same value in the crown itself anymore. Charles begins conspiring with the new Prime Minister, John Major ( Jonny Lee Miller ) to sow the seeds for the Queen’s abdication. Although Majors loses the 1997 election to Tony Blair ( Bertie Carvel ), Charles visits the nation’s new leader in China to give a speech regarding the handover of Hong Kong. Among the major events in his meeting is the official decommissioning of the family’s private yacht, Britannia .

Decommissioning the Britannia is yet another sign to the Queen that she is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Earlier in the season, a fire in Windsor Castle destroyed 115 rooms and burned countless priceless artifacts and works of art that had been in the family for generations. Elizabeth notes that she feels like she herself is being decommissioned as she spends a final moment alone on the yacht. However, the Queen is not willing to give up entirely, especially as Charles begins to conspire against her. Elizabeth is enraged that Charles met with Blair before she did, and reminds him that he has not yet succeeded her. They continue to bicker about Charles’ relationship with Camilla, who he plans to wed. While the Prime Minister and the British public appear to support Charles’ happiness, the Queen refuses to give her consent.

The sixth season of The Crown will pick up after Charles’ meeting with Blair in 1997 and continue up until 2005 (when Charles and Camilla were officially married). Although the real-life passing of Queen Elizabeth II certainly casts a shadow over the events of the upcoming season, it doesn’t appear that The Crown will cover any of the royal family’s activities within the last few years. The Crown is a unique series that has done a great job of humanizing historical figures who often feel impersonal. While The Crown doesn’t always cast the royal family in a positive light, it does seek to understand what motivated them.

All seasons of The Crown are available to stream on Netflix in the U.S. Part 1 of the sixth and final season is set to premiere on November 16, with Part 2 premiering on December 14.

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Season 5 – The Crown

Where to watch, the crown — season 5.

Watch The Crown — Season 5 with a subscription on Netflix.

What to Know

In its fifth season, it's hard to shake the feeling that this series has lost some of its luster -- but addictive drama and a sterling cast remain The Crown 's jewels.

Cast & Crew

Peter Morgan

Imelda Staunton

Queen Elizabeth II

Jonathan Pryce

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Lesley Manville

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon

Dominic West

Prince Charles

Elizabeth Debicki

Diana, Princess of Wales

Popular TV on Streaming

Tv news & guides, this show is featured in the following articles., critics reviews, audience reviews, season info.

Small Details You Missed In The Crown Season 5

November 9, 2022 saw the long-awaited return of Peter Morgan's opulent dramatization of Queen Elizabeth II's life and reign, "The Crown," documenting events starting prior to her coronation all the way up to the last day for the late Princess Diana. In Season 4, we left off with a very restless Diana (Emma Corrin) spending Christmas with the Royals at Balmoral, with both her and Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) set on finally separating. In Season 5, we pick up with a brand new cast as the baton is passed  once again.  Imelda Staunton  replaces Olivia Colman as the Queen, alongside Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip. Elizabeth Debicki  portrays a grown-up Princess Diana, with Dominic West  as Charles. Lesley Manville  steps in as lovable Princess Margaret.

After a pause in production ( via Deadline ) following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II , we rejoin the royals amidst a high-profile divorce, and what The Queen called ( via Cosmopolitan ) an "annus horribilis," meaning a horrible year. Intriguing indeed. As viewers of " The Crown ," we know Peter Morgan can't cram everything into 10 episodes. But with each episode landing around the 40-minute mark, there is a lot of ground covered; and you might miss some stuff if you check your phone or make a quick cup of coffee. We're going to dive into some small details you might have missed, from accurate real-life royal easter eggs to eerie foreshadowing. 

Spoilers ahead for anyone yet to finish season 4 or 5, now streaming on Netflix.

Symbolism of the Queen and the royal yacht

"The Crown" loves to play with metaphors and symbolism, and Season 5 is no exception. The most effective ones come in the form of the royal yacht Britannia in relation to Queen Elizabeth. Let's break down what viewers might have not spotted. Episode 1 opens with a black and white flashback of the Queen, with Claire Foy reprising her role. She gives a speech to the nation about her brand new royal yacht, the Britannia, which would become wildly important not only to her, but to all the royals. When we get to the present day, with our first glimpse of Imelda Staunton as the Queen, she is concerned about getting repairs for the yacht. She compares the boat to another palace, although she claims to have a stronger connection to Britannia because she commissioned it.

At the same time, a poll hits British newspapers with a staggering opinion that Queen Elizabeth has outstayed her welcome as sovereign. Words like "old" and "stuffy" are thrown around and the general consensus is that Charles should take over. The Queen then has to barter for funds to repair Britannia and keep the yacht in use. Writer Peter Morgan does an excellent job at mirroring this. At this point, the monarchy is being viewed as outdated (via  Vanity Fair),  with the British public rallying for the Queen's figurative decommission, even as the Britannia slips through her fingers. In the final episode of the season, Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair offers a solution that involves the Britannia being decommissioned. It is indicative of a more forward-thinking Britain, less focused on the spectacle of the monarchy.

Parallels between Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth

In addition to the Elizabeth-Britannia metaphor is the royal yacht's link to Princess Diana, who is on the road to tragedy in Season 5. Arguably, the overarching sense of doom surrounding Britannia can be applied to Diana too. She herself has been sailing along for some time, until she decides that enough was enough. Season 5 shows us the famed BBC interview , featuring highlights such as Diana saying, "There were three of us in this marriage." She slams back at the system that has treated her unfairly, and as a result, the Queen finally grants a divorce for Charles and Diana. The divorce settlements mirror the back and forth conversations regarding Britannia's repair, all while the marriage, which is beyond fixing, sinks.

This point hit the hardest in the Season 5 finale, titled "Decommissioned." In an emotional performance from Imelda Staunton, the Queen walks around Britannia and says her final farewells. This is cleverly intertwined with scenes of Princess Diana, getting ready for a holiday with her sons and the Fayeds. She herself is saying goodbye, to a life she wishes to leave behind. Diana looks at her reflection in the mirror and smiles a farewell smile. Her time as a royal is behind her. The scene then immediately cuts to Queen Elizabeth, her face half-showing in a mirror. Diana and Elizabeth are mirrors of each other: the Queen, and one that was meant to become Queen.

Princess Anne's career

This season of "The Crown" finds itself disrupted by Charles and Diana, justifiably so. However, some characters end up getting less screen time. This includes beloved and honest Princess Anne, now older and somehow even wiser following her separation. A small detail that might have slipped past viewers is the mention of one of her books. Early in Season 5, she brings it to the Queen for her to read. It gives viewers a tease of what else Princess Anne has been getting up to, as someone with quite an interesting life indeed. Anne is credited with three books, ranging from a lecture-turned-book regarding the punishment of communities to an exploration of her love for horses and her time in the Olympics.

It is always intriguing to gain some insight on other members of the royal family that are not at the forefront of the show. Princess Anne, particularly, could have a whole episode about her if the producers desired. New Princess Anne actress Claudia Harrison, when asked whether she likes the Princess, told the Radio Times : "I think I'm playing the best royal! She's a proper feminist. She doesn't put a foot wrong and she leads by example." We can probably all agree that we would like a bit more Anne.

Princess Margaret, Diana and Desert Island Discs

Another subplot is a revisit to Princess Margaret, much of the focus in the first two seasons of the show. Early fans of the show have come to miss the wild Princess. Her episode in Season 5 is beautiful, highlighting lost love and what could have been. Margaret appears on the radio show "Desert Island Discs," although the real segment, which premiered in 1981, can be listened to here . Now obviously, this season of "The Crown" is set in the 1990s, but writer Peter Morgan pulls this radio appearance forward into that decade for the purpose of bringing Margaret back in contact with her first love, Peter Townsend. It serves as a reminder to Townsend, when he hears Margaret on the radio, picking a song they held dear to them during their time as a couple. 

Only people with an extended knowledge of the Princess would spot the inaccuracies, in terms of the time it took place and the song choices — she also apparently included a passage from "Swan Lake."

Peter Morgan may be nodding to this when, later in the season, Princess Diana watches a ballet production of "Swan Lake." The music dominates the scene, continuing as the Princess leaves and talks with Mohammed Al-Fayed, the father of her future lover Dodi (portrayed by Khalid Abdalla). Depending on how much you would like to dig into it, this might be a rather poetic connection between Margaret and Diana. Margaret, as someone else with a big personality and flair, also has her spark diminished by the royal system. Both women suffer with mental health issues, and end up in marriages that break them down, ultimately without finding true love.

Princess Diana's iconic fashion

Delving into more of Diana, Season 5 displays a few outfits that viewers might recognize, with Diana's fashion being highly regarded and extensively covered in the '90s. Post-separation and divorce, she is able to dress however she wants and these outfits can be spotted in the new season, including the sweatshirt and biker shorts combination, and the infamous revenge dress. Her legacy in the fashion world was explored in a recent article in People magazine , which wrote, "Some of her most casual moments have sparked massive trends, such as the recent resurgence in athleisure." The article names her style as one of "timeless elegance."

The new season captures her style perfectly. An article about the costumes for Netflix, regarding the Harvard sweatshirt that Diana wore in real life, states, "Harvard made the original '90s [sweatshirt] for us," which shows just how important these details were. Sidione Roberts from "The Crown" costume department explained how Diana had to rediscover herself post-separation: "I think there was a real (feeling of), 'Okay, who am I outside of this?'" Roberts said. "There's a real strength to how she decides to dress." The more you watch Season 5, the more details you will notice, with the costume department getting Princess Diana 100% right. Her clothes are a symbol of who she is becoming outside of the royal family, although of course this new path in her life is tragically cut short.

Martin Bashir and the BBC Interview

Another important plot point to dissect is the infamous BBC "Panorama" interview with Princess Diana, spearheaded by journalist Martin Bashir. It acted as a catalyst for the eventual divorce between Diana and Charles, and was an important moment for Princess Diana to finally speak her truth about the way she has been treated; unfortunately, the logistics surrounding this interview were rooted in deceit. "The Crown" shows Bashir forging payment documents that serve as "proof" that people close to Diana are being paid to spy on her, such as her private secretary. Bashir shows these to Lord Spencer, Diana's brother, who trusts Bashir's word initially.

Feeding into Diana's paranoia, Bashir meets with the Princess and offers her the opportunity to have her say in a tell-all interview. Driven by anxiety and fear, Diana agrees and goes ahead with it. What viewers may not know, however, is the truth behind Bashir's manipulation was not revealed until 2021. According to Vanity Fair , Lord John Dyson dropped the bombshell in a report on the reality of Bashir's deceit. It's an unfair sequence of events, especially for the Princess, who's already struggled through the previous decade with mental health issues. It makes for some excellent television, despite how infuriating it is. The secretive nature of the interview, Bashir's unethical means of securing it, and even the way in which the TV crew has to sneak into Kensington Palace disguised as audio equipment installers, gives the entire event what a  Vogue article described as "all the nail-biting tension of a heist movie."

King George V and his parrot

Season 5, Episode 6 brings us a flashback episode that deals with the royal family's involvement with the Romanov family and the events that lead to the deaths of some of the latter clan's members. It gives viewers a peek into the life of then King George V, grandson of Queen Victoria and grandfather of Queen Elizabeth. An intriguing detail about the former monarch is the large parrot on his shoulder. It seems like something made up, and more likely to appear in the royal circles of "Game of Thrones" rather than "The Crown." While it is not uncommon for royals to keep pets — we are already used to the Queen and her band of corgis, and even her love for horses — the parrot is an interesting choice.

In an episode about loneliness on Elizabeth's part, it's a nice sentiment that King George was never quite alone, since he did indeed have a parrot named Charlotte. According to Wonders and Marvels , George acquired Charlotte in his youth and the bird would perch on his Majesty's shoulder, acting as "a critical eye over state papers and confidential documents, shouting 'What about it?' in a stentorious voice." Apparently, when George fell ill, Charlotte was the first visitor that he requested. This is totally bizarre but strangely wholesome.

Prince Charles in waiting

This whole season of "The Crown" is setting up Charles to take over for his mother, though we know it will not be happening for a while yet. Charles, amidst his separation from Diana, is shown getting restless. The secret conversation that Charles has with Prime Minister John Major shows him expressing his desire to become king before he gets too old, much like Queen Victoria's eldest son. But in real life, Sir John Major called this conversation a "barrel load of malicious nonsense" ( via the Daily Mail ). The exploration of Queen Victoria and her son mirrors and foreshadows Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles. Minor details like him being described as "empathetic" and "impressive" get viewers ready for him as king.

While preparing viewers for King Charles, Peter Morgan does not shy away from digging up some of his worst scandals, including a phone call between him and Camilla that was sold to the tabloids. It is difficult to watch and completely cringeworthy, but a necessary part of the 1990s storyline. Peter Morgan finishes the episode with Charles' charity work for The Prince's Fund. In an Esquire review of the season, Rachel Dodes sums this choice up perfectly: "It feels almost as though Morgan is trying to apologize to Charles for dredging up the mortifying scandal." It's a brave decision indeed, especially given the current real-life situation with King Charles finally being on the throne.

Tragic foreshadowing

While Season 5 does revolve heavily around Charles, the real focal point of the season is Princess Diana. It is a precursor to her untimely death, building up a sense of dread throughout. Writer Peter Morgan is not subtle about this. An obvious scene of foreshadowing comes in the second half of the season, when Diana is shown driving her car on the way to visit her brother. While at a traffic light, some men in the car next to her recognize her and shout her name, taking pictures. Once the light changes to green, she drives off quickly. But then her brakes fail, and she swerves across the road.

It is hinted at once again in the season finale. An impressive shot of Diana is shown after she has watched "Swan Lake," looking out the back of her car as paparazzi follow her and cameras flash. It is a hold-your-breath moment, designed to create suspense. It is not bad storytelling, but it may be considered superfluous. In an article from Digital Spy , Laura Jane Turner argues, "It feels as though the writers are drawing from sensationalised tabloid headlines rather than handling the nuances of her health and situation with care." We have to hope that Season 6 will deal with the Princess' death with respect, especially given that this is still relatively recent history.

Season 5 of "The Crown" deals with its topics in a superficial way, with perhaps less complexity below the surface than before. However, there is a good amount we can still dig into and analyze. It might need a second or third watch, but it is still an impressive and cinematic fictional retelling of one of the worst periods for the royal family.

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The Crown Season-Finale Recap: Full Circle

Another poll. Another boat trip. Another clandestine meeting between Charles and a prime minister. Haven’t we been here before? I’m getting serious déjà vu.

There are some differences this time around. After a splashy televised debate — and despite Diana’s gleeful opposing votes — polls find the majority’s still pro-monarchy but no longer keen on Charles being in charge. (The real poll named Richard Branson as a preferable option .)

The boat’s passengers have changed, too. Charles travels back from the Hong Kong handover ceremony — an event that marked the end of the British Empire — via the Britannia . It’s her final voyage. Elizabeth has decided to decommission the yacht (an event that would lead her to publicly shed a tear ) upon hearing newly elected PM Tony Blair’s suggestions for financing and branding. The news comes as a surprise, particularly to Charles, who somehow only now realizes why the queen was holding on so tight: “Her distress or her grief, it was not for the royal yacht, nor her precious memories. It was for herself and the institution she represents.” Wait for it … Wait for it … “Like she felt she was being decommissioned.” Glad you caught up, Charles. We’ve been here for TEN EPISODES.

Having the season’s overarching theme tied so tightly to Britannia feels like a bit of a misstep; sure, it’s a straightforward metaphor about obsolescence, but I don’t think the yacht has the emotional resonance Peter Morgan intends, especially when the queen keeps insisting other people pay for its upkeep. And while her decision came from a noble desire to preserve Britannia ’s honor — and seeing her teary-eyed at the episode’s end is certainly a moment — it’s hard to feel that bad for a queen who refuses to lease a luxury yacht out of pride. (A global housing crisis is looming — read the room!) The Crown is most engaging when it highlights the royals’ humanity and relatability. Owning a private, five-story-tall yacht? Not so relatable.

Charles arranges to secretly chat with Blair aboard Britannia , and he’s eager to meet the new PM, considering their similarities in age and shared passion for change. The main difference? While Blair has the freedom to self-actualize, Charles must wait in the wings. Still, the prince is hopeful to find an ally in Blair, who’s likable enough but seems a touch smarmier in The Crown than how Peter Morgan wrote him in 2006’s The Queen . (Could this be due to a low-key plagiarism accusation ?)

Compared to his season-opener meeting with Major, Charles feels less shady and more humbled with Blair (which makes sense — he’s no longer coasting off of positive poll results). And while he talks about the need for the monarchy to modernize, it comes across more as a plea for him to be able to remarry rather than to assume power. But when the queen confronts her son about his undisclosed tête-à-tête, she lets him know where she stands on the issue of his remarrying: It ain’t happening. (This episode sees both Dodi and Charles wanting parental approval to wed their partners, but neither gets it.) When Charles says that they must let go of their antiquated Victorian values or else the world might leave them in the dust, his mother says nothing. The woman’s willing to go down with the ship.

Is it just me, or has this season been pretty light on the queen, especially for a series meant to center her? It almost feels like the show has also decided she’s losing relevance (a meta-metaphor!). Imelda Staunton’s done what she can with what she’s given — her scenes involving William were standouts for me — but I do hope she gets more to work with next season.

Speaking of being sidelined, this episode finds Diana alone in a box at the Royal Albert Hall, watching a performance of Swan Lake . (This event marked her last official public appearance, occurring just three months before her death.) It’s a simple scene that stayed with me for a few reasons. (1) Diana dreamed of pursuing ballet as a young girl. While Charles watches Blair enviously, imagining what he himself might have become in another life, I wondered if perhaps here so too does Diana. (2) The visual composition is striking, with Diana in the dark, engulfed by the hall’s red-and-crimson interiors and sandwiched between two vases of roses; it’s a rare image of the Glamazonian princess looking physically small, and her loneliness amid all that beauty is palpable. And (3) while rooted in fact , it’s incredibly fitting to have Swan Lake as the featured ballet: a story about a prince who was told he couldn’t marry for love; a tragedy about a prince who failed to keep his vow of love; and a tale about the loss of a crown that protected a young woman from harm. Now these are parallels I can get behind! No more boats, please.

I spoke too soon: While Charles chirped at her desire to go shopping in Italy at the top of the season, Mohamed readily offers Diana some retail therapy, security, and sunshine if she joins him in Saint-Tropez on his big, new yacht. The final time we see Diana this season, she’s packing her and her sons’ clothes for the trip, a smile playing on her lips as she looks into the mirror. It’d be a sweet, tentative moment of hope and happiness for the audience to enjoy if we didn’t know the domino effect this vacation will have. In two months, Diana will be dead.

That these particular Diana scenes are the highlights speaks, in a way, to the episode’s weakness. “Decommissioned” feels less like a finale and more like the official prologue for The Crown ’s final season. In fact, most of the fifth season has felt like it’s been building up to something we won’t experience for another year or so. This isn’t entirely surprising; in January 2020, Peter Morgan announced the series would be ending in its fifth season, but then later backtracked, saying six seasons will be necessary “to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story.”

Keeping this in mind, it starts to make sense why certain choices were made this season. It’s why Dodi — someone Diana dated for less than two months — gets far more emphasis than Hasnat, whom Diana dated for two years (and reportedly wanted to marry). It’s why Charles keeps harping on the need to modernize the monarchy without getting anywhere. I suspect it’s the reason why Diana’s paranoia and isolation was such a fixture this season, with little attention paid to her humanitarian work . (By this time in her life, she had famously walked through a live minefield in Angola — something that appears to be pushed into next season .) It’s also likely why we see Charles pressing for the ability to marry Camilla and hiring a spin doctor without seeing any fruits of that labor; we know his efforts will pay off in time.

The issue with this approach is the season feels incomplete on its own — the Britannia -based bookends can’t save it. There are ways to remain episodically compelling while setting up a later, larger story (this season’s “Mou Mou” was a wonderful example), but “Decommissioned” falters on this front. And so, even though The Crown has always been a staid, slow-moving show, we’re left with a finale that feels particularly anticlimactic, despite being cloaked in a general sense of unease.

It’s hard to speculate where exactly the series will conclude in the royal timeline. Obviously, Diana’s death will be covered, but how will the show approach such a delicate subject? (The scenes in this episode with Diana in Mohamed’s car, speeding away from paparazzi, were chilling enough.) And will Morgan divert from the narrative he established in The Queen ? We do know that Kate Middleton has been cast, as well as two versions of William , suggesting we’ll venture as far as his college years. It also sounds like Charles and Camilla’s 2005 wedding will be featured , which makes the death of Princess Margaret in 2002 another obvious event to cover.

Morgan has confirmed that, despite his decision to extend the series for a sixth and final chapter, the show’s mysterious end point remains the same: “To be clear, season six will not bring us any closer to present day.” These last ten episodes were so much about setting the stage for a final act, but there’s a difference between leaving an audience wanting more (good!) versus expecting more (not so good). And so, while I enjoyed this season, I’m not sure where The Crown lands in that respect — or maybe it did both! Whatever Morgan’s plan is moving forward, fingers crossed the final season delivers.

Royal Diary

• It’s nice that Edward finds time to pop up every so often, but it always takes me a second to place him. (Sorry to this man, etc.)

• On that note, where the hell did Penny go?

• I thought Camilla’s wink at Bolland when discussing the first-class fiasco was cute and well-placed, while also establishing how a business-class seat is not the end of the world. She’s good at defusing an unwanted situation, which Charles constantly seems to find himself in.

• As icky as it is to acknowledge, The Crown sure does benefit visually from the wide-spanning nature of colonialism, especially in terms of providing picturesque backdrops for the show. The shots of Hong Kong, especially that spectacular skyline at night, were gorgeous and offered a nice change of environment and tone (even if they might have been technically captured elsewhere). At the same time, season five had so little to do with politics that the transfer of Hong Kong’s sovereignty doesn’t have the narrative impact it deserved.

• It’s a bit sad to know that Dodi will be ditching Kelly soon, despite his proposal to her. Farewell to our future Blue Kentucky Girl.

• The Crown always gets me crushing on the most unexpected of characters, and this season it was … John Major?! I know Diana gave Andrew Morton the nickname of Clark Kent, but it’s way more fitting of Major here. Thank you for your service, Jonny Lee Miller.

• While it was indeed a treasured gift of the queen’s, the Big Mouth Billy Bass came out in 2000 , a few years after this episode takes place. But the show gets accuracy points for highlighting that Charles is an avid watercolorist .

• When it comes to awards-season predictions, I see Elizabeth Debicki and the woefully underused Lesley Manville especially strong contenders.

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These Moments in ‘The Crown’ Season 5 Seem Beyond Belief — but Are They?

Mark peikert.

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“ The Crown ” is back — and so is the Netflix series’ accompanying drama about what is and is not factually accurate. This season feels particularly explosive, as the first batch of episodes to take place in the oh-so-well-documented 1990s. Among the many topics tackled are the dissolution of marriages (Charles and Diana, Andrew and Fergie, Anne and her husband, whoever he was), the discovery of the remains of the Tsar of Russia and his family, the election of Tony Blair — and Prince Philip’s obsession with carriage driving.

In order to sift through what is historically accurate and what is merely conjecture (if not outright dramatic fiction), we turn to the Internet’s favorite arbiter of fact versus fantasy: Jonathan Frakes, the host of late ’90s meme-fave “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction.” Are these “um, what?!?” moments true? Or is Peter Morgan just pulling the crown over our eyes?

Did Prince Charles really cut short his second honeymoon with Diana and their children?

Although press reports of the couple’s trip to Italy with family and friends referred to it as a second honeymoon, there is no evidence that Charles (Dominic West) or Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) considered it to be one. Likewise, there’s no record of Charles leaving early — and certainly not, according to then-Prime Minister John Major, to make a case to the P.M. for his mother stepping down so he could become king.

Did Mohammed Al Fayed really buy the Windsors’ house and belongings to curry favor?

The third episode of Season 5 of “The Crown” takes audiences into the life of Mohammed Al Fayed (Salim Daw), father of Diana’s future boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed (Khalid Abdalla). We see how fascinated by the royal family Al Fayed is, down to hiring the Duke of Windsor’s former valet, Sydney Johnson. (Fact!) And we see Fayed attempting to break into the inner ranks of British society by, among other things, buying Harrods and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s home in Bois du Boulogne — complete with furnishings.

In real life, some of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s personal possessions had already been whisked away to eventually be auctioned off before Fayed took possession. (The Duchess of Windsor’s attorney, Suzanne Blum, sniffed to People magazine that “haggling isn’t the word for it” regarding the offer Fayed made for the Duchess’ jewels, which eventually sold for $50.3 million.) Among the belongings that remained in what Fayed intended to be a museum were the desk on which the Duke wrote his letter of abdication and his polo trophies. But no, Fayed did not watch the Queen’s emissaries remove the most valuable items — though he did accuse the executors of stealing the couple’s love letters.

As for the house? Fayed chartered a jet and flew 120 people — including Diana’s father — for an opening party after the restoration. His 50-year lease is still in effect, though the villa remains closed to the public 20 years later.

Did Gorbachev shit-talk the palace during a photo op?

Who knows! But probably not. From press accounts, their meeting was warm and friendly , though it took place in 1989 and Margaret Thatcher was at their luncheon (they ate cornets of smoked salmon stuffed with crab, fillets of beef, duck, and artichoke baked in pastry if you’re curious). Though the Queen accepted Gorbachev’s invitation to visit Moscow, she did not make the trip until 1994, when Boris Yeltsin was in power.

Did Diana’s brakes suddenly stop working while driving?

This may be the most ludicrous aspect of Diana’s story as told in “The Crown” — but apparently, Diana really did tell confidantes that she thought someone tampered with her brakes in 1995. And allegedly, when told of the Paris car crash, the Queen’s initial response was, “ Someone must have greased her brakes .”

Wait — was Diana’s infamous 1995 interview with Martin Bashir (Prasanna Puwanarajah) really that pointedly scheduled?

“Even the televisions are metaphors,” Queen Elizabeth tells William in the eighth episode. What unfolds would seem like the usual elbow-to-the-ribs from “The Crown,” with the interview scheduled to be conducted on Guy Fawkes Day, its announcement set for Prince Charles’ birthday, and the broadcast airing on Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 48th wedding anniversary. All true! (And yes, Bashir forged documents to convince Diana to do the interview.)

Did surgeon Hasnat Khan (Humayun Saeed) really ghost Diana after the interview?

No. They were together off and on until shortly before her death in 1997, despite intense press scrutiny. Diana and Khan ended things not long after she met Dodi Al Fayed aboard his father’s yacht.

Was Charles ever really as hot as Dominic West?

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Olivia colman reflects on her beloved career: ‘i have been very lucky’.

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Olivia Colman attends the European Premiere of "Wicked Little Letters" at the Odeon Luxe Leicester ... [+] Square on February 13, 2024 in London, England.

In recent years, Olivia Colman has become one of the most captivating actors to grace both the big and small screen, with transcending performances that make us truly feel her characters’ emotions and ultimately pushes us to reflect upon our own humanity.

Since winning the Oscar for Best Actress in 2019 for playing Queen Anne in The Favourite , Colman, 50, has continued to select roles that embody a sense of confidence, vulnerability and compassion all at once - from her two seasons as the late Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, a woman coming to terms with her painful past in The Lost Daughter , the supportive mother of a bisexual son in Heartstopper, and most recently, as Timothée Chalamet’s ruthless adversary in Wonk a.

Oscar winner Olivia Colman with the Best Actress award for the film "The Favourite" poses in the ... [+] press room during the 91st Academy Awards on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.

However, let’s be clear - before Colman made it big in Hollywood, she had already spent years building an acting career for herself within her home country of England, with notable projects like Hot Fuzz , Broadchurch and Fleabag - just to name a few. So, how might Colman say that she has noticed her interests in roles and stories evolving as time goes on?

“I love it that you think that I think about anything very deeply,” Colman said with a laugh. “I think I have been very lucky that people have sent me good scripts, but it’s always sort of a gut feeling. Sometimes, it’s whether it will fit in with something that’s already been booked. It might mean they have to go in a certain period and I can’t do it, so I can’t do that job and that’s a shame, and I watch it and go, ‘Oh bums, I wish I could’ve done it.’ Sometimes, it’s ‘When are they doing it? Ooh, great! Oh no, I would love to play that part, so I’m really pleased.’ Sometimes, it’s a quite small time commitment and I do need the money because I’ve done a project for love for the last six months, so there’s no plan, but you never know what’s coming.”

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In her latest role, Colman plays Edith Swan in the sharp-tongued comedy Wicked Little Letters from Sony Pictures Classics, which premieres in select New York & Los Angeles theaters on March 29, followed by a nationwide rollout on April 5.

Based on true events of an English scandal in the early twentieth century, the story revolves around upstanding, religion-guided Swan, who accuses her unconventional, foul-mouthed neighbor Rose Gooding (played by Jessie Buckley) of sending her malicious letters.

So, what intrigued Colman to take on this project next, not only as a leading actor but also as one of the film’s producer? She said, “I think the fact that it was true and then the comedy. I read it in one sitting, which is always a good sign, and I did giggle out loud. Also, Jonny Sweet’s lovely script - I could really picture the characters.”

Even though this true crime took place around 1920, a century later in 2024, our society can undoubtedly relate to the idea of people attacking one another behind the veil of anonymity, these days by way of social media. So, does Colman see the comparison?

(Left to right) Jessie Buckley, Olivia Colman and Gemma Jones in "Wicked Little Letters"

“I can’t say that I made the connection when I first read it, but when saw it and now doing press, it is the obvious comparison to draw that a hundred years ago, this anonymous cruelty - and we call in the UK ‘the poison pen letters.’ You’d think you had learned from that and it wouldn’t be something that we do anymore, but of course, humans never learn. So, if anything, we’ve made it much worse by being able to send something awful and anonymously to hurt someone’s feelings and let everybody read it, which makes the hurt so much greater. I would love people to watch the film and have a great time, but also to go, ‘Ooh yeah, actually being mean to someone doesn’t make me feel good. Do I feel better for it? No.’”

(Left to right) Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Thea Sharrock and Anjana Vasan attend Sony Pictures ... [+] Classics And The Cinema Society Screening Of "Wicked Little Letters" at Crosby Street Hotel on March 20, 2024 in New York City, New York.

Colman’s Wicked Little Letters director Thea Sharrock added about the film’s all-too-real connection to the regular attacks that occur on social media: “The need to get it out and often the bystander is the person who receives it. It’s not really about them, inevitably - it’s much more about you and if we can find a way to talk that through, rather than create such cruelty for other people to suffer from, the world would be a much happier place.”

Fortunately, far more positive conversations continue to occur across social media surrounding Colman’s recurring role in Heartstopper , playing Sarah Nelson, the mother of a Nick Nelson (played by Kit Connor), a kind-hearted teenager coming to terms with his sexuality. Season one includes a coming out scene between Colman and Connor that continues to be applauded, shared and talked about by loyal Heartstopper fans and the LGBTQ community.

Kit Connor and Olivia Colman in "Heartstopper"

Last week, Netflix announced that season three of Heartstopper will premiere in October, so I wondered if fans can expect the return of Colman’s beloved character in the much-anticipated new season.

Colman said in an apologetic tone, “I couldn’t do number three. I couldn’t fit it in. I feel awful about that.” She added: “I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been part of.”

I followed up by saying that the world just needs her Heartstopper character to get her own spinoff series or simply to return for a hopeful fourth season.

Colman responded, “Okay! I’ll have a word. As long as it’s booked in advance, maybe I’ll be able to do it, yeah!”

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From ‘Parasyte: The Grey’ To ‘Missing Crown Prince’, 5 Unmissable Korean Dramas Releasing In April 2024

T he month of March saw some interesting dramas ruling K-drama fans’ streaming lists. ‘Wonderful World’, ‘Queen of Tears’, ‘The Midnight Studio’, second season of ‘The Escape of the Seven’ – won hearts with their captivating narratives and excellent performances from their lead cast.

As the vibrant spring season unfolds, April brings an enticing range of Korean dramas with star-studded casts and interesting plotlines. Here are five K-dramas that are set to grace our screens in April, promising an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, tears, and everything in between.

Parasyte: The Grey

Headlined by ‘Our Blooming Youth’ actor Jeon So-nee, this sci-fi horror drama is a live-action adaptation of the manga series Parasyte. The series shows strange parasitic creatures from space falling on Earth and using humans as hosts. The humans then start exhibiting bizarre behaviours, forming a community of these infected humans, and creating havoc on the non-infected humans. Jeong Su-in (So-nee) is a victim of the parasitic attack but the alien creature fails to completely own her. This forces So-nee to co-exist with the parasite. The government forms a team of cops to tackle the menace and enlist So-nee’s help due to her special condition. The series gives Resident Evil vibes and after the success of the popular Sweet Home series, it will be interesting to see how this one fairs.

Where to watch: Netflix

Missing Crown Prince

Fans are particularly excited about this historical K-drama, which stars K-pop boy band EXO member Suho and Hong Ye-ji in lead roles. Suho plays the Crown Prince Yi Geon, who is kidnapped by Choi Myung-yoon (Ye-ji), the woman who is fated to be his wife. The romantic suspense thriller sees the two strangers fall in love while being on the run to save their lives. Set in the Joseon dynasty, the period drama promises a visual, action-packed spectacle.

Where to watch: Viki Rakuten

Lovely Runner

Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon) is a diehard fan of K-pop idol Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok). The paralysed Sol, who once aspired to become a film director, finds solace in Sun-jae's music. However, Sun-jae dies in an accident, leaving Sol heartbroken. Fate takes an unexpected turn when Sol awakens in a classroom, transported 15 years into the past, before the accidents that befell both her and Sun-jae. Viewing this as an opportunity, Sol pledges to alter the course of their destinies. ‘Lovely Runner’ is yet another addition to time travel K-dramas.

Chief Detective 1958

This mystery-thriller serves as a prequel to the 1971 K-drama ‘Chief Detective’. The events are set a decade before the original series with the narrative centering on Detective Park Young-han (Lee Je-hoon). Park, known for his expertise in catching petty thieves, joins hands with three colleagues. Together, they dismantle the injustices of corrupt authority through practicality, embodying a renaissance as detectives for the common people.

Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar

This sci-fi thriller is set in a dystopian future where humans no longer consume natural meat. Benefitting from the change is a biotechnology company called BF, which produces artificially manufactured meat. However, the CEO and founder of the company, Yoon Ja-yu (Han Hyo-joo) is met with resistance from her employees and the public. They become weary of her vision for the company. Amid the chaos, former soldier Woo Chae-woon (Ju Ji-hoon) is hired as Ja-yu’s bodyguard. The plot revolves around the two navigating personal and professional challenges while being caught in a web of moral dilemmas and deception.