As Netflix’s The Crown season 6 ends, fans are left with a bittersweet finale. The final chapter of this captivating historical drama leaves a mixed bag of emotions. From the ornate sets to the gripping dialogue, The Crown concludes an era of regal storytelling about a family like no other, but this begs the question: Is season 6 of The Crown good? The answer: it is okay.
Wikipedia defines The Crown as “a historical drama television series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, created and principally written by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix. […] The series consists of six seasons, spanning almost six decades, […] [t]he principal cast of the series has been changed every two seasons.”
The sixth season of The Crown is set from 1997 to 2005. Season six events include the premiership of Tony Blair, the early relationship of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, and the deaths of Princess Diana, Princess Margaret, and Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Season six of The Crown continues the show’s meticulous attention to historical accuracy and detail. It offers a compelling blend of fact and fiction that gives viewers a glimpse into the world of royalty. The show attempts “to relate to a family that’s literally unlike any other on the planet.” (Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence) These creative liberties give viewers a personal feel and connection that still shows strongly in the final season.
There have been reports and speculation about whether members of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II herself, have watched The Crown. However, the royal family has not publicly commented on the show or whether they have watched it, but members of the royal family such as Prince Harry, Princess Anne, and Princess Eugene have stated publicly that they have watched some of the show. The Crown is known for its high production quality, with a production budget of about $6.5 to $13 million per episode for the first two seasons, making it one of the most expensive TV shows ever produced. The show's total production cost for seasons 1 and 2 was $130 million. Initially, Peter Morgan, the creator of The Crown, said "Originally, when I went to Netflix, I was pitching it as three seasons." However, as he began to develop the story and characters, he found that there were many more layers to explore. He pitched the idea to Netflix with the hope that they would give him the opportunity to tell the story he had in mind. As the show gained popularity and critical acclaim, the streaming giant was eager to continue investing in it. Morgan was pleased that he had the chance to expand the show beyond his original plans and delve deeper into the lives of the royal family.
At the heart of Season 6 are the compelling portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II, brilliantly portrayed by Imelda Staunton, and Prince Charles, brought to life by Dominic West. Additionally, this season, Ed McVey takes a massive leap as the main character, portraying Prince William. Their nuanced performances add depth and humanity to these iconic figures, making them relatable and engaging even when the script lags into melodrama.
The issues with this season do not lie in the performances but in the often turgid script. For example, Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, is presented weirdly. This season opens with Diana’s death, and the viewers are hammered with conversations about Diana’s going-to-die foreshadowing. This does not further Diana’s character. It takes away from Debicki’s masterful performance and the possibly fictious moments of love between Khalid Abdalla‘s Dodi Fayed and Diana, and it makes the viewer wait for her death instead of contemplating who she was as a person.
Likewise, Prince William and Kate Middleton are given too much screen time. Their relationship is slightly interesting, but it takes away from other storylines. Prince Harry, played by Luther Ford, and William barely gets any screentime together, and the notoriously tense relationship between Harry and William gets shoved to the side. Furthermore, William’s relationship with Prince Charles is explored but very one-dimensional. The moments where Prince Phillip, played by Jonathan Pryce, guides William in his relationships are very entertaining, and there should have been more of that.
What The Crown season six fails to realize is that it “is always at its best when it focuses on Elizabeth II.” (Valentina Morillo, El Español) Elizabeth’s handling of the Golden Jubilee and Margaret’s birthday party are the show’s best episodes. While Season 6 of The Crown may not reach the heights of its predecessors, it “starts with Elizabeth and it ends with Elizabeth, […] [t]hese 60 episodes are the most complete and profound ways of telling her story.” (William Tucker, But Why Tho?) The show’s ability to humanize historical figures and explore the complexities of power and privilege is a true testament to the British Crown’s enduring legacy, and fans across the globe will be sad that this Netflix series has ended.
