The Crown - Review

"Who we are is not what we wear or what glitters. It's the spirit that defines us" – A review of The Crown.

I've never fully understood the fascination people have with the royal family. To me, they're just people, a family lucky enough to be born into wealth and luxury. I have very little thoughts on them from a personal perspective and didn't think I'd ever really find a TV show about them interesting, so it was a pleasant surprise when I discovered enjoyment in The Crown.

The Crown is a historical drama series which chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, following her journey from a young newlywed in 1947, new to the throne, to the challenges and triumphs of her long rule through to the early 21st century. The series is a blend of personal and political storylines, examining the realities of royal life, the demands of duty, and the evolving nature of the British monarchy across decades.

Across six seasons, the show follows the Queen throughout various stages of her life. Season one and two focusses on the early years of her reign, including her marriage to Prince Phillip and her relationship with Winston Churchill, seasons three and four focusses on political shifts and introduces Princess Diana, whilst seasons five and six follows Charles and Diana's divorce, the death of Diana, and the rise of Tony Blair.

Something really clever about this show is the casting. The show replaces its cast every two seasons, helping to reflect the aging of the characters, ensuring the realism of the series isn't lost. For example, the Queen is played by Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton at different stages of her life, and they're all perfectly cast and deliver incredible performances.

There are other incredible performances throughout the series, which is unsurprising when you consider the cast involved includes Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Kirby. There are careful casting choices and strong performances across the board, which leads to authenticity and emotional depth throughout.

While The Crown is based on true events, it does of course take creative liberties for dramatic effect. There are some episodes and character interactions which are fictional, and although the show captures the general spirit and many key events of the period, it's not always completely factual. With that being said, it does a great job of recreating the tension and political atmosphere of the times in an incredibly entertaining way.

I really was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this series. The drama, incredible performance, detailed sets and brilliant writing had me gripped throughout. If you've never seen The Crown, I would highly recommend it.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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