Netflix Developing New Series About Queen Elizabeth II
Netflix already chronicles the ruthlessness of American government with House of Cards, and now the on-demand service is venturing into UK politics with an upcoming “epic” series based on the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, The Guardian reports.
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The Crown will be written by Peter Morgan – who penned the Oscar-winning 2006 drama The Queen – and inspired by his play The Audience, which focused on Elizabeth’s weekly audiences given to prime ministers dating back to her 1952 accession. According to a Guardian source, the focus of the series will be “politics and political machinations.”
The show, which reportedly has a budget of $1.68 million, will begin filming in 2015 and is expected to be on Netflix in 2016. It will be directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) and will cover the entirety of her six-decade reign. Morgan will be reunited with producer Andy Harries, who collaborated with the writer on both The Audience and The Queen. No actress is attached to the regal lead role – not even Helen Mirren, who played the Queen in the play and film.
Netflix has yet to confirm the series and have denied The Guardian‘s requests for comment. The streaming service won rights to The Crown following a battle with other UK networks like the BBC and ITV – this will be Netflix’s first original series produced in the UK, following the massive popularity and acclaim of both House of Cards and the quirky prison dramedy Orange is the New Black.