There was no expense spared (it seemed) when Netflix came to budget for their newest show, The Crown. The cost to bring it to our screens reportedly hovers at around the jaw-dropping sum of $156million – the most expensive show made by Netflix ever. Now, the streaming site has announced that the drama will launch on November 4th, and will be available in 4K (aka ultra high definition).
Set in the 1950s, The Crown follows the rise to power of Queen Elizabeth II. In the time following the tragic death of her father, we see the princess – a 27-year-old newlywed – thrust into limelight as she prepares to take on the daunting role as head of the world's most famous monarchy.
Honing in on the romances of the royal household at the time – The Queen's marriage to Prince Philip, Edward VIII's abdication for his love of Wallis Simpson – the series also explores the era's political rivalries; Winston Churchill, former 'father of the nation', coming to terms with the nation's new 'mother', the young Queen, who isn't afraid to show true grit in front of the formidable Prime Minister.
Directed by Stephen Daldry (of Billy Elliot and The Reader), the show stars **Wolf Hall's Clare Foy as Queen Elizabeth II and Matt Smith as Prince Philip (we hardly need to say 'Dr Who'), and also features Jeremy Norton, Greg Wise, and John Lithgow as Winston Churchill. Vanessa Kirby will also star as the Queen's younger sister, Princess Margaret. So undeniably, it boasts a stellar cast, and together with its mammoth budget, the 10-part series is set to be a visual feast for the eyes.
But whether the script of Peter Morgan (writer of The Queen and award-winning West End show The Audience) will be a realistic portrayal of that challanging time – 'an empire in decline, a world in disarray and the dawn of a new era' as Morgan said – remains to be seen.
We cannot wait for it to air a little later on this year to find out.
For a sneak peek, watch the sizzle below...