It was revealed that Claire Foy, who played Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, was paid less than her co-star, Matt Smith. After facing backlash following the revelation that Smith, who plays Prince Philip, was earning considerably more the progamme-makers have awarded Foy £200,000 in back pay.
Despite Foy winning a Golden Globe for her performance, calculations would suggest that Smith was earning £10,000 more per episode than his counterpart. While he may have been more familiar to the audience through this role on Doctor Who, Foy played the lead character. ‘I support her completely and I’m pleased that it was resolved and they made amends’, Smith told Hollywood Reporter.
The Times reports that makers of the series, Left Bank Pictures, said: ‘As the producers, we are responsible for budgets and salaries. The actors are not aware of who gets what and cannot be held personally responsible for the pay of their colleagues. We are absolutely united with the fight for fair pay, free of gender bias and for a rebalancing of the industry’s treatment of women in front of the camera and behind the scenes’.
Foy and Smith will no longer star in future seasons of the hit show as they will be replaced to mirror the real-time age of the Royals they portray. Foy will be succeeded by Olivia Coleman and Helena Bonham-Carte will be taking on the role of Princess Margaret.