Review: The Crown

In which G.M. Norton enjoys a jewel in the Netlix crown.

Despite being a jolly throwback that enjoys looking to the past, my feet are still firmly planted in the present. As a result, I carry around a portable electronic communications device (also known as a mobile phone), my masculinity isn’t hampered because my beloved is now the higher earner (I'm a little closer to my dream of becoming a gentleman of leisure) and finally, I subscribe to the thoroughly modern phenomenon of Netflix.

Netflix really is quite wonderful. I recently finished watching a Netflix original series about Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth called The Crown.

The ten part series covers Her Majesty from the time when she married her own beloved, Prince Philip, and follows her transformation from Princess to Queen.

In some ways, it’s like a real-life Game of Thrones, chumrades. Just not as much nudity (you do see the Philip’s bottom), no dragons (boo!) and little or no mentions that winter is coming (although smog does feature quite heavily). The Queen does remind me of Daenerys Targaryen, the Queen of Dragons – watching how she takes on the heavy mantle of monarch and really develops in the role is a joy to watch. I particularly enjoyed it when she reduced Sir Winston Churchill to a naughty schoolboy. 

The Queen is played by an actress called Claire Foy, who I since found out was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester (incidentally, we also share the same birthday, although I am two years older). Claire Foy is exceptional in the role; from the voice to mannerisms, her performance really is first rate. I must admit, I couldn't help feeling that Philip was a very lucky rascal to get to take her up the aisle. What a gal!

Prince Philip was portrayed in The Crown by Matt Smith, who I sorely miss as Doctor Who (anybody for fish fingers and custard?). With his tall, slim physique and ability to walk with his hands behind his back, I was thoroughly impressed with Matt Smith in this role.

Very interestingly, the series also regularly touched on the abdication of King Edward VIII, with a number of flashback scenes all adding to the spectacle. Of course, next weekend marks the 80^th anniversary of the King’s abdication for the woman he loved, Wallis Simpson. I’ve penned a piece on this in the forthcoming winter edition of In Retrospect magazine.

I must confess that it took me around seven episodes in before the penny dropped that the actor tasked with bringing Sir Winston Churchill back to life was none other than John Lithgow from 1990’s comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun fame.

John Lithgow gives a stellar performance as the first Prime Minister under Her Majesty's rule. 

I don’t want to give too much away, although if you are interested in history then you will already know the main plotlines! Of course, like a lot of dramas, the writers do have some creative freedom, which I for one enjoyed very much indeed.

I'm now waiting expectantly for series two.

G.M. Norton

Protagonist of 'Norton of Morton'

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