Written by contributor Lisa D
Already four years in a row, The Crown remains in the position of one of the most awaited premieres for towards the end of the year. This year is no exception as on November 15th, Netflix brings season 4 of the renowned drama series. Luckily, the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the filming process as most of the fourth season had already been filmed before the total lockdown started in March. Therefore, hundreds of millions of fans all over the world cannot wait to place themselves on cosy couches and enjoy the brand new season.
Former seasons of The Crown had an enormous success. Since 2016, the show, including the members of the cast and the whole production team, were nominated for various prizes and awards more than 100 times and accumulated more than 30 awards, including Golden Globes, Emmys, and BAFTAs. However, it’s not the awards alone that made The Crown so auspicious. Its highest achievement, as with any media product, is its viewers love and appreciation. Consequently, the expectations from the following season are excessively high.
So, what do we expect from Season 4 of The Crown and what is the most wanted to be seen? First things first:
Events and Timeline
Events play a huge role in the composition and development of the story the show is conveying. To follow the historical timeline as accurately as possible, but not to overfill the narration with dates and facts and to remain within the framework of the screen time, each season of The Crown is dedicated to a certain period. While Season 1 features the end of King George VI’s reign and establishment of Princess Elizabeth’s as Queen Elizabeth II covering approximately the years from 1947 to 1955. Season 2 begins with the Suez Canal issue in 1956 leading all the way forward to the birth of Prince Edward in 1964. Season 3 starts in the same 1964 with the death of Winston Churchill, welcoming Harold Wilson as a new Prime Minister, and it ends in 1977 with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
In turn, the actions of Season 4 are going to take place from the late 1970s to 1990. The show has already proved to be highly careful and selective, covering the most crucial events in British history. Equally, the 1980s were saturated years for Britain and the world. Naturally, the major events of this time are associated with the politics of Margaret Thatcher, along with the massive workers’ strikes, Falkland War, continuing IRA issues, and their influence on the Royal family are expected to be covered in the forthcoming season.
However, the most anticipated occasion of Season 4 is the Royal wedding of 1981, followed by the births of Princes William and Harry. Prince Charles and Diana Spencer’s relationships were always coated with layers of rumours and gossips, and although many leaked out to press years ago, it is still interesting to see how the creators of The Crown interpreted these course of events. Moreover, their mutual 1983 tour to Australia and New Zealand and Lady Diana’s 1989 Concorde flight are to be featured in the season as well. In addition, Michael Fagan’s 1982 intrusion into the Queen’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace is to be expected in the series.
The cast and the portrayal of the new historical figures
The show is famous for its incredibly precise depiction of the Royal family, British history, and historical figures in particular. It is also known for the tendency to recast once every two seasons which aims to depict the progressive development of the characters according to the period that is about to be shown in a season. In Seasons 1 & 2, we have already met Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, Matt Smith as Prince Philip, and Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret who gave their positions forward to Olivia Colman, Tobias Menzies, and Helena Bonham Carter in Season 3 respectively. Furthermore, in the previous season, we had the joy to observe wonderful Erin Doherty and Josh O’Connor staring as Princess Anne and Prince Charles. They all are still staying in the Season 4.
Claire Foy, though, was spotted acting Queen Elizabeth II once more last November, presumably filming the reflection scene of Princess Elizabeth’s speech in Cape Town in 1947, dedicated to her 21st birthday, which might be included in Season 4.
The People’s Princess makes her first appearance in the show
As previously mentioned, Season 4 is about to portray the Royal family in the 1980s. Thus, the most awaited characters of the season are the figures of Princess Diana and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In 2019, a British actress Emma Corrin confirmed her future appearance in The Crown as Princess Diana. “Overjoyed, over the moon and incredibly honoured,” she said on Instagram about joining the cast.
Looking outstandingly alike the people’s Princess, especially when placed in the visual aesthetics of the time, Corrin is meant to be the significant part of The Crown. In his press statement about a year ago, the creator Peter Morgan asserted Emma to be:
“a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer. As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation.”
“I feel I’ve got to know Diana like you would a friend. . . . I get a great sense of companionship from her,” explains Emma in her September interview with British Vogue.
The first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
As well as Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher hardly needs any explanation. The first female Prime Minister of the UK and also the longest-serving one overall, is by no doubt considered one of the most powerful women of the 20th century. With Thatcher such an important role, it had to go to an incredible actress and it went to Gillian Anderson, who most of us know due to her resent role as Dr Jean F. Milburn in Sex Education. The actress herself confirmed her participation in the show in September 2019, saying she was extremely excited to have an opportunity to portray Thatcher, deeply exploring and even falling in love with this controversial character.
Visuals
The Crown pay immense attention to detail. Besides the display of historical events, Season 4 has to be as detailed in the choice and variety of landscapes, decorations, and costumes as the previous three.
Costuming
From the glimpses of photos that have already been released, one can see the highest resemblance. Knowing that Diana’s style has already become a legend, The Crown costume designers had to study her outfits exceptionally closely. Not only did they recreate her notorious pink dress, but also her legendary ivory silk taffeta wedding dress with an antique lace gown, a 25-feet train, and 153-yard tulle veil, originally designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. In her Vogue interview, Emma Corrin recalls: “We were filming the scene when you first see her in the wedding dress – I think it was Lancaster House in London – and I had a team of about 10 people helping me put it on, because it’s massive . . . I walked out and everyone went completely silent. More than anything else I wear in the series, it’s so… It’s her.”
Also, the official trailer pictures Gillian Anderson wearing her Thatcher’s eminent haircut, pearl earrings, and skirted suit which makes Anderson even more similar to the Prime Minister. Her Instagram followers noticed the outstanding similarity as well: another well-known British actress Rosamund Pike (Pride & Prejudice (2005); Gone Girl) commented on the shot from the upcoming season, saying she had to double-check to make sure it is really a picture of Anderson and not of Margaret Thatcher.
The Setting
According to Elle, Josh O’Connor was spotted filming a scene for the series on the stairs of British Museum in London. There is also mentioned that O’Connor and Corrin were visiting Almeria and Malaga in Spain to film the recreation of the 1983 tour to Australia.
Bt.com refers to Emma Corrin being seen in London’s Savoy while filming Lady Diana’s visit to the Barnado’s Children’s Champion Awards.
Secret Manchester states the Stevenson Square in Manchester replicated the Bronx and was later switched up to replicate 23rd Street Station in Manhattan for filming Diana’s trip to New York.
As has been said previously, Lancaster House in London was a set for filming the wedding of Diana and Charles.
Will the show continue?
Fans of The Crown can take a collective deep breath and not worry for at least another couple of years as the show will continue for Seasons 5 and 6. The incredible Imelda Staunton, whom we know as Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter film adaptations, is confirmed to be playing Queen Elizabeth II. Lesley Manville will star as Princess Margaret in Season 5, Jonathan Pryce is going to play the part of Prince Philip for both Seasons 5 and 6, and Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana.
Everything in Season 4 of The Crown is about to absorb its viewers attention completely and utterly and make them trace the story of the British ’80s through the prism of the trials and tribulations of the Royal family. Whether any particular expectations concerning historical accuracy will justify themselves this time, we will find out already in less than a month. What stays beyond any question is great detailing of the characters, fascinating cast, and amazing visual aesthetics which make the anticipation even more unbearable.
