Outside of the U.K., Queen Elizabeth II was, until recently, seen primarily as an old woman who loves pink, pillbox hats, and corgis. That all changed with Peter Morgan's "The Crown," which follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II as she takes the throne in 1952 at the age of 25. The series moves through the decades as Elizabeth navigates her public and private life, through relationships with people like Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and Princess Diana. For the first two seasons, Claire Foy plays the young Queen Elizabeth II, while Olivia Colman steps in for the Queen's middle years in seasons 3 and 4.
"The Crown" takes one of the most recognizable figures in the world and shines a new light on her as it explores what it means for the monarchy to be brought into a modern era. Queen Elizabeth struggles with her new role, which offers a great amount of power while also rendering her a figurehead whose voice can often go unheard. The series explores the Queen's family, especially her relationship with her younger sister, Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby in Seasons 1-2 and Helena Bonham Carter in Seasons 3-4), who has less power but more freedom. With its combination of political intrigue, human drama, and an all-star ensemble cast, "The Crown" has become a beloved series for history buffs and non-buffs alike.
