Queen Elizabeth II’s life story is getting one more chapter in Netflix’s critically acclaimed historical drama The Crown. Over its first five seasons, the series has covered 50 years worth of history, though it has drawn some scrutiny over its historical accuracy. To cover such an expansive period, The Crown recasts its lead cast every two seasons to realistically reflect the character’s ages at various points in history.
The Crown creator Peter Morgan made his breakthrough in the industry by tackling Queen Elizabeth’s life in the 2006 biographical drama The Queen and would revisit her in his play The Audience. However, The Crown allowed him to truly take a deep dive into her life across 50 episodes with a budget and scale that does justice to her story. Now, he’s preparing to bring the lengthy, award-winning series to an end.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Crown season 6 before it premieres on Netflix.
When does The Crown season 6 release on Netflix?
In the past, Netflix has always released seasons of The Crown in full. However, season 6 will be the first to arrive in two parts. The Crown season 6 Part 1 arrives on November 16, 2023, and will consist of four episodes. Meanwhile, Part 2 will follow on December 14, 2023, and will contain the last six episodes of the season.
Does The Crown Season 6 have a trailer?
The Crown season 6 does not yet have an official trailer. However, it did receive a brief teaser as part of the release date announcement.
The teaser incorporated some of the past into its tease of the future, as it featured all three actresses who have portrayed Queen Elizabeth. Claire Foy, who portrayed the role for seasons 1 and 2, opens the teaser before the voice switches to Olivia Colman, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth in seasons 3 and 4. Both of these past incarnations of Queen Elizabeth comment on what they sacrificed and the sense of themselves they lost in fulfilling their royal duties. However, the teaser ends with the current Queen Elizabeth actress, Imelda Staunton, still questioning the life and woman she pushed aside for the monarchy.
Who stars in The Crown season 6?
As mentioned above, Staunton will lead The Crown season 6 as Queen Elizabeth. Given their appearance in the teaser, Foy or Colman may also return through flashbacks, as Foy did in season 5.
Additionally, much of the cast from season 5 will be returning for the final season. Among those returning are Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Dominic West as Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles, Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne, Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed, Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed, and Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair.
While many viewers had hoped Gillian Anderson would return as Margaret Thatcher, it has been confirmed she will not be in The Crown season 6. Initially, rumors alleged that she had refused to return, resulting in the show undergoing rewrites. However, Anderson and Netflix later debunked the rumors, revealing that there simply weren’t plans for her to reprise the role beyond season 4.
Season 6 Part 2 will also welcome a few new faces to the cast. Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy have joined the cast as Prince William and Kate Middleton, respectively, during their university days. Meanwhile, Luther Ford will portray a teenage Prince Harry. In Part 1, Rufus Kampa and Fflyn Edwards will portray young Prince Willian and Prince Harry, respectively.
What is The Crown season 6 about?
The Crown season 6 will follow Queen Elizabeth’s life from 1997 - 2005. One of the primary events Part 1 is expected to cover is the passing of Princess Diana and how the monarch coped with the tragedy while being subjected to public opinion and scrutiny. Meanwhile, Part 2 will cover Queen Camilla’s and King Charles III’s marriage and the early relationship between Prince William and Middleton. The story will end, though, before it gets to such events as Prince William’s marriage or Prince Harry’s relationship with Meghan Markle.
In addition to the major events detailed above, it appears the season will also be one of reflection for Queen Elizabeth as she looks to the future and the past while grappling with the cost of her queenly duties.
The Crown season 6 will premiere on Netflix on November 16, 2023.