Plot Synopsis

Based on the award-winning play "The Audience," THE CROWN tells the inside story of Queen Elizabeth II's early reign, revealing the personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. Revealing the inner workings of two of the most famous addresses in the world -- Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street -- each season of THE CROWN focuses on a decade of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, exploring the delicate balance between her private world and public life. Season 1 begins with a 25-year-old Princess faced with the daunting prospect of leading the most famous monarchy in the world while forging a relationship with the domineering, war-hardened Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Netflix released the 10-episode first season of THE CROWN on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT.

Netflix released the entire 10-episode second season of THE CROWN on Friday, December 8, 2017 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT. As a new era begins, Queen Elizabeth struggles to navigate a world that's changing around her while preserving both the monarchy and her marriage. Season 2 opens with Philip leaving for a long tour, allowing Elizabeth to make an upsetting discovery. Prime Minister Eden wants to strike back after Egypt seizes the Suez Canal. Later, Elizabeth feels disconnected from Philip. Eden copes with international pressure and ill health. An interview stirs up harrowing memories for Philip.

THE CROWN returned for its third season on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT, as Netflix released the entire 10-episode new season. As Queen Elizabeth II faces a rapidly changing Britain, her family continues to struggle against the needs of the monarchy and the wants of their fracturing personal lives. Season 3 features new cast members Helena Bonham Carter as HRH Princess Margaret, Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles, Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother, Emerald Fennell as Camilla Parker Bowles, Jason Watkins as Harold Wilson, Erin Doherty as Princess Anne, and more.

Season 4 of THE CROWN debuted on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT, as Netflix released the entire 10-episode season. As the 1970s are drawing to a close, Queen Elizabeth and her family find themselves preoccupied with safeguarding the line of succession by securing an appropriate bride for Prince Charles, who is still unmarried at 30. As the nation begins to feel the impact of divisive policies introduced by Britain's first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, tensions arise between her and the Queen which only grow worse as Thatcher leads the country into the Falklands War, generating conflict within the Commonwealth. While Charles' romance with a young Lady Diana Spencer provides a much-needed fairytale to unite the British people, behind closed doors, the Royal family is becoming increasingly divided.

The entire 10-episode fifth season of THE CROWN dropped on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 on Netflix. With the new decade in its stride, the Royal Family are presented with possibly their biggest challenge to date; as the public openly question their role in '90s Britain. As Queen Elizabeth II approaches the 40th anniversary of her accession, she reflects on a reign that has encompassed nine prime ministers, the advent of mass television and the twilight of the British Empire. Yet new challenges are on the horizon. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong signals a seismic shift in the international order presenting both obstacles and opportunities. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing closer to home. Prince Charles pressures his mother to allow him to divorce Diana, presenting a constitutional crisis of the monarchy. Rumours circulate as husband and wife are seen to live increasingly separate lives and, as media scrutiny intensifies, Diana decides to take control of her own narrative, breaking with family protocol to publish a book that undermines public support for Charles and exposes the cracks in the House of Windsor. Tensions are set to rise further as Mohamed Al Fayed arrives on the scene. Driven by his desire for acceptance of the highest order, he harnesses his self-made wealth and power to try and earn him and his son Dodi a seat at the royal table.

The 10-episode sixth and final season of THE CROWN debuted on Thursday, November 16, 2023 on Netflix, with the first four episodes. The final six episodes dropped one month later on Thursday, December 14. A relationship blossoms between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed before a fateful car journey has devastating consequences. Prince William tries to integrate back into life at Eton in the wake of his mother's death as the monarchy has to ride the wave of public opinion. As she reaches her Golden Jubilee, the Queen reflects on the future of the monarchy with the marriage of Charles and Camilla and the beginnings of a new Royal fairytale in William and Kate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Netflix released the final six episodes of THE CROWN. In the mid-season debut, "Willsmania," 15-year-old William, hounded by press and adoring girls, struggles to find stability after Diana's death. Charles enlists his own parents to help his son. Then, in "Ruritania," the Queen, eager to improve the monarchy's public image, seeks out savvy statesman Tony Blair -- but the Prime Minister's advice defies royal protocol.