Netflix announced on Monday that the sixth and final season of its historical drama series The Crown will debut on November 16. The streamer revealed it would be split into two parts – as is increasingly the case with these shows – with the second installment to follow a month later on December 14.
According to the official press release from Netflix, the first leg of this regal rollercoaster will have four episodes. It will delve deep into the complex love story of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed, just before that tragic car crash that shook the world.
The second part, with six episodes, will follow a young Prince William’s struggle to find his footing at Eton after the heartbreaking loss of his mother. It will also depict his budding romance with Kate Middleton during their time as students on the grounds of the University of St. Andrews.
In the latter episodes, fans will get up close and personal into some of the old Queen’s fears as she ponders over the future of the royal dynasty, especially with her son’s marriage to his long-time lover, Camilla Parker Bowles.
Netflix announced The Crown’s release date with a teaser trailer that’s nothing short of breathtaking. The footage opens with the Queen sitting room with a clock ticking in the background for dramatic effect. Next, we hear the voices of Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton – women who have played the Queen over the course of the show’s six seasons, narrating her journey through time.
The clip translates the responsibility and duty of the great monarch to viewers. It is representative of the show’s attempts to humanize the Queen and show a peek, however brief, into her reality. The message it portrays is that life as a royal is not all rosy and it demands sacrifices.
This sentiment is echoed by Olivia Colman, who played the Queen in seasons 3 and 4. She says, “Some portion of our natural selves is always lost. We have all made sacrifices. It is a duty.” Surely exorbitant wealth helps a bit.
The historical drama series has a precedence of replacing young actors with older ones as their characters age. Season 6 is no different and it will add some fresh faces to the mix. Among others, The Crown Season 6 will see Ed McVey step into the role of Prince William, Luther Ford as Prince Harry, and Meg Bellamy as Kate Middleton.
The Crown Season 6 – Part One will arrive on Netflix on November 16 with the second installment to follow four weeks later on December 14.
