‘The Crown’ May Be Coming Back in a New Way Thanks to a Netflix Movie About This British Royal
The Crown may not be done after all. And Prince Andrew’s partly to thank. The success of Scoop, a Netflix movie about his 2019 Newsnight interview, has reportedly made executives at the streamer realize there are still more British royal family stories to tell. To that end, The Crown, which ended after six seasons in December 2023, may return to the small-screen with a prequel.
Netflix is looking to make a short-form prequel to ‘The Crown’
“When the sixth season was released at the end of 2023, some breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the controversial show had been put to bed for good,” Tatler reported. However, it looks like it may very well be on its way back. (The Crown ended after depicting now-King Charles III’s 2005 marriage to now-Queen Camilla.)
For those who have a more episodes, the better attitude, prepare to be disappointed. The Crown prequel is poised to be less of a sweeping drama spanning many decades and more “bite-size.”
A new version of The Crown “could be set to return as a miniseries or a film.” The success of Scoop, which debuted in April 2024 and depicted how BBC’s Newsnight secured an interview with the Duke of York, played a role.
According to an insider, Scoop’s popularity showed Netflix bosses that there’s still interest in “moments in time.”
“If they can repeat that pattern by delivering prequels in a shorter form,” the insider explained, “they believe they may have come up with a winning formula for a new incarnation of The Crown.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandfather is being considered as the prequel’s first subject
So, where might Netflix start with a potential Crown prequel? Not Queen Elizabeth’s father, who became king when his brother abdicated, but her great-grandfather, King Edward VII.
The oldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, King Edward, who was affectionately known as Bertie, began what would be a nine-year reign in 1901.
Per the outlet, he gained a reputation as a ‘playboy prince’ during his lifetime, even inspiring the nickname ‘Dirty Bertie.’ The king died at age 68 due to health problems associated with heavy smoking.
If the prequel happens—and is a success—Netflix is set to continue the ‘playboy prince’ theme.
Prince Andrew’s ‘Newsnight’ interview is the subject of a forthcoming Amazon miniseries
While Netflix execs consider a new version of The Crown, a show about the royal family is heading to the small screen. Amazon is releasing a three-part miniseries based on Andrew’s Newsnight interview.
Currently in production, A Very Royal Scandal centers around interviewer Emily Maitlis. (Scoop focused on producer Sam McAlister, played by Billie Piper.)
It will, per the show’s official description, follow Maitlis, who is executive producing the project, through her “professional and personal journey as a Newsnight journalist leading up to her acclaimed interview with Prince Andrew.”
The cast includes The Affair alum Ruth Wilson, who plays Maitlis opposite Good Omens star Michael Sheen as Andrew.
Andrew’s oldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, 35, is reportedly concerned about A Very Royal Scandal’s portrayal of her. Why? Because her character is expected to be featured more prominently than in Scoop.
The Crown Seasons 1-6 are streaming on Netflix.
