Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Netflix set to produce first original UK series about the Queen

Drama will follow the Queen from her ascent to the throne to the present day

Daisy Wyatt
Friday 23 May 2014 13:22 BST
Comments
The Queen of England will be the subject of a new Netflix original drama called The Crown
The Queen of England will be the subject of a new Netflix original drama called The Crown (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The UK looks set to get its first original drama series on Netflix with a budget of £100m.

But while the US has Machiavellian congressman Frank Underwood, the UK’s equivalent of House of Cards will be based on a less conniving character, the Queen.

Netflix has won a multi million pound deal to broadcast a new 20-part biopic of the Queen, according to industry magazine Broadcast.

The drama, called The Crown, will chart Elizabeth II’s reign from her ascent to the throne aged 26 to the present day, and will be written by Peter Morgan, who penned 2006 film The Queen.

The series will also focus on the changing political landscape during her time on the throne.

The Crown will reportedly be directed by Oscar-nominated Stephen Daldry, whose previous credits include Billy Elliot (2000), The Hours (2002) and The Reader (2008), and will be released on Netflix in 2016.

Netflix beat ITV and the BBC to win the broadcasting contract, and is reported to have offered a budget of more than £5m per episode to produce the series.

The streaming service has enjoyed success in the UK with its original US series House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, and won a Bafta TV for its final series of Breaking Bad.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in