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  "path": "/celebrity/netflix-the-crown-prequel-royal-scandals-king-queen",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-30T14:05:23.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "ITV viewers blast 'predictable' new drama just minutes into first episode: 'Giving it a miss!'",
    "BBC antiques expert blasts pub closures as threat to British life: 'Keep them open!'",
    "Harry Styles' 'engagement' prompts Channing Tatum to break silence on ex with cryptic post",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nNetflix has reportedly approved a prequel to The Crown following lengthy negotiations with Left Bank Pictures.\n\nThe deal, said to be worth up to £500million, will see the acclaimed royal drama venture further into the past.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe new Netflix series will chronicle the period beginning with Queen Victoria's death on the Isle of Wight in 1901 and concluding with Princess Elizabeth's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 1947.\n\nA source familiar with the discussions told the Daily Mail: \"Netflix has been locked in negotiations with the company for quite a long time about this spin-off series, but they've recently finally managed to seal the deal and come to an agreement.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe original series concluded in 2023 after six seasons.\n\nPeter Morgan, who created the original series and guided it to 24 Emmy Awards, is expected to take charge of the prequel.\n\nThe insider added: \"Peter had already been putting pen to pad and casting is expected to take place next year.\"\n\nThe historical drama proved instrumental in elevating several actors to stardom, including Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor, who portrayed Princess Diana and Prince Charles respectively.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAcross its run from 2016 to 2023, the show featured Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, whilst Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies and Jonathan Pryce each took on the role of Prince Philip.\n\nThe final two series, whilst achieving strong viewing figures, received a more muted critical reception.\n\nThe prequel promises to delve into some of the most turbulent decades in British royal history, with the abdication crisis of 1936 set to be a central storyline.\n\nEdward VIII relinquished the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * ITV viewers blast 'predictable' new drama just minutes into first episode: 'Giving it a miss!'\n  * BBC antiques expert blasts pub closures as threat to British life: 'Keep them open!'\n  * Harry Styles' 'engagement' prompts Channing Tatum to break silence on ex with cryptic post\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe series will also depict multiple royal successions, spanning the reigns of Edward VII, George V and George VI, the latter being Elizabeth's father and King Charles III's grandfather.\n\nBoth the First and Second World Wars are expected to feature prominently, alongside the sweeping social transformations that reshaped Britain during the early 20th century.\n\nThe establishment of the House of Windsor in 1917, when the royal family changed its name from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha amid wartime anti-German sentiment, will also be explored.\n\nBy shifting focus to earlier periods, the production may avoid the controversies over historical accuracy that dogged later seasons of the original show.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Morgan has previously expressed a preference for looking backwards rather than forwards.\n\nHe told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024: \"For the time being, I cannot imagine any circumstances in which I'd want to go further into the present, as it were, but at the same time, I don't think I'm done with the subject.\"\n\nThe writer has spoken of his \"20-year rule\", suggesting sufficient distance is needed to properly understand historical events and their significance.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added that going back in time offers \"that wonderful opportunity for metaphor\", allowing stories from the past to illuminate the present \"in camouflage\".\n\nGB News has reached out to Netflix, and Left Bank Pictures for comment.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Netflix to 'revive' The Crown with £500m prequel spanning royal scandals"
}