The Crown creator teases plans for a prequel series
He said he has 'an idea'
Last updated 27th Oct 2023
The Crown creator Peter Morgan has teased plans for a potential prequel series, saying that he has 'an idea'. Last year, reports emerged of a new show, which would be set in the era before Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne.
The prequel would reportedly start after the death of Queen Victoria, covering events that occurred just before the ones that feature in main series of The Crown.
Now, Peter has spoken to Variety about the possibility of a prequel to the popular Netflix show. He said: "I do have an idea. But first, I need to do some other things. Second, it would need a unique set of circumstances to come together."
When asked if a potential prequel would be set prior to Queen Elizabeth II's reign, Peter answered: "Yes. If I were to go back into The Crown, it would definitely be to go back in time."
Discussing the potential of a prequel series, Netflix boss Ted Sarandos said: "I have absolute faith in Peter. And if he believes there are stories to be told there, we definitely would explore it."
The sixth and final series of The Crown is due to be released in two parts, with the first one set to arrive on Netflix on 16th November. The second part will then be available to watch on 14th December. The series will cover events from the period between 1997 and 2005.
Series six of the show is expected to feature the tragic death of Princess Diana. The show is then expected to end with the wedding of the future King and Queen Charles and Camilla.
Take a look at some of the filming locations used in The Crown:
Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire
Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe and the cathedral as it stands today was built from 1079 to 1532.
Winchester Cathedral was once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman Royal power and has been host to Kings and Queens including William the Conqueror, Mary Tudor and Prince Philip of Spain. In the present day, people can visit the historic site and enjoy a guided tour, or even climb the Cathedral Tower and enjoy scenic views across Winchester. Winchester Cathedral also offers a series of events throughout the year, including concerts, open-air theatre and Christmas markets.
Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire
Josh O'Connor playing Prince Charles in scenes from series four of The Crown which were filmed at Winchester Cathedral. In the show, Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire was used as a stand-in for the marriage ceremony of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles at St Paul's Cathedral. Filming for the series took place at the cathedral in January 2023.
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Waddesdon Manor is a Grade I listed country house, which is owned by the National Trust and managed by the Rothschild Foundation, having been built by the Rothschild family in 1874. The manor and estate passed through three generations of the family and the contents of the house have grown to become one of the most rare and valuable collections in the world.
The French Renaissance-style chateau boasts landscaped gardens, an extensive art collection and a woodland playground for visitors to enjoy.
Buckingham Palace in The Crown
In The Crown, Waddesdon Manor in the Buckinghamshire village of Waddesdon is often used as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace. Here, Claire Foy is playing the role of Queen Elizabeth and is pictured with Prince Charles and Princess Anne on the show.
Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd, Wales
Caernarfon Castle was first built by Edward I of England in 1283 and was born out of war with Welsh princes, meaning its walls were built to withstand attack. Caernarfon Castle is grouped with Edward I's other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site.
Caernarfon Castle in The Crown
Caernarfon Castle is a medieval fortress in North Wales which was used as a filming location for Prince Charles' investiture as Prince of Wales in series three episode six of the hit Netflix show – which is also the real location that this took place in 1969.
Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire
Belvoir Castle's history dates back to the 11th century and it is the ancestral home of the Duke of Rutland. Belvoir Castle boasts stunning views, as you look over the battlements from the North Terrace you can see for miles over the counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Visitors can enjoy exploring the stunning Formal Gardens, discovering the many walks and trails and viewing the castle's extensive collection of art.
Windsor Castle in The Crown
In The Crown, Belvoir Castle is one of the locations which is used to replicate Windsor Castle, providing many of the interior shots throughout the show. Here, Claire Foy is playing Queen Elizabeth in series two of the show.
London Coliseum, London
The London Coliseum is the largest theatre in London's West End and opened in December 1904 as the London Coliseum Theatre of Varieties. Today, the theatre is used primarily for opera and is also the London home of the English National Ballet.
The Dominion Theatre in The Crown
In series five of The Crown, the London Coliseum is used to recreate the Dominion Theatre during the Royal Variety Performance in 1995. Here, you can see Imelda Staunton playing the role of Queen Elizabeth.
Lyceum Theatre, London
Lyceum Theatre is based in London's West End. It opened in July 1834 and has hosted a wide variety of shows and entertainment, including the first London exhibition of waxworks by Madame Tussauds. Today, the Lyceum Theatre is the home of The Lion King, which it has hosted since 1999.
The Lyceum Theatre
Olivia Colman playing Queen Elizabeth in scenes filmed at London's Lyceum Theatre in series four of The Crown. The Lyceum Theatre was used as a filming location in The Crown, when the show winds the clock back to post-war Britain.
Knebworth House, Hertfordshire
Knebworth House is a Grade II listed building, with its gardens also listed Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Since 1974, the grounds have been home to Knebworth Festival and has hosted numerous outdoor concerts featuring artists such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Liam Gallagher.
Balmoral Castle in The Crown
Cast members Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Lyla Barret-Rye arrive for filming in scenes which are portraying Balmoral Castle in series two of The Crown. Knebworth House's interiors stood in for Balmoral Castle in season five of the show, with the exteriors being filmed at Ardverikie Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
Ardverikie Estate, Newtonmore, Scotland
The 19th century Scottish baronial house has been used as a filming location for several TV shows and films, including Monarch of the Glen, with some scenes of the James Bond film No Time to Die also shot at the Ardverikie Estate.
Ardverikie Estate
Queen Elizabeth (played by Olivia Colman) and Prince Phillip (played by Tobias Menzies) in scenes filmed at Ardverikie Estate during series four of The Crown. Located in the Scottish Highlands, Ardverikie Estate has been the backdrop for Balmoral Castle in series one to five of The Crown.
Wilton House, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Wilton House is a Grade I listed country house that has been the country seat of the Earls of Pembroke for over 400 years. It was built on the site of the medieval Wilton Abbey. Wilton House has not only been used as a filming location for The Crown, but it has also been used for the filming of Bridgerton.
Buckingham Palace in The Crown
An image of Buckingham Palace's Chinese Ballroom, as seen in series two of The Crown. In the show, Wilton House in Salisbury was used to film interior shots set at Buckingham Palace.
Burghley House, Lincolnshire
Burghley House is a 16th century Grade I country house located near the Lincolnshire town of Stamford. Burley House was built for Sir William Cecil, who was Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I of England. The house is still lived in by the Cecil family and the exterior has mostly kept its Elizabethan appearance.
Burghley House
In series five of The Crown, Burghley House in Lincolnshire is used to recreate the famous Windsor Castle fire of 1992, which destroyed 115 rooms.
Lancaster House, London
Lancaster House is a mansion that is situated on The Mall in the St James's District in the West End of London. Lancaster House is next to Clarence House and St James's Palace and is a Grade I listed building, and is now used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for diplomatic receptions and related functions.
Lancaster House
Lancaster House has stood in for Buckingham Palace throughout the show thanks to its beautiful interiors which bear a resemblance. It was used as a backdrop for the iconic scene which showed Princess Diana roller-skating in series four of The Crown. Here, Princess Diana is played by Emma Corrin.
Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire
Ely Cathedral has origins dating back to AD 673 when St Etheldreda built an Abbey Church. The current building dates back to 1083 and was granted Cathedral status in 1109.
Ely Cathedral
Ely Cathedral was used as a stand-in for Westminster Abbey in scenes depicting the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in series one of The Crown. Here, Claire Foy plays Queen Elizabeth, whilst Prince Phillip is played by Matt Smith.
Old Royal Naval College, London
The Old Royal Naval College is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has seen life as both a Royal Hospital and a Royal Naval College. The building has been home to a host of historic moments, from Henry VIII's birth to Lord Nelson's lying in state. It is one of London's most popular filming locations, having also appeared in films including Les Misérables and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Buckingham Palace in The Crown
The Kennedys arriving at Buckingham Palace in series two of The Crown. President Kennedy was played by Michael C Hall and Jackie Kennedy was played by Jodi Balfour. The Old Royal Naval College is located next to the Thames in Greenwich and, in The Crown, it was used to recreate the exterior of Buckingham Palace.
York Minster
York Minster is an Anglican cathedral situated in the county of North Yorkshire. The building was completed in 1472 and is dedicated to Saint Peter.
York Minster in The Crown
York Minster is used in the upcoming sixth series of The Crown, where it is used as the location for the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla in the show. In real life, Charles and Camilla's wedding took place at Windsor Guildhall.
Canary Wharf, London
Canary Wharf is an area of East London which is part of London's central business district. It is home to an array of skyscrapers, used for both residential and business purposes.
Canary Wharf in The Crown
In the upcoming sixth series of The Crown, Canary Wharf is used to recreate 1990s Chicago and a Canadian city. Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles, was seen at Canary Wharf filming alongside extras, who were playing royal fans.
Northern Quarter, Manchester
The Northern Quarter is an area of Manchester city centre, which is mostly made up of buildings that were constructed prior to World War II. The area is well-known for its bars, cafes and shops.
Manchester in The Crown
Manchester's Northern Quarter was used to replicate 1980s Manhattan in series four of The Crown. In the show, it was used to film scenes of Princess Diana's first official trip without Prince Charles. Here, Emma Corrin can be seen playing the role of Diana in scenes shot on Peter Street in Manchester.
Liverpool's Waterfront
Liverpool's iconic Waterfront is home to The Three Graces - Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building. The Royal Albert Dock is home to the largest number of Grade I listed buildings in the country.
Liverpool in The Crown
Filming for series three of The Crown took place in Liverpool, with the Cunard Building used to replicate Washington DC. Several shop fronts were also transformed during filming. Filming also took place on North John Street in the city centre.
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
Hatfield House is a Grade I listed country house located in the town of Hatfield in Hertfordshire. The house has a Jacobean style and was built by the 1st Earl of Salisbury Robert Cecil in 1611.
Hatfield House in The Crown
Hatfield House has been used as a filming location for several series of The Crown. Thanks to its lavish interiors, the country house has been used as a stand-in for Buckingham Palace.
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