Netflix is continuing its aggressive original programming push in 2016, and it’s bringing two former sci-fi aliens along to portray iconic figures in British history.
Former Doctor Who star Matt Smith and consummate professional/3rd Rock From the Sun alum John Lithgow will headline The Crown, a new drama series on Netflix that will explore “the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century” from Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street.
Smith will portray Philip Mountbatten, a former member of the Greek and Danish royal families who married Queen Elizabeth after World War II. Smith will next be seen in Terminator Genisys and also in the upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Queen Elizabeth will be played by Claire Foy, who co-starred in NBC’s Crossbones last summer and recently got her period piece on as Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall on PBS’ Masterpiece.
Lithgow will step into the iconic role of Sir Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister who led Britain during World War II before becoming Prime Minister again in 1951. Lithgow most recently appeared in Interstellar, This Is 40, and Love Is Strange.
The Crown was created by Peter Morgan (The Queen), who will write all ten episodes of the first season. Stephen Daldry, Philip Martin, and Julian Jarrold will direct the individual episodes of The Crown’s first season. Left Bank Pictures is producing The Crown in association with Sony Pictures Television
TV fans, are you looking forward to seeing Smith and Lithgow tackle a more serious drama series? Teleport down to our comment section and let your voices be heard!
