Reports suggest Netflix has greenlit a £500 million prequel to The Crown
Negotiations reportedly began in 2022, but the streaming giant has yet to issue a formal confirmation of the project
Reports indicate that Netflix has closed a deal to commence production on a new prequel to its acclaimed drama series The Crown. According to information sourced from the Daily Mail, the streaming company has officially given the green light for the project, which will be developed by the show's creator, Peter Morgan, in collaboration with producer Left Bank Pictures.
The proposed series, reportedly titled The Crown: The Early Years, aims to chronicle the history of the British royal family from the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 up to the events depicted in the original series' first season. This timeline specifically covers the period leading up to the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of the narrative in the initial season of the existing show.
Financial commitments for the ambitious project are substantial, with sources stating that an allocated budget of £500 million has been set aside for production. This figure, equivalent to approximately $681 million, underscores the scale of the undertaking and the confidence placed in Morgan's vision to revisit this historical era from a different angle.
Negotiations between Netflix and Left Bank Pictures regarding the prequel reportedly commenced in 2022, prior to the release of the original series' final season in late 2023. This early start to discussions suggests a long-term strategic plan to expand the franchise, even before the conclusion of the current run which covered the relationships of Prince William, Catherine, King Charles, and Queen Camilla.
Peter Morgan has expressed interest in exploring the timeline from a different perspective, noting that looking back in time offers wonderful opportunities for metaphor. He previously stated that while he felt he had sufficiently covered recent events, he was not finished with the subject matter entirely, indicating a desire to delve deeper into the roots of the monarchy.
Despite the detailed reporting on the deal, Netflix has not yet issued an official press release confirming the project. Consequently, the specific title of the prequel and the exact start date for production remain undisclosed, relying instead on media reports from the Daily Mail to substantiate the claim that the green light has been granted.
