Netflix’s $530M 6-Part Series Still Stands as the Streamer’s Biggest Flex

Every day on Netflix, new TV shows and movies come and go. And while some go on to become major hits, like Bridgerton or The Night Agent, a few series stand the test of time. The prime example of that is The Crown, a historical drama series following the British royal family, that took a whopping $530 million to make throughout all six seasons.

Despite the hefty price tag, The Crown, which aired from 2016 to 2023, is a treat for viewers. Not only does creator Peter Morgan give an in-depth, no-details-removed look into the secretive world of British royalty, but each season impressed viewers and critics alike with its spot-on casting, moving performances, accurate costume design, and much more. While it's not a faultless show, with some seasons being more entertaining and compelling than others, The Crown is still one of Netflix's best original series of all time.

The Mission for 'The Crown' Was Bold, and It Paid Off

To put it simply, The Crown, throughout its many seasons, depicts the life of long-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The show kicks off in Season 1 with Queen Elizabeth's (Claire Foy) wedding to her husband, Prince Phillip (Matt Smith), in 1947, and her official start as Leader of the Commonwealth in 1952. At the time the first season was released, the timeline still felt distant to the 2016 viewer. As such, not only were viewers intrigued to know more about a lesser-known chapter of Queen Elizabeth's life, as well as about the other members, friends, and enemies of England's nobility, but the show felt, fundamentally, like a historical drama.

As time went on, however, and the topics became closer and closer to the present, The Crown's ambitions grew even further and changed TV forever. In the following seasons, as the characters aged through the decades, multiple actors went on to embody them. Queen Elizabeth, for instance, was played by Foy in the first and second seasons, Olivia Colman in the third and fourth, and Imelda Staunton in the fifth and sixth. As such, The Crown seamlessly built a in-depth timeline for the royal family, one that never faltered in quality or continuity.

'The Crown' Is One of Netflix's Most Awarded TV Shows

While Morgan's vision alone might've been enough to establish The Crown as a groundbreaking piece of TV, what set the series apart was the incredible production that went into it. Throughout the years, The Crown became the crown jewel for Netflix accolades, amassing 87 nominations and an astounding 24 wins from the Primetime Emmys alone. Among its major acting wins, both Foy and Colman won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for their twin portrayals of the Queen. John Lithgow won for his turn as Winston Churchill, Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip, Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher. Its casting, period costumes, production design and cinematography were also deservedly recognized with awards.

So while The Crown came to an end on December 14, 2023, in a season that depicts Princess Diana's final moments, the series will continue to be Netflix's biggest flex. With a massive budget and an even more talented group of costume designers, writers, directors and actors, The Crown managed to bring compelling and accurate portrayals of the world's most reported family in the world time and time again. It was certainly no easy feat, but it's now become a must-watch for every Netflix subscriber.