Peter Morgan, the creator behind *The Crown*, has spent a significant part of his career dramatizing the British royal family. Morgan, who also wrote the 2006 film *The Queen* and the 2013 play *The Audience*, both centered on the late Queen Elizabeth II, wrapped up the sixth season of *The Crown* in December. He revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that working on the show, which debuted in 2016, was more intense and challenging than he had anticipated. "I believe that the reason I had the energy and stamina to complete everything I did was because the material was so enjoyable to write and work on," Morgan said.
Although the series concluded with the 2005 wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, Morgan feels the story feels unfinished. He didn’t rule out the possibility of revisiting the royal family in the future, stating, "I don’t think I’m done with the subject. I might figure out a different way to approach it."
Morgan has faced criticism, including speculation about how certain royal family members feel about the dramatization of their lives. Despite the show's acclaim, with 18 Emmy nominations next month, Morgan has also been the subject of criticism. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he doesn’t place much weight on the buzz. "I’ve heard that they love it, that they hate it. I’ve heard everything," he said. "I’ve made the decision that I won’t believe anything I hear until I hear it directly from a member of the royal family."
According to royal biographer Robert Hardman, Prince William and Kate Middleton do not watch *The Crown*. In Hardman’s new book, *The Making of a King*, it’s reported that a close confidant of Prince William mentioned that William rolls his eyes at claims that the show is merely drama, though he avoids complaining publicly to avoid increasing its visibility. Olivia Colman, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth in Seasons 3 and 4, revealed on *The Graham Norton Show* that when she asked Prince William if he had watched *The Crown*, his response was a firm no, though he was charming and polite.
In a 2021 interview with James Corden, Prince Harry acknowledged having seen *The Crown*. He noted that while the show doesn’t pretend to be news, it’s only somewhat accurate and not entirely true. "It gives you a rough idea of what life is like, the pressures of putting duty and service above family, and everything else," Harry said. He expressed discomfort with the way fiction is presented as fact, adding that this is what irritates him the most.
Later in 2023, during an appearance on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert*, Prince Harry was asked if he had fact-checked the show. He confirmed that he had, emphasizing the importance of accurate historical portrayal.
