Entertainment

‘The Crown’ may develop prequel series about sordid 20th-century scandals

Fans of “The Crown” may be getting another new series to binge-watch in the future.

Producers of the Netflix drama are discussing the possibility of penning a prequel series based on the royal family, according to Variety.

While “The Crown” covers Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding in 1947 and her reign from the 1950s to the present day, the new show would look into the earlier events of the family’s tumultuous history.

The series would reportedly dive into the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, and then into the dynasties of four British kings: Edward VII (1901-1910), George V (1910-1936), Edward VIII (1936) and George VI (1936-1952).

These rulers governed the UK and the country’s Commonwealth realms from the period after Victoria up to the start of Queen Elizabeth’s monarchy in 1952.

The outlet reported that the new show has not been greenlighted, nor is it in production as of yet.

According to the Daily Mail, though, the prequel would run for about three to five seasons.

In earlier seasons of “The Crown,” Jared Harris played King George VI, while Alex Jennings and Derek Jacobi both appeared as King Edward VIII.

Queen Victoria died at the age of 81 in 1901.
Queen Victoria died at the age of 81 in 1901. Pictures From History/Universal

Jennings, 64, originated the role of the controversial Duke of Windsor for Seasons 1 and 2. Jacobi, 83, took over for Season 3, portraying the royal in his older years.

George VI and King Edward VIII famously had a contentious relationship, with the latter abdicating the throne after less than a year in power back in 1936 so he could marry his beloved Wallis Simpson.

George then succeeded him and his reign changed the line of succession, with his older daughter, Elizabeth, taking over following his death in 1952.

Imelda Staunton will play the Queen in the finals season of "The Crown."
Imelda Staunton will play the Queen in the final season of “The Crown.” Netflix

“The Crown” is known for switching up its lead actors every two seasons to age them up. The show is set to end after Season 6 in 2023, as the last episodes will cover the sovereign’s reign into the modern era.

Claire Foy and Olivia Colman portrayed the Queen for the last four seasons, with Imelda Staunton acquiring the role for the last two seasons.

Season 5 of “The Crown” is set to premiere later this year and will take viewers through the royal family’s rocky 1990s, covering Princess Diana’s death, the Queen’s 1992 “annus horribilis” and more.

Elizabeth Debicki will be seen as the late Princess of Wales, with Dominic West playing Prince Charles, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Jonny Lee Miller as Prime Minister John Major and, rounding out the A-list cast, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.

Tragedy struck on set earlier this year when about $200,000 worth of gemstones, silverware and antiques were stolen from the Doncaster, England, production site. One pilfered item was a replica of a rare Fabergé egg that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather, George V, in 1933.

Candelabra, jewelry, a grandfather clock and a birdcage were also among the goods snatched.