While not all Netflix shows are exceptional, The Crown truly stands out for its lavish and detailed historical settings. Netflix has become a dominant force in streaming by consistently delivering shows that offer a satisfying and popular experience – a strategy some have likened to a high-quality, comforting “gourmet cheeseburger.”
Netflix has a reputation for ending shows after just a few seasons, usually not letting them run for more than three. That’s why The Crown is so remarkable – it maintained its excellent quality throughout all six seasons and 60 episodes, fully exploring the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
Every Frame Of The Crown Looks Expensive
Watching The Crown feels less like watching a TV show and more like experiencing a major film. Every shot is beautifully crafted, showcasing everything from the vast palace rooms to the smallest details in the hallways. The sets and costumes are incredibly accurate to the time period, and the filming style perfectly balances a sense of historical realism with a majestic, almost dreamlike quality, bringing the late 20th century to life.
The series’ distinctive look is largely due to Peter Morgan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind period dramas like The Queen and Frost/Nixon. Morgan, known for his cinematic approach, prioritized strong acting, carefully planned scenes, and a detailed, visually compelling narrative.
While shows like Stranger Things use a lot of computer-generated effects, The Crown focuses on filming in real locations and creating detailed, historically accurate sets and props. The show even changes actors every two seasons instead of using makeup or digital technology to make them appear younger, which helps maintain a realistic look and allows characters to age convincingly over time.
As a total cinema lover, I have to say The Crown is just stunning to look at. It’s easily the most beautifully made series Netflix has ever put out. The way it’s filmed, the incredible sets, and all the little creative choices really elevate it – it feels like a benchmark for how good TV can be when it’s made with real care and artistry on a streaming service.
The Crown Was Netflix’s Play At HBO Prestige Period Drama
When The Crown launched in 2016, Netflix was still establishing itself as a creator of high-quality, original shows. While the platform had started making original series in 2013 with popular, groundbreaking hits like House of Cards and Orange Is the New Black, it was eager to demonstrate it could match the quality and reputation of HBO.
| The Crown Cast & Characters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Character | Season(s) | Actor |
| Queen Elizabeth | 1-2 | Claire Foy |
| 3-4 | Oliva Colman | |
| 5-6 | Imelda Staunton | |
| Prince Philip | 1-2 | Matt Smith |
| 3-4 | Tobias Menzies | |
| 5-6 | Jonathan Pryce | |
| Princess Margaret | 1-2 | Vanessa Kirby |
| 3-4 | Helena Bonham Carter | |
| 5-6 | Lesley Manville | |
| Prince Charles | 3-4 | Josh O’Connor |
| 5-6 | Dominic West | |
| Princess Diana | 4 | Emma Corrin |
| 5-6 | Elizabeth Debicki |
Netflix signaled its commitment to high-quality programming with The Crown, reportedly investing over $100 million in its first seasons – a remarkably large amount for a streaming show back then. This marked a shift for Netflix, focusing on producing a smaller number of shows, but making each one exceptionally well-made.
Although The Crown had a large budget, this allowed the creators to fully bring their vision to life without cutting corners. This investment is clear in the show’s impressive details, like complete recreations of Buckingham Palace’s interiors, carefully designed sets from the correct time periods, and filming at actual historical locations in Britain, all of which contribute to its realistic feel.
Back in 2016, Netflix focused on quality and making high-status shows, a different approach than today where they often prioritize low costs, creating popular franchises, and releasing a lot of content. This commitment to quality, along with giving creators freedom and making smart production choices, resulted in The Crown becoming Netflix’s most acclaimed historical drama and helped establish the company as a major player in premium television.
The Crown Isn’t a Traditional Netflix Production & That’s Why It Stands Out
Although The Crown is known as a Netflix original, Netflix mainly provided the funding and handled distribution. The series was actually created by Left Bank Pictures, a part of Sony Pictures Television, which specializes in high-quality British dramas with compelling characters and broad international interest.
Left Bank Pictures is known for creating high-quality historical and biographical dramas, and popular British series like Outlander that appeal to international audiences. They specialize in making lavish productions feel realistic and genuine, focusing on accurate historical details, strong acting, and believable environments.
Unlike many Netflix shows that can feel quickly made, overly polished but lacking depth, or limited by budget, The Crown focuses on creating a realistic and authentic world through detailed sets, props, and costumes. The show prioritizes practical craftsmanship over digital effects, which is what truly makes it stand out.
Left Bank Pictures brought a realistic and cinematic quality to the show, turning it into a high-end period drama. Simply put, The Crown appears lavish not only due to Netflix’s funding, but because it was made by a studio known for producing top-quality television for decades.
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2026-03-22 19:45