‘The Crown’ Confirms Filming, Production Suspension Following Queen’s Passing: ‘A Mark Of Respect’
“The Crown” currently works on its sixth and final season. But, in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, the production has adjusted its filming schedules out of “respect.”
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, a rep for Netflix confirmed that filming on the British Royal-based series was “suspended” on Friday “as a mark of respect.” It is also stated that filming will be halted, as well, “on the day of Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral.”
No date has been disclosed yet for the late monarch’s funeral. But, an official statement, published on the British Royal Family’s website earlier on Friday, notes that the date “will be confirmed in due course.”
It also says that “it is His Majesty The King’s wish that a period of Royal Mourning be observed from now until seven days after The Queen’s Funeral.”
News of “The Crown” filming and production suspension first surfaced following the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday.
In an email to Deadline, series creator and writer Peter Morgan stated that he expects production on the sixth season “will stop filming out of respect.”
The publication quoted the British screenwriter’s piece, writing, “‘The Crown’ is a love letter to her and I’ve nothing to add for now, just silence and respect. I expect we will stop filming out of respect, too.”
Elsewhere in the report, the outlet recalled what Stephen Daldry said about their plans in place should the British Monarch pass away during the show’s run when “The Crown” first went into production. It noted that the director vowed to stop working on the set for a respectable period of time.
As reported, Daldry, who directed some episodes from Season 1, stated that “it would be right and proper to show respect” to Queen Elizabeth II despite not knowing when that time would come.
He is said to have continued that “it would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect,” adding that the British Monarch “is a global figure and it is what [they] should do.”
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II’s passing comes ahead of the show’s fifth season premiere on Netflix. The material is set to drop on the streaming platform in November.
Season 5 of the British Royal-based series comes with a new cast. Replacing Olivia Coleman from Seasons 3 and 4, Imelda Staunton will play the British Monarch in the latest installment.
Variety said that the upcoming season will likely focus on the British Royal Family’s lives in the 1990s, leading up to Princess Diana’s death in 1997.