Best Television Series – Drama – Nominee
The Queen’s “annus horribilis” in 1992. Charles and Diana’s separation and subsequent divorce. How Princes William and Harry struggled to deal with it. That famous BBC interview that we now know the Princess of Wales was coaxed into. And a look into the roots of Dodi Fayed’s family history. These are some of the milestones evoked in producer and writer Peter Morgan’s season 5 of The Crown which takes place from 1991 to 1997.
When Morgan began planning for the final two seasons two years ago – the next one will be the last – he had only an inkling of how it would conclude. “I think I will end around the time when William and Harry are young men finishing school”, he told us then. “I only know for certain that I want to be far enough from present time that it won’t look like a documentary. I am talking 20 years from the present. This distance is important to me.”
Season 5 was shot during the summer and fall of 2021 amidst heavy Covid-restrictions. The usual team of researchers worked behind the scenes to make the storylines as accurate as possible. A collaboration with ‘The Firm’, as the British Royal family is called, was never an option. “I wouldn’t want it,” Morgan argued. “I prefer to think and write freely. The second you ask someone for help or support, you are in their debt. It is a question of dignity that we grant them their independence and thereby protect ours. The royal family and we exist in a space of mutual denial.”
Morgan chose Elizabeth Debicki – also a Golden Globe nominee this year – as the second actress to portray Princess Diana (after Emma Corrin who also won the Globe for her role). This casting was a leap of faith, he says: “I had not seen her in anything, but she has a supernatural quality about her which she shares with Diana. Diana may have started as the girl next door, but she grew into a goddess. She had courage and an unbelievable charisma.”
The other principals were also replaced: Queen Elizabeth II. is played by Imelda Staunton and Prince Charles by Jonathan Pryce (both nominated). Dominic West signed on as Prince Charles.
The Crown has altogether four Golden Globe nominations this year.