Netflix’s critically acclaimed series, The Crown, has garnered an enormous following and captivated viewers with its portrayal of the royal family. However, the sixth season of the show marks the end of this mesmerizing chapter. Creator and writer Peter Morgan expressed his view on this, stating, “It’s the end of a long journey, fantastic journey… and I just hope you all enjoy it.” While fans may long for a seventh season, it seems highly improbable.
Originally, it was announced in January 2020 that The Crown would conclude after its fifth season. Peter Morgan explained that it became apparent the perfect time to end the series had arrived. However, in July 2020, Netflix confirmed the production of a sixth season, and Morgan’s plans took a new turn. Morgan stated that as they began discussing the storylines for the fifth season, it became evident that doing justice to the richness and complexity of the narrative required returning to the original plan of six seasons.
Since the first season of The Crown premiered on November 4, 2016, creator Peter Morgan’s life has revolved around the show. He has dedicated an incredible amount of time and effort to its development. Morgan stated, “I’ve worked on the show every single day, including bank holidays and Christmases for ten years… I’m proud of having got to the end and having done what I said I would do. The queen was both a very ordinary person and a completely unique and remarkable person.”
While fans revel in watching the romantic stories of Kate Middleton and Prince William unfold on screen, Peter Morgan has no interest in delving into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s love story. In an interview, he made it clear that he wished to maintain a careful distance from contemporary events. He explained that over the course of six seasons, they explored around 60 years, and it was his intention to avoid the present day. Morgan shared that he deliberately refrained from reading Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, as he didn’t want it to influence The Crown.
In interviews, creator Peter Morgan reiterated that The Crown was never meant to depict the present-day royal family. He disclosed that he wanted to allow for a distance of at least 20 years, given the strong emotions surrounding the royal family. Morgan wanted to ensure that the show remained historical, even though it concluded in the 21st century. By finishing with events that occurred in 2005, Morgan aimed to maintain a dignified boundary between the show and contemporary affairs.
With a career that has seen him explore various projects centered around the British royal family, Peter Morgan understandably expressed the need for a break from writing about them. He mentioned that, in the short term, he would not be delving into stories set in a palace. However, he did acknowledge that he might return to writing about the royals in the future, although he had no immediate plans to do so. Morgan further hinted at the possibility of a prequel to The Crown, which would require unique circumstances to come together.
While Peter Morgan has left his mark with six successful seasons of The Crown, he admitted that he is not yet happy and proud. The process of finalizing the show has left him somewhat traumatized. In an interview with The New York Times, Morgan confessed, “People keep saying, you must be so happy and proud, but I’m not yet. I’m still a bit traumatized.”
The Crown’s sixth season marks the end of a remarkable journey for both the show’s creators and its viewers. Despite the clamor for another season, it appears that season 7 is highly unlikely. Peter Morgan’s decision to conclude the series at this point reflects his desire to maintain a respectful distance from current events. While we bid farewell to The Crown, we eagerly anticipate what future projects Peter Morgan may embark upon, perhaps even a potential prequel to the beloved series.