Netflix's "The Crown," which comes to the streaming platform on Nov. 4, is going to highlight the struggles of Prince Philip. Viewers of the royal drama will be able to learn more about the man who has been married to Queen Elizabeth for 70 years.
His life in the British monarchy, especially in the beginning, wasn't always picture-perfect. Prince Philip will be played by "Doctor Who" actor Matt Smith in "The Crown," who has expressed admiration for the character he's playing on the small screen.
"The Crown" Season 1 on Netflix will feature the beginnings of Elizabeth's reign as the Queen of England in the 1950s. At that time, she was also a newly-married woman to a Greek and Danish royalty named Philip.
The series will reportedly depict Prince Philip's issues and regrets over marrying a powerful woman. Daily Mail reports that "The Crown" will show how Prince Philip was strongly against becoming inferior to his wife in public, given that she's their queen. A scene from "The Crown" will supposedly show Prince Philip protesting to his wife. He apparently refused to kneel before her when she was being crowned.
The drama might paint a grim picture of the queen's husband. But Matt Smith said espousing the part of Prince Philip in "The Crown" made him realize how self-assured the queen's husband is despite the struggles.
Matt Smith cited that Prince Philip was in a "very bizarre position" and perhaps felt emasculated. "His career in the Navy was taken away from him when she became the monarch," the actor told Sunday World.
The actor also said that "The Crown" will not hold back in telling the story of the royals in a way that humanizes who they really are. But that the writing will also be respectful of these real lifer personalities. "At the heart of this is this really rich love story - about two soul mates who are put under great pressure by her responsibility to become Queen, so early and so unexpectedly," Matt Smith said, per Express.
Claire Foy plays Queen Elizabeth in "The Crown." Watch a new featurette about the Netflix show below.
