Netflix has just taken the biggest leap business-wise with its $100 million yearly, six-season deal with royal drama authority and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan. But according to Variety, Netflix's more crucial risk was not even on the financial side, as the company promised the creators of "The Crown" to not interfere with the creative process of the most ambitious TV series ever that chronicles the romantic side and the early reigning years of Queen Elizabeth II.
Andie Harries, a long-time producing partner of Morgan, recounted their meeting with Netflix CCO Ted Sarandos and VP Cindy Holland after almost a year of shopping for production houses. "In the meeting, [Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos] and Cindy said, 'We are very supportive of our filmmakers, and don't like to give notes,' at which point Peter got down on his knees and cried, 'Hallelujah!'" Stephen Daldry was hired as the director.
Peter Morgan has been acclaimed for writing brilliant narratives about the opulent and fascinating life of Queen Elizabeth II. He was recognized by the Academy in his 2006 royal historical film, "The Queen" and praised for his 2013 play "The Audience," a story that focuses on "The Queen's" meetings with her prime ministers. He thought he had discussed all possible angles in the queen's life that it dawned on him that there are so much more to shed light on when it comes to the British Monarchy icon.
"No one imagines her as a romantic creature, a sexual creature. These are all things that other films explore with other characters. But the Queen - one just doesn't dare! It's almost treasonable to think about her in a sexual context," said Morgan.
The 10-part drama would focus on the intimate relationships of the queen with her husband Prince Phillip, sister Margaret, the Queen Mother and grandmother. Morgan said the series would explore "the terrible impact becoming queen had on her and all her relationships, (about a married) couple for whom divorce was not an option."
Queen Elizabeth was just 25 in 1952, when her father, King George VI, died of lung cancer at 56. She was suddenly crowned as the new head of the monarchy as the queen.
"The Crown" would also discuss political manipulation post-war history of Britain. Moreover, it would also feature a much talked about and well-designed wardrobe, such as an even more expensive wedding gown of the queen than the original. With these factors, Netflix might have just hit the jackpot with Morgan's brainchild.
According to the report, Netflix VP of content Cindy Holland never confirmed the million-dollar worth of deal, but admitted they secured global rights to a series with high-profile filmmakers attached, and clear worldwide appeal.
"We're not afraid to invest in big production values," she says, "because we think we're competing for consumers' time--not just in how they watch television, but also the biggest movies of the day and other entertainment that they may choose to engage in." She adds, "We're unashamed in our support of lavish productions when we think those levels will do it justice."
The Netflix execs just attended a two-day read-through at the start of production in London, and have let go of the creative control ever since. "They've just come to me as a writer and said, 'We want to put you in charge of a $200 million company.' And I feel incredibly responsible, because I don't want to be the one who screwed it up for the other people," Peter Morgan recalled.
Claire Foy, who played Anne Boleyn in the BBC miniseries "Wolf Hall," will play the young queen; John Lithgow will play Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Matt Smiths will play as Prince Philip, the Queen's young husband, joining a talent-rich cast list that features Jared Harris as King George VI, Lark Rise to Candleford, actress Victoria Hamilton as the Queen Mother, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary.
"The Crown" will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 4.
