STACK #205 Nov 2021

TV FEATURE

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Emma Corrin as Diana, Princess ofWales

So, what should you expect from the fourth season? There is a definite sense of urgency this time around, and with so many landmark moments to be depicted, the episodes pivot from one historical event to another. It's more pacy compared to the previous seasons – perhaps a deliberate choice, as momentum builds toward climactic events. From Diana and Charles's tumultuous marriage to the latter's affair with Camilla, to the prickly relationship between Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the Queen herself, there are plenty of meaty scenes. The Falklands War is chronicled, the Queen is victim to a home invasion, and dark family secrets are revealed. Suffice to say that series four is a scandalous smorgasbord of drama marked by an ensemble of incredible performances. Coleman and Anderson are the clear standouts. Coleman's Queen, while dignified in her every mannerism, suppresses a weight of personal opinion, giving her character a palpable inner conflict for the viewer to relish. Meanwhile, Anderson's Thatcher is simply chilling, with her portrayal of the resolute and (arguably) ruthless Iron Lady one to both fear and marvel at. Peter Morgan has declared that the next two seasons – featuring the next generation of players (including Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce and Dominic West) – will close the book on The Crown , with the storyline carrying us through to the late nineties. He is quoted as saying: "To be clear, series six will not bring us any close to present day – it will simply enable us to cover the same period in greater detail". While there is comfort to be taken from the integrity of his sentiment, surely SPANISH OUTBACK The episode Terra Nullius in The Crown Season 4 depicts Charles and Diana's 1983 tour of Australia. Show creators wanted to capture the royal couple on the climb of Uluru. Out of respect for the traditional owners of the landmark, the producers decided to recreate the scene entirely using the desert regions around Almeria in Spain, along with a generous slice of VFX magic. In fact, none of Terra Nullius was filmed in Australia; Malaga, Spain became Sydney (with, of course, VFX of the Opera House), and scenes were also shot inside London's Australia House. we're all keen to see how the modern era of the Royals might be depicted. If the tabloid media have taught us anything, it's that the hypothetical future seasons of The Crown might give The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Kardashians a run for their money.

Anticipation precedes the release of season four of The Crown on home entertainment, arriving November 10th. Words Glenn Cochrane I f you missed the boat and haven't caught up with The Crown , then it's never too late to start. Presenting itself as an assuming the cheeky Prince Phillip role and Helena Bonham Carter as the boisterous CANDLE IN THE WIND

• The Crown: Season 4 is out Nov 10

Princess Margaret. Josh O'Connor ( God's Own Country ) plays Prince Charles while Lady Diana is portrayed by Emma Corrin, who bares an uncanny resemblance to the late royal. Furthermore, Gillian Anderson ( The X Files ) assumes the role of Margaret Thatcher, in what could be described as the performance of her career. The show has become a global juggernaut and has topped almost every credible 'must-see' list for the last several years, and with good reason. Although it is very much a melodrama, the series' showrunner Peter Morgan is no stranger to

anthology (of sorts), the cast of the series is interchanged every two seasons to represent the passage of time while facilitating the ageing of characters. Ol' Liz (pardon me, Her Mage) was played with absolute poise by Claire Foy in the first two seasons, with former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith portraying Prince Phillip. The supporting cast included John Lithgow as Winston Churchill, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and Jared Harris as King George VI. Season three and this fourth season have Oscar-winning

Suffice to say that series four is a scandalous smorgasbord of drama marked by an ensemble of incredible performances

actress Olivia Coleman sporting the crown jewels, with Tobias Menzies ( Outlander )

the fictionalised saga of the Royal Family. Having previously written films like The Queen and Frost/Nixon , as well as the celebrated stage show The

Gillian Anderson delivers the performance of her career as Margaret Thatcher

Audience , Morgan has a knack for adapting the Family's true story to the limits of public knowledge, and then filling in the gaps of their private lives with the help of informers and pure imagination. Oh, and on an ironic side note: he also wrote the film Bohemian Rhapsody , about the other Queen.

FURTHER VIEWING

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16 NOVEMBER 2021