Here they are — Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin — in their biggest scene together in the finale of Season 4:
I've watched Season 4 twice (and the rest of "The Crown" once), and I love this scene. Charles is both horrible and yet — somehow — sympathetic.
"You think we couldn't do that too? Theatrically hug the wretched and dispossessed and cover ourselves in glory all over the front pages?"
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Season 4 might be one of the better examples of "fake but accurate" actually working - at least when it came to Charles and Diana.
The Thatcher stuff was all bollocks. They would veer ever so dangerously toward making her sympathetic, and always end the scene with a line that blew up everything and made sure you knew she was The Devil incarnate again.
The show will never be able to live down the perfection it achieved with Seasons 1 and 2. Margaret may have been too tall but damn they stole her soul and put it on film
What a stupid ass show. Befitting a stupid ass institution. I will never understand people's fascination with the royal family. A bunch of inbred, rich twits playing a strange theatrical role on the taxpayers' dime (or rather the taxpayers' ten pence).
I've heard people compare them favorably to the Kardashians, who supposedly are an example of American royalty. Vulgar, crass, low-brow, etc. At least the Kardashians are earning their money through commercial enterprise and voluntary exchange.
They were both really good.
Charles was played as a doltish, somewhat dim cad...fairly accurate from what I've read about the real Chuck.
The Di actress was distractingly hot. The real Di was cute, but the actress took it up a couple of notches...
The writers really savaged Thatcher but that's what liberals with an agenda do.
I bought Season 1 of the Crown. I'm a sucker for Eileen Atkins who played Queen Mary. I've not bought subsequent seasons -- and I don't do Netflix.
Agree with Joe that Diana on the show was distractingly more attractive than Diana in real life, who was in no way grubby to be sure.
And of course both Charles and Camilla were WAAAAAAY more attractive on the show. What are you going to do, people who would look like them don't make a living having people look at them, to put it as kindly as I can. But in the case of the show, it was another example of "fake but accurate." The viewer had to believe that they really would throw it all away out of love for each other, and if they had, as it were, their naturalistic charisma depicted onscreen, no one would have believed it
Charles is both horrible and yet — somehow — sympathetic.
That tracks with the real guy. Most of the royals strike me as a pack of idiots under a magnifying glass. They're stupid, selfish, arrogant, entitled, tragic, and sympathetic all at once. They live absurd lives under absurd scrutiny. They're held to outdated standards. And as people they run the gamut from admirable at times (The Queen) to absolutely reprehensible (Prince Andrew). Good stuff for story telling.
Can’t believe they let white ppl win something.
Why? No Black voters.
Don't forget the globe for Maggie--Gillian Anderson.
The show is full of little triumphs that often get overlooked. The casting of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson could not have been more perfect if it was done by the literal Hand of God.
And you'd never think John Lithgow could have worked as Winston Churchill, but he does and is quite memorable. And Matt Smith as Phillip was a revelation, it made me see his Doctor in a whole new light
It is also interesting/ironic that the Charles actor (O'Conner) really does have the Charles ears...no prosthetics needed.
Born to play the part, as it were...
Season One is worth watching twice, the rest not so much.
I agree with those who are mystified that Britain continues to have royalty. It is much too expensive an anachronism to keep.
Although I will admit that I remember where I was and what I was doing when I learned that Diana had died, just like with JFK decades earlier. And John Lennon.
"The casting of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson could not have been more perfect if it was done by the literal Hand of God."
The young-ish Edward is played by Alex Jennings, a terrific actor.
The end-of-life Edward is Derek Jacobi, who is an absolute chameleon...we loved him in 'Last Tango in Halifax.'
When we watch British TV (mostly crime and mystery shows) we always kid about there being only 10 actors and 10 actresses in all of England.
The same people seem to show up in every show in minor or major roles.
I'll take those couple of minutes as the epitome of the series, and judge it pretty compelling--good acting can do that.
As for Diana Spencer, she was attractive enough but far from beautiful, and an utter airhead.
I can only attribute the Charles-Camilla relationship to True Love.
Narr
And that ain't nothin'
The first season is still my favorite, but they nailed the casting for Prince Charles for these last two seasons.
Who cares. And like the hit piece that Oprah is doing, who cares.
Enough folks that Drudge mad Oprah his lead headline over Trump/CPAC.
I haven't watched the Crown since sometime in season 2, but I'm reminded of the episode where Charles goes to Wales, learns some of the language, and comes to sympathize with the people. When he made his required speech, in Welsh, knowing that his family wouldn't know what he was saying until it was too late, he worked in some statements in favor of Welsh autonomy. Chastising him later, the Queen tells him to keep his opinions to himself because nobody cares what he thinks. About anything.
Charles learned his lesson so well that, in this replay of that scene, the role of Elizabeth is played by Charles and the role of Charles by Diana. Or perhaps he's just angry that he has been broken, but she hasn't.
Joe Smith said...When we watch British TV (mostly crime and mystery shows) we always kid about there being only 10 actors and 10 actresses in all of England.
The same people seem to show up in every show in minor or major roles.
Funny, isn't it? Pretty much any British show, half the cast I already know from some other British show.
They should have remade the dutchess will a better actress than kiera knighley
They should have remade the dutchess will a better actress than kiera knighley
"Funny, isn't it? Pretty much any British show, half the cast I already know from some other British show."
But British actors are so damned good it's hard to complain.
I prefer the British shows because (with few exceptions) the actors look like normal people.
Or, if a woman is particularly beautiful in real life, they 'de-glamorize' her if she's playing the part of an ordinary person. The dramas seem more real his way.
I usually have the IMDB page for any particular episode open on my laptop, so when my wife says, 'Don't we know her from somewhere?' I can look it up.
"They should have remade the dutchess will a better actress than kiera knighley"
???
I don't recall Keira Knightley in the series...maybe in upcoming seasons?
The Crown is one of the best series Netflix ever put out. As for Thatcher, she was portrayed as someone who wasn’t overly impressed with the royal family, which made her a more sympathetic character. I like the scene where Thatcher and her husband have finally had enough and chose to leave Balmoral early, leaving the royal family puzzled and chuckling.
The movie about the dutchess of devonshire.
"The movie about the dutchess of devonshire."
Got it...was focusing on 'The Crown' and various actors and missed the point.
Or, if a woman is particularly beautiful in real life, they 'de-glamorize' her if she's playing the part of an ordinary person. The dramas seem more real his way.
British actresses allow themselves to age, even the beauties. And in their maturity they still find rôles to play.
"British actresses allow themselves to age, even the beauties. And in their maturity they still find rôles to play."
If 'Vera' were ever re-made in the U.S., the lead would go to Sharon Stone : )
Politics is downstream from culture.
The masses will watch this and believe Margaret Thatcher was a bad person and a bad leader.
This is a tragedy, historically inaccurate, and morally insidious.
I don’t see a good solution. Most people in the arts\theatrical fields are not systemic thinkers and don’t see the damage that they do by injecting their infantile and tribally oriented politics into a series like this.
Don't forget the globe for Maggie--Gillian Anderson.
I found Gillian Anderson unwatchable - super-scene chewing.
The same people seem to show up in every show in minor or major roles.
3/1/21, 11:16 AM
The same with Korean shows. I think it's easier for this to happen there because so many of the TV shows are limited series. They are planned for (usually) between a dozen and twenty-ish episodes and the show is done. No going on for season after season after season.
Lady T or Argie torturers?
Narr
Quien es mas macho?
"You think we couldn't do that too? Theatrically hug the wretched and dispossessed and cover ourselves in glory all over the front pages?"
Or we can helicopter in for a speech about how those people need to use less carbon based energy.
Much less icky, don't you know.
I've thoroughly enjoyed "The Crown". I started watching it with Season 4, went back and watched the first three seasons, and then watched all four seasons again. It has great acting, amazing production values, and compelling story lines, but I'm also old enough to know the difference between the history and the embellishment.
If you enjoyed Season 4, then I think you'll find this two-minute spoof by Kieran Hodgson of "Bad TV Impressions" hilarious. https://youtu.be/uZUsuVIe8O0
I thought the portrayal of Margaret Thatcher was very unfair and must have been inaccurate. Could not watch any further after that became clear to me.
ALL HOLLYWOOD AWARDS ARE BOGUS. ALL. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE POLITICS AND WOKENESS.
THAT IS ALL.
Someone explain to me how we could go through the entire Thatcher era without a mention of Ronald Reagan. And while you're at it, how did Obama get away with sending exactly ZERO people to Thatcher's funeral.
In other news, John McCain is still dead ... but his funeral lingers.
I have had my whole career and have been retired since 2014, and Charles is still waiting to get the job. His mother may make the century mark, as her mother did. His father may be checking out as we speak, but he is three months from 100.
readering: "Enough folks that Drudge mad Oprah his lead headline over Trump/CPAC."
LOLOLOL
Even though he/she/xe has been informed of this many times over, readering still pretends to not know Drudge sold out to left wing interests in the summer of 2019.
Its really rather amusing.
Next up for readering-ish "breaking news": Walter Cronkite declares the Vietnam War unwinnable!
Yeah. Charles is currently 72. His mum is 94. If she lives another 6 years to 100, Charles will be 78 at the youngest when he finally ascends the throne. So I guess he'll enjoy being king for a few years as an old man, assuming there's that much enjoyment to be had in that station, after waiting his whole life as heir apparent.
"In other news, John McCain is still dead.."
Well, both McCain and Generalissimo Francisco Franco.
Though the McCain abject and absolute hatred for republicans and conservatives also still lingers.
I like The Crown. Every season has had its strong points and its weak points.
I liked Diana when she was alive & felt that she hugged “the wretched and dispossessed” because she was missing the touch of other human beings who felt grateful for her touch. Just my opinion .
I do not like Charles and have not liked him at any time in his life. I feel to this day he truly is wondering why his mom doesn’t just give up the throne so he has a chance at it. I think she knows in her heart how awful he would be.
I am a little surprised at how decent the creators/writers have been to Camilla.
Blogger Joe Smith said...But British actors are so damned good it's hard to complain.
I prefer the British shows because (with few exceptions) the actors look like normal people.
Agreed—the only American show like that is The Office—whose cast looks like they could be working in an office. Even the office beauty is just normal person attractive. As opposed to Shameless, another British show with an American make-over, but the American version ruins it by making them all stupidly good looking.
Funny, isn't it? Pretty much any British show, half the cast I already know from some other British show.
Case in point, this show.
I haven't watch the "The Crown" but clicked on Althouse's link and instantly recognized 'Charles'.
I've just finished watching a marvelous four season Masterpiece Theater series, "The Durrells in Corfu (now available for free on Amazon Prime) where Josh O’Connor plays the oldest brother, Larry Durrell, in a [semi] true story of an eccentric British family that ups and leaves for the Greek Island of Corfu in the late 30s. Totally charming and you will fall in love with all the characters.
I can see Althouse squealing at the attitude and antics of 19 year old Margo.
I've only watched the first season. I'm only interested in the royals thru other people's interest in them. By myself I can't.
If you like British TV series, try the new "All Creatures Great and Small". The actor who in "Corfu" played the brother of the actor who plays "Charles" in the "Crown" plays Tristan Farnon in the new CG&S. The Brits may have a crazy government, but they have a great stable of actors.
I remember when the Golden Globes used to be kind of apolitical compared to the Oscars, and then they have it hosted by those two political harpies. They don’t even care if it pays off, pleasing China is far more important than their ratings.
The television audience for Hollywood's virtual Golden Globes ceremony on Sunday fell sharply from last year's event, with preliminary estimates on Monday indicating that about 60 per cent fewer viewers tuned in to the widely panned award show. Ratings data reported on Monday by The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline showed that only about 5.4 million Americans watched the three-hour telecast on the NBC network.[SNIP] In 2020, 18.3 million Americans, the smallest audience in eight years, watched the Golden Globes ceremony on television, according to final Nielsen data.
Seems like the Golden Globes is going for the Drudge Report’s more selective appeal.
This show is like The Taming of the Shrew. Camilla is like Bianca (quiet and virtuous and the epitome of the good English wife). Diana is like Katharina (rough and outspoken). And Charles is like Petruchio who married Kate for social gain. Petruchio believed that women can be shaped and formed to their husband's will. Petruchio successfully "tamed" Katharina. Kate would eventually declare that women are “bound to serve, love, and obey” their husbands. So that's one for the boys. But Charles can't tame Diana! Diana refuses to be the obedient wife.
Sorry, too much shouting.
Shouting doesn't equal good acting.
When I was a teenager I thought Charles was an utter twit, going about talking to his trees, ineffectually attempting to meddle in politics, cheating on his wife. He has grown on me, though, probably in large part because one of the causes he's championed -- making architecture beautiful again -- is one I support, and he's actually doing something about it rather than just making snide remarks online about variously hideous, brutal, and risible works of modern architecture, which is all I do. I am also sympathetic to stuff like his "campaign for wool" -- not sure how much impact it has practically, but it's been part of a voluntary industry shift towards sustainability, traceability, etc., and as a regular consumer of wool, I like having more visibility into the supply chain that got the wool from a sheep into my clothes.
Even his infidelity with his current wife is, in its way, less egregious than the sort of infidelity you see with powerful men in the United States, where the usual pattern is a middle aged man cheating with a much younger woman. The future Duchess of Cornwall was neither young nor particularly attractive, but it seems he's been devoted to her all along nevertheless. He may be a cad, but his caddishness is less extreme than, say, Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales. Or friend-of-Epstein Prince Andrew for that matter.
British actors have always been better. One reason people used to get so hysterical about Brando was because he was the only USA actor who could compete with the Irish and the Brits. they had Burton, Olivier, Geilgud, Michael Redgrave, O'Toole, Harris, etc.
We had Brando.
I liked the first season of The Crown. Not too sure, I'll stay for charles and Diana. My wife can tell me about it.
I haven't watched it because I have an ethical objection to fictional negative portrayals of actual people.
However, that scene was excellently written and acted. Impressive! (And TV is so rarely impressive.)
If, as has been suggested, Diana truly was a borderline personality disordered princess, then Charles might get a smidge of sympathy from me. However, if he treated her the way it's been reported that he did, he certainly added to and triggered the chaos.
Claire Foy had a star making turn the first two seasons of The Crown, but her career has not subsequently caught fire. Maybe the same will be true of the girl who plays Di, but she's off to a good start....Some actors are stars but only in situ but their star power doesn't metastasize in other roles.. That was true of many of the actors in Game of Thrones.....A fair number of the best performances on both The Crown and Downton Abbey were by actors of undistinguished Irish descent. They've got the Liza Doolittle thing working when they play English aristocrats.....I watched The Crown with enjoyment. It was well written and acted. I've never taken much interest in the British Royal Family, but, over the years, they've served as muses to any number of great writers and fodder for any number of great English actors.
Shakespeare wasn't all that fair to the Plantagenets, and he buried or completely ignored the lede in many of their stories. He was quite tactful when it came to the Tudors. The goal then wasn't speaking truth to power but in keeping head on shoulders.....Claire Foy was good as Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall, but far better in The Crown. Maybe that will be the high point of her career. I don't think Helen Mirren ever topped Prime Suspect.
The Crown made Charles a sympathetic figure to me and that's after disliking "him" or "him as seen through the news" for my whole life. Although if I say "that's acting, give him a prize," aren't I saying that the news was right all along in the way it pictured Charles? Oh, I'll never know who he is and was and it doesn't much matter. Maybe there is no Charles and he was completely made up to sell papers and, now, TV series.
I'm no theatre historian, but the old argument for the supposed superiority of Brit actors is that the great stage acting schools and traditions never died, nor were they imported as here; the tight little island and even tighter little London town vs brash bright Broadway and sunny Hollywood reaching masses whose tastes and needs weren't served by the Old World standards in entertainment.
It's a theory, anyway.
Narr
Did you know there are fascist symbols at the very heart of the US Congress?
Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grannies - I never watch them because the people who are congratulating themselves onstage hate me and want to stick their grubby fingers in my eye.
I wouldn't dare watch that garbage.
I didn't see the Diana season, but I did find myself feeling more sympathy with Charles in the third season than I would have expected. Yes, Charles is horrible, but you get to understand how he felt.
I didn't realize he was the actor from The Durrells. Charles and Lawrence Durrell had a lot in common, but Durrell was comic and without the pathos. All of the Durrell kids turned out to be horrible or miserable in real life, so perhaps the family's experiment isn't something the rest of us should follow.
Anyway, it's good that Hollywood is dying and nobody cares.
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