The latest series of The Crown has finally dropped and some fans are ready to binge the entire season in one go.
Although new episodes of the royal drama only landed on Netflix today [November 9], many viewers have already devoured a couple of episodes and are all saying the same thing about the latest offering from the much-talked about show.
Eager fans who woke up bright and early have taken to social media to give their verdict on Elizabeth Debicki's portrayal of Princess Diana and share how they feel about watching the fictional series in the wake of Queen Elizabeth's death in September this year.
Early-watchers also caught a cameo from one of the stars from a previous series of the show, as Claire Foy reprises her role as the late Queen once again for a surprise return to the Netflix series.
Dominic West and the new Lady Di star Elizabeth wowed fans on the red carpet premiere of the Netflix series on Tuesday evening, as the highly-anticipated new series aired for the first time following weeks of controversy.
Dominic, who plays the now-King Charles III (Prince Charles in the show), arrived in a black suit and a bowtie for the event, while Elizabeth had all eyes on her in an eye-catching sleeveless black gown.
The Crown has received a lot of backlash in recent months due to certain storylines featured in the upcoming series, with the series recently forced to include a disclaimer on the latest trailer as the drama intends to showcase the death of Princess Diana.
But the controversy attached to the show hasn't stopped fans tuning in.
"Ignoring all work responsibilities to watch The Crown," one viewer working from home tweeted this morning as the new series finally dropped.
Another quipped: "I wasn't going to watch #TheCrown series 5 but I took a peek and it's so sumptuous (and begins with Clare Foy's young QE2, a clever callback to the magnificence of the early series) that I'm hooked after just a few minutes!"
In the new series of The Crown Imelda Staunton is introduced as the Queen but, thanks to a flashback scene, Claire can also be seen playing the late monarch once again.
The scene shows a black and white snippet from a programme called The Queen in Scotland, documenting the Queen's visit to John Brown's yard on Clydeside in 1953, where she launched HMS Britannia.
In a speech for the ship's launching ceremony, Foy's version of the late Head of State says: "I am delighted to join you in Clydebank today for the launch of this, the latest royal yacht. I hope that this brand-new vessel, like your brand-new queen, will prove to be dependable and constant, capable of weathering any storm. I now take great pride in naming this ship Britannia."
Claire was the first actress to play the Queen during the first two series of The Crown, with Oscar-winner Olivia Colman taking over for the third and fourth seasons before Harry Potter star Imelda's introduction in the new series.
"The transition from 50s claire foy to 90s imelda staunton beautifully captures the passage of time #TheCrown," one viewer declared on social media as the world began to react to the new series of the drama this morning.
Others gave their verdict on Elizabeth's stint as Diana, following the actress taking over the role from My Policeman star Emma Corrin.
"Goodness Elizabeth Debicki’s Diana Spencer is uncanny #TheCrown," one fan stated on Twitter, with another adding: "Can we just slow clap for Elizabeth Debicki, She is killing it as Diana #TheCrown."
A third praised the casting of star, writing: "Honestly, did a double take- #diana Elizabeth Debicki #thecrown #thecrownnetflix."
The latest series of The Crown takes inspiration from the pressure put upon the monarchy as Charles and Diana’s marriage was collapsing and the lead-up to Diana's infamous interview with Martin Bashir in 1995.
Prince William is said to have has made his feelings "very clear" about hit Netflix show featuring the death of his mother Diana and her interview with Martin, according to reports.
Diana's tell-all interview was watched by an estimated 200 million people and became one of the most-talked about moments of the 20th century, but in 2021, a BBC investigation, launched by Diana's brother Earl Charles Spencer, found that Martin commissioned fake bank statements in order to mislead Diana into telling her story.
The future King and Prince Harry issued a joint statement denouncing the Panorama interview in May 2021, saying, "It is my view that the deceitful way the interview was obtained substantially influenced what my mother said. The interview was a major contribution to making my parents' relationship worse and has since hurt countless others."
A source told The Telegraph last month that Prince Williams feels The Crown are using the Bashir interview and the "dramatisation of it for financial gain".
*All series of The Crown are available to stream on Netflix now
