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It turns out that Netflix has its own version of Operation London Bridge, too.
The streamer is well into production on the fifth season of The Crown, but news of the Queen’s death seems likely to result in a respectful pause in filming.
‘The Crown is a love letter to [the Queen],’ said showrunner Peter Morgan in a statement, ‘and I’ve nothing to add for now, just silence and respect. I expect we will stop filming out of respect too.’
Stephen Daldry, who directed episodes in seasons 1 and 2 on The Crown, has previously hinted at the contingency plan in place. ‘None of us know when that time will come but it would be right and proper to show respect to the Queen,’ noted Daldry back in 2016. ‘It would be a simple tribute and a mark of respect. She’s a global figure and it’s what we should do.’
Netflix has November 2022 earmarked as The Crown season 5’s release date, the show’s usual launch month, but there’s no word yet on whether the likely production pause will impact that.
With a first trailer due to drop as soon as later this month, it remains to be seen whether a filming hiatus would impact the series’s planned launch date.
What we do know is that season 5 will span the early-to-mid 1990s and introduce Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, in place of the outgoing Olivia Colman.
The new series also has Tenet’s Elizabeth Debicki replacing Emma Corrin as Diana, and Dominic West playing Prince Charles in place of Josh O’Connor. Olivia Williams will be the new Camilla Parker Bowles.
What happens when Queen dies?
Everything you need to know about The Crown season 5.