There\u2019s a point in the first episode of The Crown<\/a> season 5 where I started to wonder, \u201cIs this going to work?\u201d<\/p>\n I have to confess, it\u2019s a question I had going into the third season too. In changing up its entire cast every two seasons, The Crown is tangled with a form of constant regeneration which would make even The Doctor gawp.<\/p>\n However, as with Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies\u2019s iteration of the Netflix<\/a> smash hit, my concerns quickly subsided. This is every bit the addictive, incisive, characterful drama that fans have come to know and love.<\/p>\n The Crown season 5 sees the action enter the 1990s and is set against the backdrop of increasing anti-monarchy sentiment. As Elizabeth starts to face questions as to whether her reign is suffering \u2018Queen Victoria Syndrome\u2019, and if she should step aside for Charles to take the throne, Charles and Diana\u2019s marriage<\/a> growing more tempestuous and hostile by the day.<\/p>\n As in previous seasons, it\u2019s actually in the more contained episodes in which the show really shines. Episode 1 is somewhat clustered, with too much going on at once and not nearly enough focus.<\/p>\n In contrast, an early instalment highlighting duelling and subsequently colliding storylines for Philip and Diana, as well as one dedicated to the life and backstory of Mohammed Al Fayed, are utterly engrossing, getting to the heart of what makes the series so appealing \u2013 rich and exploratory character work.<\/p>\n For this, Peter Morgan and his writing team have to be praised. Each year they manage to tell captivating historical stories, some better known than others, and make each season feel like a cohesive whole despite the cast changes.<\/p>\n When it comes to the new cast<\/a> there is a clear standout \u2013 Elizabeth Debicki. Not only does she get Diana\u2019s mannerisms, speech patterns and look<\/a> down to an uncanny tee, she is also the beating heart of the show, in the same way Emma Corrin filled that role last time around. Episode 2 is particularly heart-wrenching, and it\u2019s in no small part thanks to Debicki\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce and Lesley Manville all similarly excel, with performances which feel like natural progressions of their predecessors\u2019 work. Watching conversations between the Queen and Margaret or Philip feels as though you could be watching any of the actors that played those roles before, so is the sense of continuity in their manner.<\/p>\n It\u2019s Dominic West\u2019s Charles that proves the most difficult transition. West is not helped by the fact Josh O\u2019Connor gave such a knockout performances in seasons 3 and 4, nor by his own fame and back catalogue of distinctly recognisable performances.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not that he\u2019s unbelievable in the role. Far from it, West sells everything he\u2019s given, whether it\u2019s Charles\u2019s more solemn moments or his fiery rows with Diana. It\u2019s just that it\u2019s at first difficult to see him as the man who is now our King.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the most jarring switch-up the show has thrust upon us \u2013 Alex Jennings to Derek Jacobi still holds that crown \u2013 and most viewers will get there as the season continues. He just takes some getting used to.<\/p>\n Of course, most of the talk surrounding this season has revolved around its perceived lack of historical accuracy<\/a>, and the drama\u2019s self-described nature as a \u201cfictional dramatisation\u201d<\/a> that has been \u201cinspired by real events\u201d.<\/p>\n Naturally there would be some extra scrutiny of the show\u2019s creative license with the facts, given that this is the first season to have been released following the Queen\u2019s passing<\/a>. However, for most I imagine the show\u2019s fictional flourishes won\u2019t be an issue.<\/p>\n The suggestion that the royal family are being irreparably slandered by the drama are not borne out. Yes, the season presents the light and shade of every individual involved, but it doesn\u2019t appear to lean any more on the side of fact or fiction than in previous years, nor does it present the royal family with malice.<\/p>\n In fact, it simply does what any dramatisation has ever done when presenting a public individual\u2019s private life \u2013 draws around the edges.<\/p>\n It\u2019s exactly this that has made The Crown such a winning formula over the years, the show\u2019s combination of historical examination and imagined inner workings. The Crown has always been part soap opera \u2013 it\u2019s just set in Buckingham Palace rather than Albert Square.<\/p>\n What this season is slightly lacking in is the political with a capital P. There is plenty of politics on display in the royal household, but while last season saw Gillian Anderson\u2019s Margaret Thatcher dominate over proceedings, Jonny Lee Miller\u2019s John Major is less prominently featured.<\/p>\n This is perhaps unsurprising given the two figures\u2019 real-life personas, but one can\u2019t help notice Anderson\u2019s absence and wait for Bertie Carvel to make his mark as Tony Blair.<\/p> For viewers who have enjoyed The Crown seasons 1 to 4, it is a struggle to imagine many being turned off by this new iteration. It may not have season 4\u2019s riveting central concoction of both Diana and Thatcher, nor season 1 and 2\u2019s somewhat lesser-known moments in history to draw from.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s fair to say that if season 6 once again measures up to this standard, then the king and queen of historical dramas will be bowing out having had quite the reign.<\/p>\n The Crown season 5 will be released on Netflix<\/a> on 9th November 2022 and you can watch seasons 1-4 right now. Sign up for Netflix from \u00a36.99 a month<\/a>. Netflix is also available on\u00a0Sky Glass<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Virgin Media Stream<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the\u00a0best series on Netflix<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0best movies on Netflix<\/a>, or visit our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now \u2013\u00a0subscribe now<\/a>\u00a0and get the next 12 issues for only \u00a31. or more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the\u00a0Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n By James Hibbs Published: Saturday, 05 November 2022 at 12:00 am 4.0 out of 5 star rating There\u2019s a point in the first episode of The Crown season 5 where I started to wonder, \u201cIs this going to work?\u201d I have to confess, it\u2019s a question I had going into the third season too. In […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":25231,"template":"","categories":[1,5],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2022\/11\/the-crown-season-5-review-netflixs-royal-drama-remains-as-addictive-as-ever-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By James Hibbs Published: Saturday, 05 November 2022 at 12:00 am 4.0 out of 5 star rating There\u2019s a point in the first episode of The Crown season 5 where I started to wonder, \u201cIs this going to work?\u201d I have to confess, it\u2019s a question I had going into the third season too. 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