The fifth season of The Crown finally dropped on Netflix on Wednesday, and fans have flocked to the streaming giant to catch up on the latest happenings in the hit royal drama. This latest series takes viewers through a difficult time for the royal family, as the 1990s are rocked by scandal, divorce, and a devastating fire at Windsor Castle.
Making his debut in the series is former Prime Minister Sir John Major, who served in the top job from 1990 to 1997. Played by English actor Jonny Lee Miller, Sir John appears throughout the series, but it is one particular scene in its first episode which has attracted the most controversy.
In it, the Conservative Party leader meets Prince Charles – played by Dominic West – for secret talks to discuss whether Queen Elizabeth II should abdicate the throne. Following a poll in the Sunday Times posing that very question, Charles raises the issue of whether his mother is still fit to serve as monarch, and in doing so makes the case that he should be made King.
READ MORE: Man arrested by cops investigating 'racially-aggravated assault' at Stockport McDonald's
According to The Times, there was a survey on January 21, 1990, in which 47 percent of respondents thought the monarch should abdicate “at some stage.” Despite this, the poll findings were largely pro-monarchy, with 90 percent viewing the Queen – and Charles – “mainly favourably” or “very favourably”.
Despite the poll itself being based on a real poll, it appears the secret talks between the prince and prime minister is purely fictional. Prior to season five’s release, a spokesperson for Sir John gave a statement to The Guardian criticising the show, and insisted the former PM had not “co-operated in any way with The Crown” and had not “been approached by them to fact-check any script material in this or any other series.”
The spokesperson then turned to the particular scene depicting Sir John’s meeting with Charles, saying: “There was never any discussion between Sir John and the then-Prince of Wales about any possible abdication of the late Queen Elizabeth II – nor was such an improbable and improper subject ever raised by the then Prince of Wales (or Sir John).
“Neither Sir John nor Dame Norma [Major’s wife] have discussed the Monarchy remotely in these terms. As you will know, discussions between the Monarch and prime minister are entirely private and – for Sir John – will always remain so.
“They are fiction, pure and simple.”
Sir John’s spokesperson also slammed The Crown as “damaging and malicious fiction,” describing it as “a barrel-load of nonsense peddled for no other reason than to provide maximum – and entirely false – dramatic impact.” A Netflix spokesperson hit back at the claims, insisting the show “has always been presented as a drama based on historical events”.
“Series five is a fictional dramatisation,” they added. “Imagining what could have happened behind closed doors during a significant decade for the royal family – one that has already been scrutinised and well-documented by journalists, biographers and historians.”
There had been calls for Netflix to add a disclaimer at the start of each episode – including from former culture secretary Oliver Dowden and actress Dame Judi Dench – making clear that The Crown is fictional. Despite the controversy, the streaming giant decided against adding any such disclaimer, rather adding one to this season’s trailer.
Written alongside the trailer on YouTube, Netflix says: “Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatisation tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign.”
Criticising the move in a letter to The Telegraph, Sir John said “fiction should not be paraded as fact.” “I gather Netflix continues to refuse to put out a disclaimer at the top of the opening credits, on the basis that ‘everyone knows this is a drama series’,” he continued.
“But this is simply not good enough. If everyone knows, why not acknowledge that?
“Without such action, many millions – around the world – could still be influenced by a damaging and fictional script, which claims ‘authority’ by being interspersed with historical fact. Entertainment is a great and glorious industry that brings enormous pleasure to many millions.
“Netflix should not demean it with portrayals which are both injurious and untrue.”
The Crown season five is available to stream on Netflix now.
READ NEXT:
- Salford lad who directed film slammed for 'vile stereotypes' defends movie as it appears in Netflix's most-watched list
- Bomb squad scrambled following 17-year-old's terrifying hoax - police feared they'd be killed
- The historic church being shaken to its foundations by motorway traffic
- Where to find the cheapest petrol prices in Greater Manchester
- Frustrated councillors claim Greater Manchester is a 'criminal free-for-all' despite improved GMP report
