Judi Dench slams The Crown's 'crude sensationalism,' calls for Netflix to add disclaimer
Dame Judi Dench is joining in on criticism against The Crown ahead of its new season, calling on Netflix to add a disclaimer noting it's a "fictionalised" depiction of the royal family.
Dench, who played Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love, in a letter to The Times (via CNN) raised concerns about the upcoming fifth season of The Crown and how accurate it will be to history. The season, which premieres in November, is expected to take place in the 1990s and cover events like the divorce of Princess Diana and Prince Charles.
"The closer the drama comes to our present times, the more freely it seems willing to blur the lines between historical accuracy and crude sensationalism," Dench wrote.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Dench went on to say that while many viewers understand The Crown is a "brilliant but fictionalised account of events," she fears "a significant number of viewers, particularly overseas, may take its version of history as being wholly true," so she called for Netflix to add a disclaimer making this clear.
"Given some of the wounding suggestions apparently contained in the new series — that King Charles plotted for his mother to abdicate, for example, or once suggested his mother's parenting was so deficient that she might have deserved a jail sentence — this is both cruelly unjust to the individuals and damaging to the institution they represent," Dench continues.
A report from theTelegraph recently said Buckingham Palace has "moved to protect the reputation" of King Charles as Netflix "prepares to dramatise the 'all out war' of his marriage to Diana" in the new season. Former British prime minister John Major also recently criticized the show to The Mail over a reported "nonsense" scene suggesting Charles plotted to oust the queen. Netflix has defended the series as a "fictional dramatisation."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 21, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - devilish decrees, biblical blunders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 carefully selected cartoons about the Trump-Daniels jury selection process
Cartoons Artists take on a stress-free life, rare peers, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Loire Valley Lodges review: sleep, feast and revive in treetop luxury
The Week Recommends Forest hideaway offers chance to relax and reset in Michelin key-winning comfort
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
TV to watch in March, from 'The Regime' to 'The 3 Body Problem'
The Week Recommends An authoritarian regime run by Kate Winslet, a sci-fi adaptation from the 'Game of Thrones' creators and more
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published