Queen: Life changed ‘enormously’ after family deaths says expert
Oscar winning actress Olivia Colman is stepping down from her role on Netflix’s historical drama, where she will be replaced by Imelda Staunton for the final two seasons. She has won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Drama, despite saying she found it tough portraying someone so different. But royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams was unimpressed by the former Peep Show actress’ portrayal.
He wrote on Twitter: “She plays the Queen in @NetflixTheCrown as cold, callous & duplicitous with a chirpy laugh.
“No dignity! A bad piece of miscasting.”
Olivia was recently asked whether she has given Imelda Stauntion any tips on how portray Her Majesty.
She told Radio Times: “I haven’t spoken to Imelda and I wouldn’t dare offer any advice about playing the Queen.
The Queen’s portrayal in the Crown on Netflix has been branded “callous” (Image: GETTY)
“Imelda is extraordinary and she’s going to do it all much better than me.
“I can’t wait to watch what she does.”
She added: “The Queen is as strong as steel, which I think is extraordinary.
“She’s a superhuman, which is very far removed from me. Staying in her stoic mindset was always a challenge because I’m very emotional and I cry a lot.
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Olivia Colman has been criticised over her role as the Queen (Image: GETTY)
“Whenever anyone says anything sad, I burst into tears. If I see a picture of a puppy, I’ll burst into tears.
“I feel like the Queen might naturally want to do that, but she’s not allowed to, so I wasn’t.”
The Crown season four also recently found itself at the centre of controversy.
The UK’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said The Crown should come with a disclaimer declaring it a work of fiction.
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Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, also hinted there should be a disclaimer added.
He previously told ITV’s Lorraine: “I think it would help The Crown an enormous amount if, at the beginning of each episode, it stated that: “This isn’t true but it is based around some real events”.
“I worry people do think that this is gospel and that’s unfair.”
However, Netflix stated it sees “no need” to add a message to the series.
Netflix’s The Crown portrays royal women from over the last century (Image: EXPRESS)
Emma Corrin, who played Diana, also dismissed having the disclaimer.
She told Variety for their iHeart Radio podcast The Big Ticket: “It is very clearly a dramatised version of events.”
Josh O’Connor, who played Prince Charles, added it was “outrageous” for Mr Downden to say this.
He told the Los Angeles Times’ The Envelope podcast: “We were slightly let down by our culture secretary, whose job it is to encourage culture.
The Queen’s life is depicted in the popular Netflix show (Image: GETTY)
“In my opinion, it’s pretty outrageous that he came out and said what he said. Particularly in this time when he knows that the arts are struggling and they’re on their knees, I think it’s a bit of a low blow.”
The actor, 30, said viewers are aware The Crown is a work of fiction.
He said: “My personal view is that audiences understand.
“You have to show them the respect and understand that they’re intelligent enough to see it for what it is, which is pure fiction.”
