The Crown season 3

I binged watched Season 1 and 2 of the crown in a couple of days. Couldn’t get enough of it and was quite sad when the last scene played out. Some of the episodes were so riveting that I watched them more than once before moving on to Season 3.

I read that the cast would change to reflect the older age of the characters, and although I thought the casting for the first two seasons was impeccable, I was so vested in the character’s fates that I went into the new series with an open mind and a bit of excitement.

Sadly, the moment I got my first glimpse of the supposedly one year older queen, I knew I was in for a huge letdown.

Claire Foy did such a wonderful job with the role of Queen Elizabeth that it would have been very difficult for anyone, no matter how high their caliber, to replace her. Installing an actress that appeared at least 20 years older than the previous one when only one year had passed according to the date provided made that task an utter impossibility.

The same holds true, although to a lesser extent, to the other main characters on the show. The obvious vast age difference as well as their appearance bearing no resemblance whatsoever to their predecessors made it feel as though I was watching a different show altogether, and it was one that held little interest for me.

Claire Foy’s Elizabeth had completely different mannerisms than Olivia Coleman. The former actress relayed so much through her lovely blue eyes and the latter’s appeared vacant. No comparison.

I read somewhere that Coleman at first was attempting to play her scenes as Foy would have but then abandoned that idea. Big mistake as Elizabeth’s character was set by the first actress and Coleman’s reactions in many scenes in season three and four were in direct opposition to established choices.

Why did Netflix have to ruin such a good thing? They could have aged the characters in three and four with makeup and then come back in season five, which I think is going to be the last one now, with the Queen and Phillip in there Senior years, perhaps bringing them to the present with an older cast. Hopefully, one that would have some resemblance to the former actors.

I sat through a few episodes in season 3 and another handful in season 4 after reading the episode recaps. When I did, I found myself picturing the original actors in the scenes I was watching and knowing how much better they would have been.

I hate to say this because the acting in the later two seasons was not subpar. In fact many of the performances were excellent, but it was still like watching different characters than those I had invested in. Having said that, I think the only actor that came close to being able to portray his predecessor in appearance and style was Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip. Then again, I am one of his fans and feel he can do no wrong in any role.

So, I will rewatch season 1 and 2 until I’ve had my fill of the monarchy and then move on to something else with fond memories from one of the best series I have found in the last few years.

How I wish Netflix would have done this story right. It would’ve been extraordinary TV.