After a backlash from both royals and the government, Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Princess Margaret, the sister of Queen Elizabeth II, now says the show has a “moral responsibility” to tell viewers this is not historical fact.
“It’s not a drama-doc, we’re making a drama,” the actor said in the latest episode of the show’s official podcast , released November 30.
She simultaneously praised the work and research of lead scriptwriter Peter Morgan, who developed the drama series, which has already won numerous prizes, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globes.
As of season four, released on November 15, The Crown has now entered the Thatcher era in the 1980s and deals with the relationship between Princess Diana (Emma Corrin) and Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor).
Charles does not come off well in the show and British media had already reported on a furious response from royals, citing close friends of the prince. Charles himself is said to not be watching the show.
Bonham Carter’s remarks also come after the British Minister for Culture and Media, Oliver Dowden, announced he would write a letter to the US streaming service this week.
“I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact,” he told the Mail on Sunday.
“It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction, so as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that.”
The younger brother of Princess Diana also thinks some clarification is due, and suggested on broadcaster ITV that Netflix insert a note before each episode that not everything in The Crown is real.