More than two years after The Crown ended its six-season run, Netflix is reportedly opening the royal doors again with The Crown Prequel. The streaming service has made a deal with Left Bank Pictures to create a prequel series that rewinds the clock to the early 1900s.
The new project is said to cover nearly five decades of British history. It will begin with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 and end with Princess Elizabeth’s wedding to Philip Mountbatten in 1947, which is exactly where the original series started. According to insiders, the deal is worth up to £500 million (about $676 million), showing Netflix’s strong commitment to the royal drama franchise that won 24 Emmy Awards.
The Crown Creator Peter Morgan Returns for the Prequel
Peter Morgan, the creator and showrunner of the original series, is expected to come back to lead this new chapter. Morgan had previously shared that while he did not want to move the story closer to present day, he remained interested in going further back in time. He told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, “I cannot imagine any circumstances in which I’d want to go further into the present… but at the same time, I don’t think I’m done with the subject.”
Morgan also explained why going backward makes creative sense. He mentioned that exploring the past gives him the chance to tell stories that connect to modern times without being too direct. “You can find a story in the past and tell that, and it actually be a story about the present but in camouflage,” he said.
Four Kings Will Lead the New Series
The The Crown prequel will focus on the four monarchs who ruled between Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. These are Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, and George VI. Each king brought his own struggles and changes to the royal family.
Edward VII became king after his mother Victoria died in 1901. He had waited nearly 60 years to take the throne and was known for his love of parties, women, and gambling. His reign was short but helped modernize the monarchy after Victoria’s long years of seclusion.
George V took over in 1910 and ruled through World War I. He made a big decision in 1917 to change the royal family’s German name to Windsor because of strong anti-German feelings in Britain during the war. This is why the royal family is still called the House of Windsor today.
Edward VIII became king in January 1936 but left the throne in December of the same year. He chose to give up his crown to marry Wallis Simpson, an American woman who had been divorced twice. The British government and the Church of England refused to accept her as queen, so Edward stepped down. His decision sent shockwaves through the country and changed the line of succession forever.
George VI never expected to be king. He was shy and struggled with a stammer, but he took over after his brother left. He led Britain through World War II and became a symbol of strength during the dark days of the war. His story of overcoming his speech problem was shown in the famous movie The King’s Speech.
Key Events and Dramas the Prequel Will Cover
“Netflix has been locked in negotiations with the company for quite a long time about this spin-off series, but they’ve recently finally managed to seal the deal and come to an agreement.”
— Anonymous source via The Daily Mail
The timeline from 1901 to 1947 was packed with major world events. The prequel will reportedly include both World War I and World War II, showing how the royal family handled the pressure and danger of global conflict. One powerful moment expected to be shown is the bombing of Buckingham Palace during World War II, when King George VI and his wife refused to leave London.
The 1936 abdication crisis will likely be a main storyline. Edward VIII’s decision to give up the throne for love is still one of the most dramatic moments in modern royal history. The series will also show how his younger brother George VI stepped up to take responsibility he never wanted.
Another key event is the establishment of the House of Windsor in 1917. George V made this change to show the royal family’s British identity during the war. The prequel will also cover the deaths of key figures and the rise of the British Empire’s challenges in a changing world.
Which Royal Figures Will Appear
Besides the four kings, the prequel will feature their queens and close family members. Queen Alexandra (wife of Edward VII), Queen Mary (wife of George V and grandmother of Elizabeth II), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (wife of George VI, known later as the Queen Mother) are expected to play major roles.
Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée who changed royal history, will also appear. Her relationship with Edward VIII caused the abdication crisis that shocked the world. The series may also show Alice Keppel, Edward VII’s long-time mistress, who happens to be the great-grandmother of Queen Camilla.
A young Princess Elizabeth will reportedly appear in later episodes, showing her childhood and teenage years before she became queen. The prequel will show her joining the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II and celebrating VE Day in London when the war ended in Europe.
Production and Release Information for Global Audiences
The prequel is still in early development stages as of May 2026. According to sources, casting is expected to begin in 2027, meaning filming would likely happen after that. Peter Morgan has reportedly started writing, but Netflix has not yet made an official public statement confirming all the details.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries, the prequel will stream on Netflix when it is ready. The original The Crown is available now and has been a top show for the platform since it first launched in 2016.
The production team Left Bank Pictures, which made the original series, will produce the prequel as well. The show is expected to run for multiple seasons, just like the original, because the 46-year timeline gives plenty of material to cover.
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How the Prequel Connects to the Original Show
“I might find some way of coming into it from a different way. If you go back in time, you always have that wonderful opportunity for metaphor.”
— Peter Morgan to The Hollywood Reporter
Fans of The Crown will notice how the prequel fills in missing pieces. The original series started with Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947, but characters like the Queen Mother and King George VI appeared only in flashbacks or later seasons. The prequel will show these figures in their younger years, giving viewers a fuller picture of the family dynamics that shaped Elizabeth’s reign.
The prequel will also explain why the royal family operates the way it does. Viewers will see how two world wars, an abdication, and major political shifts made the monarchy adapt to survive. Understanding this time period helps explain the challenges Elizabeth faced when she became queen in 1952.
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