Netflix reveals how coronavirus has affected ‘The Crown’ Season 4
The makers of The Crown have managed to complete filming on the new season.
The fourth season of Netflix’s award-winning period drama series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II began shooting last year.
The Favourite star Olivia Colman took over the lead role from Claire Foy in 2019’s Season 3 and the upcoming episodes will see her bow out from the show.
A number of TV series and movies have suspended production due to the coronavirus pandemic, including the sixth season of Peaky Blinders and the next Fantastic Beasts movie.
There had been speculation about whether the team behind The Crown would continue with Season 4’s shoot.
However, it was reported in Deadline earlier this week that filming was very nearly finished.
The website wrote: “Left Bank Pictures has decided to forge ahead with a final week of filming on season four of the Netflix royal drama, with the production company simply needing to tie-up loose ends on the series.”
We can now confirm that the remaining scenes have been rushed through and completed early.
A Netflix spokesperson told Radio Times yesterday: “The Crown has completed principal photography on season four, having pulled the final shoot date forward by a few days.”
Season 4 was expected to premiere on Netflix towards the end of this year.
The release date may now be pushed back to 2021, however, as a large amount of CGI and audio post-production work remains to be completed.
Cindy Holland, VP, Original Content, Netflix, previously commented: “The first three seasons of The Crown defined an era, and I know the upcoming fourth season will build further on that success.”
She added: “It’s a stunning example of award-winning entertainment, created in the UK and loved by millions of fans around the world.”
Netflix announced in February that Imelda Staunton will replace Colman as the final actress to play the Queen.
The 63-year-old Harry Potter star will be familiar to period drama fans for her recent appearance in the Downton Abbey movie as Lady Maud Bagshaw.
It has also been confirmed that the fifth season of The Crown will be its last.
The Crown is available to buy on DVD on Amazon.