The Crown rockets up Netflix chart after Queen Elizabeth II death as fans binge controversial drama-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

The Crown has experienced a rise in popularity after the death of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch (Picture: Alex Bailey / Netflix via AP)

Popular Netflix royal drama The Crown has made its way back into the top 10 most watched series on the streaming service following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the queen had died shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday, September 8, at her Balmoral estate as celebrities and politicians around the world paid tribute to the monarch.

Shortly after the announcement, the show experienced a surge in popularity in different regions, including here in the UK.

According to data collected by FlixPatrol, as of Sunday, September 11, The Crown was trending at number three in the UK’s most watched, while nabbing the top spot in Ukraine.

Shortly after Her Majesty’s death was announced, showrunners confirmed that production for The Crown’s sixth and final series would be suspended as ‘a mark of respect’ for her passing.

‘Filming will also be suspended on the day of Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral,’ a Netflix spokesperson confirmed to Metro.co.uk.

The Queen passed away last week after a momentous 70-year reign (Picture: WPA Pool / Getty Images)

King Charles III has now ascended to the throne as Britain’s monarch (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Rehearsals have begun in London for the moving of The Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall (Picture: REUTERS)

Production resumed the following day, with crew and cast members spotted filming on location at The Savoy Hotel in London.

The Netflix series dramatises the life and reign of the Queen, with Imelda Staunton due to take over from Olivia Colman in the role of the monarch for the next series.

Though series five has not yet been released, preparations for the final series of the award-winning show is well underway.

The Crown’s sixth and final series is expected to cover the late 1990s through to the 2000s.

The series will focus on the Queen’s dealings with PM Tony Blair, as well as the beginning of a new royal romance.

Jonathan Pryce will star alongside Imelda in the role of Prince Philip.

Elizabeth Debicki will take on the role of Princess Diana from Emma Corin, who played the beloved royal in the fourth series, with Dominic West also set to star as King Charles III, previously played by Josh O’Connor.

Oscar-nominated Lesley Manville is set to portray Princess Margaret, taking over from Helena Bonham Carter.

Imelda Staunton will take over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Olivia Colman (Picture: Liam Daniel / Netflix)

A Netflix casting call last year revealed that the roles of teenage Prince William, Prince Harry, and Kate Middleton were being cast for the final season.

Meg Bellamy will make her acting debut as The Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall, while two actors will portray Price William in the sixth series – Ed McVey and Rufus Kampa, also both making their professional screen debuts.

Though an exact release date for the series has not been announced, it is expected to be available around November 2023, while the fifth series of The Crown could arrive in November this year.

The Crown is available to stream on Netflix now.

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