Entertainment
The Crown theft during season 5 filming ‘almost resulted in murder investigation’-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
It was reported that £150,000 worth of valuables had been stolen.
Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki star in The Crown season 5 as Charles and Diana (Picture: Keith Bernstein/Netflix)
A theft of props being used during the filming for The Crown season 5 almost resulted in a murder investigation being carried out, it’s been claimed.
In February this year, it was reported that £150,000 worth of valuables had been stolen from the Netflix drama, with South Yorkshire Police revealing that three vehicles containing props used in TV and film were broken into in Doncaster.
It was claimed at the time that 200 objects were taken, including an expensive replica of a Russian Fabergé Egg purchased by King George V and Queen Mary, jewellery, a grandfather clock, silverware, and a candelabra.
In a new interview, set decorator Alison Harvey spoke out about the incident, saying that the theft was a ‘shame’ because ‘it was some of the loveliest antiques that we could actually get our hands on because we were trying to recreate the Russian Imperial family and the wealth of ancient Russia’.
‘So there was quite a lot lost, which was very sad. We just made accommodation in the set for what was missing and it was sort of fine, but it was a sad moment.’
She added to Variety: ‘I think the most amusing bit was the police were treating it as a murder enquiry because one of the dummies, the prosthetics, was floating face down in the river next to where the theft had been, so they immediately thought “We’ve got a murder,” but actually it was just a rubber body’ That took a bit of time to work out.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Production designer Martin Childs added that locating the missing antiques was not the police force’s ‘priority’ because they apparently believed they ‘had a murder to investigate’.
Alison explained that the dummy in question was worth around £13,000 and must have been ‘alarming’ for the police because it looked so much like a real dead body.
Meanwhile, ‘none’ of the stolen props have been found, she revealed.
Elizabeth Debicki, who stars as Princess Diana in the new season of The Crown, recently spoke out against the backlash to the drama, stressing that the tale is ‘clearly fictional’.
Imelda Staunton stars as the late Queen Elizabeth II, with Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip (Picture: Netflix)
‘I understand what the show is and what it’s trying to do,’ she said.
‘I also understand the reaction to it. I think this is a period of time that’s been told many times over and will continue to be told, and I know the degree of care and respect people enter into these stories with.’
Netflix declined to comment when contacted by Metro.co.uk.
The Crown season 5 premieres on Wednesday November 9 on Netflix.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : The Crown’s Sir Jonathan Pryce says Prince Philip wasn’t a racist but a ‘product of his time’
Entertainment – MetroRead More
