Three Dames of the British Empire who appeared in The Crown have recommended Netflix should include an onscreen disclaimer stating that the royal drama’s dramatic plots are fiction rather than historical reality.
Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Harriet Walter, and Dame Janet Suzman, who were awarded DBEs for their contributions to drama, are the latest famous personalities to urge the US streaming behemoth to take action.
Sir John Major referred to The Crown as “a barrel of nasty nonsense” in last week’s edition of this publication. And only recently, Dame Judi Dench referred to it as “crude sensationalism” and encouraged Netflix to include a disclaimer.
Last night, Dame Eileen, who portrayed Queen Mary in the original series, stated, ‘My American friends tell me that many Americans believe it to be a documentary. Typically, if you are discussing real persons, you will state that the story is based on actual events. I have no idea why this has not occurred with this.’
Dame Harriet, who portrayed Sir Winston Churchill’s wife Clementine, stated, “People have believed Shakespeare’s depiction of Richard III for generations, but no one is alive to dispute it.” In contrast, there are numerous living individuals who may be harmed if they believed the public might believe this.
This publication has spearheaded the fight for Netflix to acknowledge its responsibility to act.
In series four, Dame Janet, who portrayed a literary agency, stated, “This is obviously fiction, and people must be aware.”
Jemima Khan, who worked on the show until severing connections with it last year due to its portrayal of her friend Princess Diana, stated, “All episodes should contain a disclaimer.”
Last Monday, Netflix issued a new trailer alongside an online statement confirming that the drama is a “fictional dramatization.”
However, it has declined to add a comparable message on television.
The new series, which will focus on the premiership of John Major and the split between Prince Charles and Diana, is expected to be the most controversial to yet. It contains fictitious sequences, such as Charles petitioning Major for his mother’s abdication, causing Sir John to make a rare public statement last week.
The request for a disclaimer has been supported by prominent figures in British drama. Sir Patrick Stewart told the Minister of State, “Dame Judi’s remarks are spot on.” And Jenny Agutter stated, ‘It is essential that viewers are aware they are viewing a fictionalized depiction of the lives of real people.’
Dame Penelope Wilton, an actress from Downton Abbey, stated, “Rumor and innuendo only cause anguish, and there is enough of that at the time.”
If this series was done about any other family, there would be a libel suit, according to Felicity Kendal.
And historian Lady Antonia Fraser stated, ‘I firmly believe there is a difference between history and fiction. It ought not to be hazy. Netflix should inform viewers at the beginning of each episode that the content is fictional. They can then continue with their really entertaining [fictional] series.’