There are no depths of bad taste that writer Peter Morgan does not plumb in the new ten-part series of The Crown on Netflix.
Divorces, infidelities, the most intimate conversations, the infamous interview with Princess Diana and Martin Bashir, even the death of a five-year-old from cancer – all are exploited for lurid drama.
As the eight-and-a-half hours of new film were made available to journalists last night, under a stringent embargo, the sheer virulence of the storylines became shockingly clear.
Charles, Philip and at times the Queen herself are portrayed with disdain bordering on mockery. A teenage Prince William is also shown in an unflattering light, as slightly dim and sulky, though his younger brother Harry is let off lightly and barely features.
Netflix may well find that, with the international grief and mourning that marked the death of the Queen less than two months ago, viewers’ appetite for royal muck-raking has disappeared.
Insiders at the streaming giant say the mood in the company is already uneasy, with some American executives surprised by the backlash from fans who fear the death of the Princess of Wales will be re-enacted in graphic detail.
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Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales from season five of The Crown, which will air next week
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Bashir is shown meeting Diana in a dimly lit car park and feeding lies to her, urging her to trust no one
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Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales, Dominic West as Charles, Teddy Hawley as Prince Harry and Timothee Sambor as Prince William, from season five of The Crown
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Divorces, infidelities, the most intimate conversations, the infamous interview with Princess Diana and Martin Bashir, even the death of a five-year-old from cancer – all are exploited for lurid drama. Pictured: The recreation from the series
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Olivia Williams as Camilla and Dominic West as Charles, from season five of The Crown
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Diana pictured during her Panorama interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC in November 1995
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A teenage Prince William is also shown in an unflattering light, as slightly dim and sulky, though his younger brother Harry is let off lightly and barely features
