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As Downton draws to an end Her Majesty may become our next obsession

Here’s some good news for you if you are feeling bittersweet about the sixth and final series of Downton Abbey. Our beloved period drama about the lives of the Crawleys may be at a close, leaving us wondering how we’ll fill the void but a new TV show about the royal family may be about to cheer us up.

The royal wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip was watched by 2,000 invited guests and broadcast to millions across the world, and we can relive that day by watching a new drama.

The Netfix extravaganza has everything it takes to get us hooked.  There were actors in 1940s costumes in the streets Ely in Cambridgeshire and the streets were brought to a standstill as the royal event from November 20, 1947, was recreated for the new show The Crown, which stars Wolf Hall actress Claire Foy and former Doctor Who Matt Smith.

Every detail was brought to life including a replica Irish State Coach and newspaper photographers. One of the biggest strs of the show has to be a copy of the Norman Hartnell-designed dress, a duchesse satin bridal gown with motifs of star lilies and orange blossoms. It had been arranged to make the occasion look as authentic as possible.

Queen Elizabeth, played by Foy, was seen stepping out of a gold horse-drawn carriage and entering Ely Cathedral, which is standing in for Westminster Abbey in the 10-episode series.

Her Majesty’s wedding in 1947 was presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury and broadcast by BBC radio to more than 200 million people globally.

We are really excited about the drama, which is due to be aired next year, is inspired by the stage play, The Audience by Peter Morgan, which starred Helen Mirren as The Queen. It could be possible that it makes the looming end of Downton a little easier for us to accept. There is nothing quite like a really great period drama to look forward to.

According to Netflix, the show “Tells the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world – Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street – and the intrigues, love lives and machinations behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.”

The series is expected to focus on the Queen’s coronation and relationships.

Will you watch and do you think it can ever replace Downton?

 

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