Britain’s first female prime minister introduces herself to Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) in the trailer for “The Crown’s” upcoming fourth season. “Your Majesty, I think we have enough respect for one another personally to ask ourselves some of the bigger questions, woman to woman,” says Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson). Even as she pays the Queen a compliment, Thatcher’s message implies she knows there will be tough times during her time at 10 Downing Street.
And there will be: recession, job cuts, and widespread protests, not to mention run-of-the-mill sexism. “Two women running the shop,” Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies) says disdainfully, “that’s the last thing this country needs.” “Perhaps that’s precisely what this country needs,” the Queen disagrees.
Season 4 brings another new woman into the royal family’s life: Princess Diana (Emma Corrin). She enters the picture when the family begins pressuring Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) to marry and secure the line of succession. “Your duty now is the choice of a woman the people will love as a princess and in due course, as Queen,” he is told.
Even though the public adores her, the spot hints of the tensions that will grow between the princess and the rest of the monarchy. As she dances and roller-skates around the palace, her in-laws wonder when she’ll finally “give up her fight and bend.” “How many times can this family make the same mistake, paying the consequences each time?” Princess Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter) asks.
A six-season portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, from the ’40s to the present, “The Crown” has won 10 Emmys. Claire Foy played the monarch in Seasons 1 and 2, and Imelda Staunton will take on the role in Seasons 5 and 6.
“The Crown” Season 4 bows November 15 on Netflix.
