The essential episodes of The Crown
Watch these 15 in order and you've got The Crown — each pick states its reason.
- 01
A young Princess Elizabeth marries Prince Philip. As King George VI's health worsens, Winston Churchill is elected prime minister for the second time.
- 02
With Elizabeth in new role, Philip tries to assert some power. Churchill wants to delay the coronation. King George's disgraced brother arrives.
- 03
As tensions with Philip increase, Elizabeth spends time with her old friend Porchey. Churchill's portrait is painted for his 80th birthday.
- 04
After Elizabeth makes a tone-deaf speech at a Jaguar factory, she and the monarchy come under public attack by an outspoken lord.
- 05
A secret World War II document opens Elizabeth's eyes to grim realities about a family member. The Duke of Windsor campaigns to re-enter public life.
- 06
A letter from Peter Townsend spurs Margaret to make a bold proposal. Elizabeth has good news that causes complications for Margaret.
- 07
Inspired by Jackie Kennedy and against her government's wishes, Elizabeth takes an unconventional approach to resolving an issue with Ghana.
- 08
Philip insists that Prince Charles attend his alma mater in Scotland and reminisces about the life-changing difficulties he experienced there.
- 09
With Britain in need of a financial bailout from the U.S., Elizabeth reluctantly enlists Margaret to assist in winning over President Johnson.
- 10
Following a tragic accident at a Welsh mining village that quickly becomes political, both Elizabeth and Wilson struggle with their responses.
- 11
Amid rising Welsh nationalism in the run-up to his investiture as Prince of Wales, Charles is sent to spend a semester there and learn the language.
- 12
As Thatcher's policies create rising unemployment, a desperate man breaks into the palace, where he finds Elizabeth's bedroom and awakens her for a talk.
- 13
On a tour of Australia, Diana struggles to balance motherhood with her royal duties while both she and Charles cope with their marriage difficulties.
- 14
In 1946, an Egyptian street vendor finds inspiration in the abdicated King Edward. Years later, he eagerly tries to integrate into British High Society.
- 15
The Queen gives Charles the green light to wed Camilla. Tasked with planning her own funeral ahead of her 80th birthday, she faces an existential crisis.
Shows like The Crown
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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Shōgun is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. - 02Drama·History·ActionThe essential episodes of Vikings2013–2021·History
Vikings transports us to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore - and raid - the distant shores across the ocean. - 03Drama·History·RomanceThe essential episodes of Reign2013–2017·The CW
Hidden between the lines of the history books is the story of Mary Stuart, the young woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots. - 04Drama·History·CrimeThe essential episodes of Peaky Blinders2013–present·BBC OneAn epic gangster drama set in the lawless streets of 1920s Birmingham.
- 05Drama·History·ActionThe essential episodes of The Last Kingdom2015–2023The Last Kingdom is a show of heroic deeds and epic battles but with a thematic depth that embraces politics, religion, warfare, courage, love, loyalty and our universal search for identity.
- 06Drama·History·WarThe essential episodes of SAS: Rogue Heroes2022–present·BBC iPlayer
Who dares wins. The adrenaline-fuelled origins of the fearless, reckless Special Forces unit, its legend forged among the mayhem of WWII.
