BUNKER BUSTER: What was the most expensive British television show ever produced?

What was the most expensive British television show ever produced?

The Crown is a historical drama television series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II created and principally written by Peter Morgan and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television for Netflix. Morgan developed the series from his film The Queen (2006) and his stage play The Audience (2013), which also focused on Elizabeth. The principal cast of the series has been changed every two seasons. Elizabeth was played by Claire Foy in the first and second seasons, Olivia Colman in the third and fourth and Imelda Staunton in the fifth and sixth.

The series consists of six seasons spanning almost six decades, beginning shortly before the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten in 1947 and ending with the 2005 wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. Filming took place at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood Hertfordshire with location shooting taking place in the United Kingdom and internationally.

The Crown has been praised by critics for its acting, directing, writing, cinematography and production value. However, its historical inaccuracies have been criticized, particularly in the latter half of the series' run.

The Crown’s budget is exceptionally large, estimated to be around $504 million for the show's first five seasons. The show's first season reportedly cost around $130 million, with each season reportedly costing between $50 million and $130 million. The show's creator, Peter Morgan, has stated that the final two seasons were meant to cover the same period in greater detail, which further increased the budget. It has claimed the title of being the most expensive British television show.