The Crown

TV review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
The Crown Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

Exquisite bio-series is complex and compelling.

Netflix Drama 2016
Rate TV

Parents say

age 14+

Based on 19 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 46 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Crown focuses on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, exploring what it means to be a public figure and the tension among politics, power, and personal freedoms. You'll hear words like "Christ's sakes" and "bloody hell," and a few curses like "f--k" and "c--t." Some episodes show nudity (bare breasts and buttocks), some of which is in a tribal context. It features storylines involving romantic entanglements and extramarital affairs, too. Other visuals include graphic surgery scenes with some blood, and characters smoke cigars and cigarettes regularly. Social drinking is frequent, and there are some scenes featuring drunken behavior.

Community Reviews

Jack MacKinnon
Jack MacKinnon Adult
February 14, 2021
age 13+

Brilliant, Great Acting, Entertaining

Violence: 3/5 Animal hunting, guns are fired, we see animals with bullet wound, no excessive blood or gore. Tony and Margaret have an unhappy marriage, resulting in violence. Graphic surgery, lungs in atter etc, not too gory but may pahse squeemish. Charles is mildly abusive towards Diana. Elizabeth through a glass at Phillip out of anger. Charles is bullied at school, noting too physical though. Dead bodies in seaosn 1 durin great smog. Dianas bullemia scenes may be disturbing or triggerung for some. Sex: 4/5 Season 2 episode 7 has graphic sex, breasts and buttocks shown, but room is lowly lit. Implied sex. Andrew talks about a movie he is making, borderlines softcore porn. Images of breasts in season two episode 7. Language: 3/5 Occasional fuck, cunt used twice. Shit used sometimes. Damn, ass. Drugs, Drinking and Smoking: Margaret smokes a lot, leading to health problems, as does King George. Men drink socially, one time a man gets injured when drunk. Margaret is an alcoholic. Winston smokes a lot and drinks quite a bit leading to future health problems. Role Models: 1/5 The Queen cares more for public image than happiness of her family. Charles is a horrible person. Phillip bullies his son. Anne is a great role model though. Margaret Thatcher does bad things putting people at great risk and poverty. The acting in this show is flawless. Netflix doesn't get better with what it has to offer. Gillian Anderson, Emma Corrin, Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Helena Bonham Carter, Josh O Conner and Erin Doharty are just a few of the outstanding performances the show can offer. Must watch.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
5 people found this helpful.
Amanda B.
Amanda B. Adult
December 29, 2017
age 18+

Love the show, hate that Netflix puts soft porn in season 2 episode 7

I've watched all of season 1 which was great and I would say appropriate for kids 13 + I've watched season 2 through episode 7 and I'm afraid to watch now. I was shocked at the sexual scenes they put in, and disgusted that Neflix has to ruin a great show with explicit content. So disappointed as I thought I finally found a "safe" show to watch.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
4 people found this helpful.
See all 19 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Charting the personal life and highly publicized reign of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy), THE CROWN traces her rise from a young, newly married royal in 1947 to one of the most recognizable and iconic rulers in the world, carrying out her duties amid a climate of continual social change and political upheaval.

Is It Any Good?

Netflix's most expensive series to date pays off with a beautifully acted and impeccably designed drama that's also one of its very best -- and not because it's been engineered for binging. Quite the opposite, as each episode is structured to not necessarily blend into the next but to stand satisfyingly on its own, like an artfully wrapped package that's waiting to be opened when you're ready. It's a novel approach for a streaming television series that makes The Crown and its noticeable lack of cliffhangers feel revolutionary compared to some of its peers.

Those looking for an escape, whether from one's daily drudgeries or the uncertainties of modern politics, will likely find The Crown a welcome refuge. But it serves up more than dazzling visual extravagances. It also delivers thoughtful and complex messages about power, corruption, gender, and leadership that, for a period piece, have surprising relevance.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about The Crown's depiction of royal life and the demands of being a public figure. To what extent must those who reign sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of public service? What everyday "luxuries" do royals have to give up that we might take for granted?

  • How does The Crown handle issues of gender, power, and sexism? Is there a double standard when women rise to positions of authority?

  • How does The Crown compare to other streaming series in terms of budget and overall production values? How much is too much to spend on the creation of a television series, and does it pay off for studios willing to spend the cash?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Downton Abbey Poster Image

    Downton Abbey

    Absorbing costume series is perfect watch-together fare.

    age 13+
  • Call the Midwife Poster Image

    Call the Midwife

    Sublime British medical drama with explicit birth scenes.

    age 14+
  • Elizabeth Poster Image

    Elizabeth

    Mature, visceral depiction of a turbulent reign.

    age 16+

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon princess crown
    Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a map and jug
    History
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate