U.S. streaming platform Netflix has rejected a call from Britain’s culture minister to add disclaimers at the start of episodes of its hit series “The Crown” to make clear that it is a work of fiction, several British media groups reported on Sunday.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is among several prominent figures in Britain who have argued that the scripted series, in which actors play members of the royal family, risked giving viewers a wrong and damaging impression of the royals.
A government source said Dowden had written to the company saying the series was “a beautifully produced and acted drama but Netflix should be very clear it is a work of fiction.”
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Netflix did not immediately respond to an email from Reuters requesting comment.
“We have always presented ‘The Crown’ as a drama – and we have every confidence our members understand it’s a work of fiction that’s broadly based on historical events,” the company was quoted as saying in the UK media reports.
“As a result we have no plans – and see no need – to add a disclaimer.”
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While many British viewers have enjoyed watching “The Crown”, the most recent season has attracted criticism from some commentators over scenes suggesting that the late Princess Diana was treated coldly, even cruelly, by senior royals.
Columnist Simon Jenkins of the Guardian newspaper accused the fourth season of having “upped the fabrication and the offence”.
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Arguing that modern history was “too close to what should be sacred ground – bearing witness to passing events”, he wrote that artistic licence could not justify fabrications that showed living or recently dead people in the worst possible light.
Duke of Cambridge not too pleased with the show either
Prince William, Diana’s eldest son is not flattered with the portrayal of his parents in the latest season of the Crown. According to ‘palace resources’, the Duke feels as if both of his parents are being exploited and shown in a negative light just to make money.
Season 4 of the Crown is said to be the worst one by far, nonetheless the most popular. The royals would have to brace themselves as the producer of the show, Peter Morgan prepares for a season 6 of the show, that means more of the royal secrets exposed. Previously it was announced that season 5 was going to be the last.
Online Int’l News with additional input by GVS News Desk