This ‘Crown’ Star Doesn’t Think King Charles & Kate Middleton’s Health Issues Should Become Biopic Fodder

In the wake of King Charles and Kate Middleton’s recent cancer diagnoses, the world has been closely watching the British royal family, offering an outpouring of support and concern. Amid this sensitive time, the relationship between the royals and their portrayal in popular media, particularly Netflix’s hit series The Crown, has come under renewed scrutiny. One of the stars, who has a fair share of experience portraying the royal family under her belt, feels like The Crown ended at just the right time for this very reason.

Gillian Anderson, acclaimed for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in Netflix’s The Crown, recently shared her insights on the series’ conclusion. “Oh, no. I think it probably ended at the right spot,” Anderson remarked to Entertainment Tonight, highlighting the series’ careful navigation between historical dramatization and contemporary commentary. She added, “It was getting too close to present-day. It’s much easier when it was further in the past, and I think people didn’t have necessarily a direct relationship with the people on the screen.”

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The Crown indeed maintained a delicate balance, consciously avoiding delving into more recent scandals or issues. However, Anderson is now venturing into another royal-inspired project, Scoop, where she stars as British journalist Emily Maitlis. This upcoming Netflix film focuses on the intense BBC interview with King Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, about his sexual misconduct scandal. But that doesn’t mean Anderson thinks that every aspect of the royals’ lives, especially health battles where they have each asked for grace and privacy, needs to be dramatized.

Reflecting further on the royal family’s latest challenges, Anderson said, “It’s a moment where we understand they have asked for a bit of peace and quiet around what they’re experiencing and it feels like that’s the least we can do.” Her comments underscore the humanity behind the headlines, urging a moment of respite for the family amid their health battles.

In a previous conversation with InStyle in 2021, Anderson shed light on The Crown’s approach to potentially scandalous material, emphasizing the drama’s restraint and respect towards its real-life subjects. “There’s a lot of stuff that could have been written about — but was not — that is so much worse than what ended up in the show. There has been kindness extended in certain areas where it didn’t have to be,” she said.

As the royal family navigates their current trials, Anderson’s reflections remind us of the importance of empathy and discretion. While the allure of royal drama is undeniable, at the heart of these narratives are real people grappling with real issues — not all of which needs to be turned into a binge-worthy Netflix series.

Before you go, click here to see more of Kate Middleton’s best royal fashion moments.

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