The streaming service giant Netflix has defiantly rejected calls to add a disclaimer to the series “The Crown,” which is based on the lives of the British royal family, saying that it is a work of fiction.
Netflix Refuses To Add A Disclaimer
Various powerful figures in the United Kingdom have been speaking out over the past few weeks to demand that Netflix add a disclaimer to each episode explaining that the events of the program are fictional and only loosely based on historical events. Netflix, however, is not having any of it.
“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,” Netflix said in a statement that was obtained by Fox News.
“As a result we have no plans — and see no need — to add a disclaimer,” the streaming giant added.
Netflix already tell people that The Crown is fiction. It’s billed as a drama. Those people in it are actors. I know! Blows your mind https://t.co/E2WqKUvx5e
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) November 29, 2020
British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden publicly demanded that a disclaimer be added to the series just a few days ago.
“It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction,” he said. “So as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that. Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.”
You can see the official trailer for the show right here:
This Was A Controversial Season Of The Crown
This did not seem to be an issue in the first three seasons of “The Crown,” which depicted the early decades of Queen Elizabeth’s reign that started in 1952.
However, the newest season that premiered last month is set in the 1980s, a controversial decade in British history that feels like yesterday to many viewers of “The Crown.”
One of the controversial figures in this season of the show is conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who was seen by many as a divisive figure during her 11 years in this role.
The show depicts her as clashing with the Queen repeatedly in a way that some critics say is inaccurate and others say is greatly exaggerated.
Season 4 also features Princess Diana, who tragically died in a car crash in 1997 and is still dearly missed by millions of royal fans all over the world.
“The Crown” controversially and graphically portrays Diana’s private struggle with bulimia in a way that some have found to be disrespectful to her memory.
But, other fans are finding humor with the show:
But the real gag is the fact that Prince Charles and Camila spent decades trying to clean out their names for what they did to Diana before Charles becomes King – only for Netflix drop to #TheCrown and the whole world hates them again. pic.twitter.com/XtJur6L3Wz
— Queen B (@BridgetVirtue3) November 29, 2020
Diana’s Brother Wants A Disclaimer
Diana’s own brother, Charles Spencer, has been one of the people demanding a disclaimer be added to the show.
“I think it would help ‘The Crown’ an enormous amount if, at the beginning of each episode, it stated that, ‘This isn’t true but it is based around some real events,’” he recently said. “I worry people do think that this is gospel and that’s unfair.”
As “The Crown” moves into the 1990s and even closer to present day, they will likely start having to deal with more backlash from viewers who can vividly remember the time periods and characters that are being portrayed.
While they aren’t adding a disclaimer now, it remains to be seen if Netflix will cave to the outrage mob in the future.
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