A right royal version of Gogglebox? Claire Foy decrees it should happen
The Crown was one of last year’s most memorable shows, with Claire Foy and Matt Smith impressing as the Queen and Prince Philip. The pair chat to Georgia Humphreys about what to expect from their final series
PICTURE it – Prince William and Kate snuggled up on one sofa, Prince Harry on the other.
They’re in the middle of a Netflix binge, glued to The Crown, the awardwinning series about the British Royal family.
It’s a scene the Queen likes to imagine, anyway.
That’s the TV version of the Queen, of course – actress Claire Foy, who’s back for a second series alongside Matt Smith as her husband Prince Philip.
“We used to have a fascination of the idea of there being a Royal Gogglebox, and that you could record them watching us back...” reveals the 33-year-old star, with an infectiously loud laugh.
This then turns into a conversation about how much she and Smith love the Channel 4 reality show, with Smith telling Foy about the celebrity version he watched recently.
“Liam Gallagher was on Gogglebox?” exclaims Foy, looking at her on-screen husband with a bewildered expression.
There may as well not be anyone else in the room as this exchange happens – it’s clear they enjoying chatting to each other and get on incredibly well.
And it’s this chemistry between Foy and Smith which has made The Crown so believable.
Add to that, their perfectly poshed-up accents, the juicy historical drama and don’t forget the millions of pounds spent on the show by Netflix... It has paid off. Series one – which focused on a young Elizabeth II learning how to rule – was the runaway success of 2017, winning two Golden Globes.
The second series begins in the mid-1950s and will bo doubt offer equally sumptuous viewing.
Although this time, Smith says, we learn more about the other individuals in the show.
There is a huge focus on Prince Philip and how he confronts his own insecurities as his 10th wedding anniversary looms.
Meanwhile, the show’s creator and writer, Peter Morgan, vividly depicts what he perceives to be tensions between the couple as their marriage is hit by turbulent times.
But Smith isn’t worried about portraying Philip in a potentially negative light.
“I think what’s good about this show is that Peter Morgan is tough on the characters, and they can be really ugly,” he says. “We spend time with them at their weakest. I think that is where we learn the most about them, and actually where we come to like them the most.”
But Smith experienced some consternation over the Duke of Edinburgh’s transformation in episode two. When sent away on board the Royal Yacht Britannia for a five-month world tour, a beardgrowing competition takes place – and the facial hair the Prince ends up sporting is quite something.
“Don’t even get me started on the beard, it’s too early!” Smith quips. With a playful smile, he explains how his beard was put on each day: “They glue it to your face, and then take it off with alcohol. It’s like a kick in the knackers every morning, honestly!”
When we meet, Foy looks far removed from her royal character as she’s sporting a striking pixie haircut. Luckily, she didn’t have to partake in any transformations as painful as Smith’s facial hair.
But viewers will see Elizabeth go on quite a journey this series, as she realises how the role of the monarchy has changed.
The show, which starts during the Suez Crisis, and ends with the resignation of the Prime Minister amid the Profumo scandal, is set in a period of huge social change.
And Foy was determined to continue to push herself in the role.
“The thing I’ve found most challenging second time round was not getting complacent and not presuming I knew everything about her,” she explains.
“I think that’s the exercise when you play a character again. You have to keep it living and breathing.”
“That’s why it’s good they’ve booted us out the door and they’re renewing it...” chimes in Smith.
“It’s really good,” Foy agrees. “Because otherwise by the third series we would have just been absolutely...”
“Hamming it up,” Smith adds jokingly.
They will both be replaced by new actors in the third series as the royal couple move into the next stage of their lives. Broadchurch star Olivia Colman will wear the crown next, and Foy highly approves.
“I think she’s going to be amazing,” she gushes. “And the only thing you can do is make it your own. Don’t be afraid of bringing yourself to it.”
It’s obvious that Foy and Smith will miss working together, but will they miss their characters?
Foy says: “I think it’s more difficult [to let go of a character] when you are playing a part and they’re closer to you, and so much of yourself is in it that you can’t really see where one thing ends and the other begins,” she says. “But with these two, they’re so different. And that’s what I loved and thrived on, was being in scenes with Matt and watching Matt. We totally believed ourselves sometimes.”
The Crown Season 2 premieres on Netflix on Friday, December 8.