THE CROWN S2

Claire Foy and Matt Smith bow out as Liz and Phil in a second serving of Netflix’s regal soap opera that places their rumoured marital difficulties centre stage. The result is a more intimate (and slightly cheaper-looking) affair than the lavish Season 1, with seismic world events – the Suez Crisis, JFK’s assassination – taking a back seat to Margaret’s love life and the education of Charles. The impending cast overhaul (Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter incoming) should see the show’s third season fully recover its dramatic mojo. Neil Smith