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ROYAL SUCCESS

Netflix’s £100m monarchy drama The Crown’s nudity, sex and actors’ ‘easy chemistry’ wins over critics

NEW Netflix monarchy drama The Crown has proven to be a royal success, according to dozens of overwhelmingly positive reveiws.

The eagerly awaited series, which chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II, has been hailed for being "big league television" and the actors' "touching, easy chemistry".

 The Crown has been royally praised by critics
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The Crown has been royally praised by criticsCredit: AP:Associated Press

It has garnered a whopping 92% positive reviews on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

The drama features Stockport-born actress Claire Foy, 32, and Doctor Who actor Matt Smith, 34, as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

It was released yesterday, with the second episode featuring a cheeky bed scene which saw Matt baring his bum.

 Claire Foy takes the lead as Queen Elizabeth
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Claire Foy takes the lead as Queen ElizabethCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The Crown chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II
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The Crown chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth IICredit: Netflix
 Critics have praised the easy chemistry between Claire and Matt Smith
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Critics have praised the easy chemistry between Claire and Matt SmithCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Episode two sees Matt Smith reveal his bare bum
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Episode two sees Matt Smith reveal his bare bumCredit: [email protected]

But the actor's bar bum wasn't all that had critics in a spin.

Writing for the Telegraph, Gabriel Tate praised Matt and Claire's "touching, easy chemistry that makes the longevity of the union easy to understand, and renders the couple not just sympathetic but human".

Meanwhile the Guardian wrote: "Netflix can rest assured that its £100m gamble has paid off. This first series, about good old British phlegm from first to last, is the service's crowning achievement so far."

The Wall Street Journal commented: "[It's] the most distinguished portrayal in a series crowded with outstanding performances."

The New York Times praised it for being a "thoughtful series that lingers over death rather than using it for shock value; one that finds its story lines in small power struggles rather than gruesome palace coups".

Jared Harris also stars in the glittering drama as King George VI, and New York Magazine commented that his "performance alone makes The Crown worth watching".

Vanity fair remarked: "The Crown is not the new Downton Abbey. (Dowager Countess, pull the brim of that toque hat over your ears.) The Crown is far and away better."


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