Netflix Says It Has "No Plans" To Add Disclaimers Before The Episodes Of The Crown

Last week British Cultural Secretary, Olive Dowden, urged the US-based online streaming platform, Netflix, to add  a disclaimer at the start of episodes of the hit series The Crown to make it clear that it is a work of fiction. However, Netflix has announced that it has “no plans” to add  disclaimers to The Crown. Responding to the Cultural Secretary, Netflix said, “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 further added, “As a result, we have no plans and see no need to add a disclaimer,” quoted Daily Mail.

Also Read: British Culture Secretary Wants Netflix To Add A “Health Warning” Saying That ‘The Crown’ Is Fictional

Dowden is among several other prominent figures who feel that the Netflix drama series The Crown in which the actors play the role of royal family members will give a wrong impression of the Royal family to the audience. Dowden earlier said that young viewers “might mistake fact for fiction” especially during the recently released fourth season which shows the breakdown of the marriage between the Prince and Princess of Wales. He further added that Netflix's "beautifully produced work of fiction... should be very clear at the beginning it is just that".

Earl Spencer, the brother of the late Princess of Wales, previously told British News Programme, ITV’s host Lorraine Kelly that he was worried some viewers would take the storylines "as gospel". He said, "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'," reported the BBC.

Since the past few weeks the Netflix Drama has been getting mounting criticisms from the Royal family and their acquaintances, while some have criticised Netflix's response as being ‘arrogant’ others feel that the company’s intransigence was adding to the Royal Family’s disquiet over the affair. According to Royal Biographer Hugo Vickers “What they have done is similar to what the KGB do give you one fact, then you say, “well, that happened”, then another one, and then something that didn’t happen at all.’

However, The Crown’s creator Peter Morgan has defended the show and said that it is thoroughly researched and true in spirit. While many British viewers have enjoyed watching the drama series the fourth season has been criticised by some over scenes suggesting that the late Princess Diana was treated coldly, even cruelly, by senior royals.

Also Read: Emma Corrin: Here’s What You Should Know About Actress Playing Princess Diana In The Crown

Arunima Sharma is an intern with SheThePeople.TV