IMELDA STAUNTON

LOS ANGELES — (AP) — When "The Crown" returns Wednesday after a two-year absence, the splintering marriage of Charles and Diana and more woes for Queen Elizabeth II are in the drama's elegant but intrusive spotlight. The death of Queen Elizabeth, 96, in September adds an uneasy dimension: We speculate freely about the famous before and after they're gone, but is more owed a country's beloved and longest-serving monarch? Among the prominent critics is Judi Dench, an Oscar-winner for her role as Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love." It's a demand that Netflix has heard before and continues to resist, framing the series as drama inspired by historical events. “I'm looking forward to King Charles' reign, and seeing what he can do to change things.”Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

“The Crown” returns Wednesday after a two-year absence from Netflix.

When “The Crown” returns Wednesday after a two-year absence, the splintering marriage of Charles and Diana and more woes for Queen Elizabeth II are in the drama’s elegant but intrusive spotlight. There’s swirling off-stage drama as well for the Netflix series that began with Elizabeth’s marriage in the late 1940s and, in its fifth season, takes on the British royal family’s turbulent 1990s. The death of Queen Elizabeth, 96, in September adds an uneasy dimension: We speculate freely about the famous before and after they're gone, but is more owed a country’s beloved and longest-serving monarch?

On the same day as British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned from office after serving for only six weeks, Netflix decided to choose chaos and drop the trailer for the new season of “The Crown.”

“The Crown” will return to its Netflix throne in early November.

Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled for 70 years before her death, was at the center of Netflix’s Emmy-winning period drama, “The Crown,” which follows her reign across decades.

Sheryl Lee Ralph was already in tears on the pre-show red carpet, when presented with a video of support from a beloved aunt.

“The Crown,” Netflix’s acclaimed series about Queen Elizabeth II and her family, has paused production due to the monarch’s death.

Dozens of stars of musical theater gathered at a London theatre for a celebration titled “Old Friends” to raise money for the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, which will benefit young composers.

NEW YORK The Crown has found its Princess Diana. Elizabeth Debicki will play the Princess of Wales in seasons five and six of The Crown, the Netflix series announced Sunday. Debicki will join a new cast for the series that includes Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret. Emma Corrin is playing Diana on the dramas upcoming fourth season, but Debicki will take on the part for what's sure to be the character's most dramatic chapters. Princess Dianas spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many, Debicki said on Twitter.