'The Crown' Actress Says Adding Disclaimers Would "Patronize" Viewers
The debate rages on.
![Jonny Lee Miller, Dominic West, Marcia Warren, Elizabeth Debicki, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville and Claudia Harrison attend the World Premiere of Netflix's "The Crown" Season 5 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on November 8, 2022 in London, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/66hYe2sifPFpZqmxnrbtAU-415-80.jpg)
The Crown's season 5 (out now! I repeat: out now!) has caused an incredible amount of controversy in the past few months before its release, with prominent public figures arguing that it should come with disclaimers that would remind viewers to take the events depicted on the show with a pinch of salt.
But Claudia Harrison, who plays Princess Anne in the new season, has said that adding disclaimers would be patronizing to viewers, and argued fervently against them.
"That debate has been there, understandably, through the context of the time we are living through. And that’s fine. And I think we have moved on, haven’t we, into a more nuanced area where as an actor—I have to talk about it only as that—I think my job is always to respect the intelligence of the audience," Harrison said (via the Guardian).
“To patronize the audiences worldwide, and to think people are genuinely sitting down thinking this is a documentary and that everything they see is fact, I feel uncomfortable with that. Patronize an audience at your peril."
With her view, Harrison joins fellow The Crown actor Josh O'Connor in criticizing the potential use of disclaimers.
At the season premiere in London on Nov. 8, other actors fervently defended the Netflix show.
"I think a lot of people are very sensitive about the show since the Queen died," Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles, told BBC News.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"A lot of people are worried about what will be in it, but I don't think they need to be."
A scene between the actors who play Prince Charles and former Prime Minister John Major stirred up a ton of controversy before the show's release, but the actor who portrays Major doesn't think it's justified. "I think it's been misrepresented in the press and it's a big fuss about nothing," Jonny Lee Miller told BBC News.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Jenny Is Back on the Block—and Carrying a Birkin
The singer returned to New York City with a loud luxury outfit to match.
By India Roby Published
-
Serena Williams's Post-Retirement Style Pivot Is Complete
The tennis star's fashion era is taking a turn.
By Julia Gray Published
-
If You Need Karlie Kloss, She’ll Be Sorting Her $10 Vitamin Box
“It’s an investment in my self-care.”
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Interestingly, the Showrunner of ‘The Crown’ Admits He’s “Not Really That Interested in the Monarchy”
Peter Morgan also admitted that, after Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, “I didn’t really want to do it anymore.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Well, Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ Might Not Be Completely Done After All
The success of ‘Scoop’ is reportedly prompting the streaming giant’s bosses to bring ‘The Crown’ back in a new, interesting form after the show concluded last year.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Dominic West Says He Got in Bed and Didn’t Leave for Two Days After Reading Reviews of ‘The Crown’
Much like the character of Prince Charles that he portrays, West is “a sensitive soul.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
If You Want One of 450 Items from the Set of ‘The Crown,’ Now’s Your Chance to Claim It
A replica of Princess Diana’s revenge dress? Could be yours. How about your very own Gold State Coach? Up for grabs, too.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
The Crown's 2 Princess Dianas Hung Out on the Red Carpet in a Multiverse Moment
Emma Corrin and Elizabeth Debicki are besties!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Dominic West of ‘The Crown’ Forbade His Son from Reprising His Role as Prince William in Season Six for One Heartbreakingly Poignant Reason
“It was unfair of me, because he did want to do it.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
‘The Crown’ Never Intended to Take Its Storyline to the Present Day for This Reason
The sixth and final season will cut off in 2005.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Elizabeth Debicki is Fully Aware of the “Immense Responsibility” of Portraying Princess Diana on “The Crown”
Season six finally premieres this Thursday.
By Rachel Burchfield Published