Before "The Crown" was even conceived, its showrunner Peter Morgan had already dabbled in bringing the life of Queen Elizabeth II to screen, in 2006's "The Queen". A hit amongst critics and audiences alike, Helen Mirren's portrayal of the monarch garnered her international praise, as well as an Oscar for Best Actress.
Mirren plays the Queen in the period following Diana's death, as her and then Prime Minister Tony Blair (played by Michael Sheen), navigate the family's response in the media.
While there is no confirmation that the monarch ever saw the film, Mirren recently said that she has the sense that it was seen and appreciated. She also shared an anecdote in which Prince Harry referred to her as "Granny".
On playing the role, Mirren said, "It was quite nerve-racking because I didn't know — no one knew — how the public would receive it, let alone the establishment in Britain."