While we may be used to hearing demands from The Crown‘s Princess Margaret, it looks like Helena Bonham Carter now has a request of her own.
Appearing on the series’ official podcast, Bonham Carter revealed that she believes Netflix has a “moral responsibility” to warn its viewers that they’re not watching a documentary.
The actress, who played Princess Margaret for two seasons, admitted that the show should work harder to clarify to viewers that “our version” and the “real version” of the British monarchy are vastly different.
“It is dramatised,” she said, according to the New York Post. “I do feel very strongly, because I think we have a moral responsibility to say, ‘Hang on guys, this is not… it’s not a drama-doc, we’re making a drama.’ So they are two different entities.”
The show’s fourth season has caused an uproar due to the controversial portrayal of the monarchy, in particular Prince Charles’ infidelity and treatment of Diana. Since the season aired, royal experts have become worried that the reputation of the Windsor family could be damaged.
Bonham Carter’s comments emerged after U.K. Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, argued that The Crown should be “very clear at the beginning” that it’s a “beautifully produced work of fiction.” He also revealed his plans to write to Netflix amid mounting concerns that the royal family’s reputation is being soiled by fictionalised scenes in the show.
“Without this, I fear for a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may have mistaken fact for fictions,” he cautioned.
However, Dowden wasn’t alone. Even Princess Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, spoke out about the controversy and also pushed for warnings.
“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,’” he continued. “I worry people do think that this is gospel and that’s unfair.”
Since season four aired, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have switched off comments on their official Twitter account, after they began receiving hateful comments following their on-screen portrayal.
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