During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Staunton reflected on the final six episodes, highlighting the particular challenges the Queen faced at that point in her reign. She mentioned the absence of characters like Margaret and The Queen Mother and the emergence of the Charles and Camilla storyline, making it dramatically interesting to play.
Staunton revealed that during the filming of these scenes, she chose not to talk to anyone to recreate the serious and somber atmosphere of that moment. Describing the set as very still, she shared that she got lost in the moment, emphasizing the gravity of the scene.
The actress also discussed the real-life events that coincided with the filming. At the time of the Queen's death, Staunton was on set with Lesley Manville. Despite being informed of some sad news, they chose to continue filming. Staunton had 10 days off, coinciding with the official mourning period, and shared her emotional experience, revealing that people found it hard to look at her when she returned to work.
Staunton's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the final installment of "The Crown" explores pivotal moments, including the Queen reflecting on the future of the monarchy during her Golden Jubilee, the marriage of Charles and Camilla, and the blossoming romance between William and Kate. Claire Foy and Olivia Colman portrayed younger versions of Queen Elizabeth earlier in the series.
