Is Peter Morgan about to wind back the clock to the start of the Twentieth Century? 

With Netflix’s award-winning royal drama The Crown about to begin its final iteration, rumours abound that the streamer wants more.

The show, made by Left Bank Pictures, has focussed on the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II and her subsequent reign. Moving through the decades, and stars in the lead role, the upcoming fifth series will take place in the 1990s.

However, the rumour – coming from Variety via The Daily Mail – suggests a new prequel show might turn the clock back to 1901. Beginning with the death of Queen Victoria, it would then work its way through WWI to the rise of socialism and to the abdication crisis. That’s a span of four monarchs, Edward VII and VIII and George V and VI.

Of course, we stress this just speculation but it does make a lot of sense. The Crown is one of the streamer’s highest-profile shows, garnering both critical and popular acclaim. With the fifth series set to debut in November, the sixth is in the works; the narrative is expected to draw to a close at the Queen’s jubilee in 2002. Five more decades of such a popular show might be irresistible to the streamer, maintaining subscriber interest in an increasingly competitive market.

Series 5

When the show returns this November, Imelda Staunton takes on the role of Queen Elizabeth II. Joining her for the family’s tumultuous 1990s are Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret. One generation down, Dominic West will play Prince Charles with Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana and Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles.

Additionally, Johnny Lee Miller (Elementary) is joining the team as the Prime Minister, John Major.

Naturally, we’ll keep you posted.