Joanna Lumley brands The Crown ‘ghastly’ and says that ‘lots of people don’t know it’s made up’

‘People say, ‘oh everybody knows it’s made up’... they don’t, they think it’s the truth,’ actor claims

Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has criticised the hit Netflix series The Crown, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The actor described the series, which released its fourth season last November, as “ghastly”, and referred to the controversy surrounding the show’s historical accuracy.

Around the time of season four’s release, The Crown was criticised by figures including culture secretary Oliver Dowden, who was mocked for suggesting that the series needed to bear a warning alerting people to the fact it is a work of fiction.

Speaking on the Chopper’s Politics podcast, Lumley said: “I don’t watch The Crown. I find it all ghastly. Lots of people love it and lots of people apparently know it’s mostly made up, but lots of people don’t know it’s made up.

“Well some people say ‘Oh everybody knows it’s made up’ - they don’t, they think it’s the truth,” she added. “I couldn’t watch it because I feel if you don’t agree with something don’t watch it and go ‘oooh I hate that.’ Just don’t watch it.”

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Lumley also said she had “no interest” in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as senior royals last year and recently gave a high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey in which they discussed their decision to move to the US.

The Crown can be watched now on Netflix.