Netflix’s shiny new drama, The Crown, is settling into pre-production in the UK with an eye to a summer shoot.

The series is loosely based on Peter Morgan’s hit stage play The Audience (see photo), which depicts the Queen giving her traditional weekly audiences to Prime Ministers, from her accession to the present day.

Morgan himself has penned the mammoth run – an initial block of 10 x 60 with a potential order in pencil for several more series further down the line, each series set to portray a decade of meetings.

The drama marks Netflix’ first original UK-based commission; it is made in association with Sony Pictures Television. Left Bank Pictures is the shingle behind the show; among its chief executive Andy Harries’ many credits as producer is The Queen, the critically acclaimed 2006 film also written by Morgan.

Harries and Morgan executive produce The Crown along with Margot Kehoe, Stephen Daldry, Robert Fox and Mathew Byam Shaw.

From 13 May, subscribers to Production Intelligence can find further details on The Crown, including UK studio and shoot dates, along with crucial hires such as the producer, casting director, co-producer, production co-ordinator, production designer and production manager.