The Crown creator Peter Morgan claims Judi Dench and John Major ‘probably feel stupid’ for speaking out against the hit drama and says critics ‘shut up’ once they’ve seen it

Peter Morgan, creator and writer of Netflix hit The Crown, has claimed that critics of the series, such as Dame Judi Dench and John Major, may feel ‘stupid’ for condemning the show.

Viewers and public figures alike have openly criticized The Crown for rewriting history, with Dame Judi, 88, accusing the company of “gross sensationalism”, and former Prime Minister John Major, 80, calling the show “nonsense”.

Last fall, Netflix bowed to the pressure and began prefacing the show with a disclaimer, stating, “Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign.”

However, in an interview with VarietyPeter Morgan said: ‘Any criticism of ‘The Crown”s attitude towards the royal family comes ahead of the show’s release

‘As soon as it comes out and people watch it – whether it’s Judi Dench or John Major – they immediately go silent. And I think they probably feel quite stupid.”

Series 6 of The Crown portrays the final days of Princess Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki (pictured with the young actors playing Prince Harry and Prince William)

Dame Judi was among those who called for a disclaimer to be inserted at the start of each episode to show respect for the loss suffered by the Royal Family and the nation following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

In October 2022, the veteran actress who played Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria wrote to the Times, saying the Netflix series risked damaging the monarchy.

The Oscar-winning actress criticized the show for “crude sensationalism” and blurring fact and fiction in a dramatic intervention during an ongoing row over the show’s rewriting of history.

Dame Judi, who was made a Companion of Honor in 2005, objected to scenes of Prince Charles lobbying to force his mother’s abdication in series five, saying it would provide an ‘inaccurate and hurtful account of history’ .

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Major, 80, (pictured) described a storyline as a ‘barrel of evil nonsense’

In a fictional scene in series 5, John Major, played by Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller, is summoned to a private meeting by Prince Charles, who asks for his help in convincing his mother to abdicate

She wrote: ‘The closer the drama comes to our present time, the more freely it seems willing to blur the lines between historical accuracy and crass sensationalism.’

Similarly, Sir John Major was unimpressed by the fictional abdication storyline, in which Prince Charles lobbied him to convince his mother to give up the throne.

Sir John, who was prime minister from 1992 to 1997, described the abdication storyline as a ‘barrel of evil nonsense’.

The sixth and final series will be released in two parts. Part one will be available on the streaming service on November 16, while part two will be revealed on December 14.

Fans will see some historic moments recreated on screen, including Princess Diana’s last days before she died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.

Other important events will include the meeting of Prince William And Kate Middleton early 2000s, the 2002 Golden Jubilee and the wedding of Charles and Camilla in 2005.

The series has already raised eyebrows after leaks suggested Diana’s ghost, played by Elizabeth Debicki, has an emotional reconciliation with a grieving Prince Charles, played by Dominic West.

The imagined scene comes after Charles is pictured sobbing over her body in a hospital morgue in Paris.

She then reappears in phantom form before Queen Elizabeth II, played by Imelda Staunton, as they discuss funeral arrangements with Charles – with her appearance seemingly bringing the Queen to tears.

However, Morgan has denied that the apparition is intended to be the spirit of the late princess, saying his image shows how she “continued to live vividly in the minds of those she left behind.”

Upcoming: The series six poster features a striking photo of Princess Diana in a blue swimsuit, sitting at the end of a jetty

In the interview, Morgan described herself as a monarchist who appreciates the work the royal family does for the country – and said this makes Britain unique.

He further explained how every member of the population is emotionally connected to the monarch, whether consciously or unconsciously.

The writer also expressed his condolences for Prince Harry, but said he has not read the prince’s tell-all memoir Spare because he did not want it to influence The Crown’s story.

Because the series focuses on the line of succession, Harry only plays a minor character.

Mr Morgan believes ending with the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla was the ‘dignified’ thing to do. However, he did hint at a prequel that predates Queen Elizabeth II.