How to watch: Remember Queen Elizabeth with documentaries, specials, movies, TV series
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday comes an increased interest in the story of her life, which has been told many times in both documentaries and scripted dramas.
Here’s a working list (to be updated) of documentaries, news specials, TV series and movies about the queen.
Note: The King is expected to make a prerecorded, televised address on Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. local time in Britain (1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time). It will be carried on the broadcast and cable news networks.
News specials about the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Thursday, Sept. 8
▪ “Queen Elizabeth: A Royal Life” (8 p.m., PBS) — The special explores Queen Elizabeth’s life, legacy, and her influence within the royal family, across the United Kingdom and around the world. For more from PBS, look for the “Honoring Queen Elizabeth” playlist on PBS.org and PBS Video App.
▪ “Queen Elizabeth II: The Legacy, The Life (8 p.m., ABC)“ — An ABC News Special Report on the life of Queen Elizabeth hosted by George Stephanopoulos.
▪ “A Queen For the Ages: Elizabeth II” (10 p.m., CNN) - A news special that looks at the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
Friday, Sept. 9
▪ CBS anchor Nora O’Donnell and a crew of reporters and contributors will broadcast from London starting Friday, with the network’s coverage presented in partnership with the BBC. Coverage will be available on CBS News, CBS News Streaming and on Friday’s “CBS Mornings” show.
▪ ABC News’ “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir will host a two-hour primetime special live from London Friday at 9 p.m., TV Insider reports. The special will be available to stream on Hulu later in the weekend.
Sunday, Sept. 11
▪ “CBS Sunday Morning” (9 a.m., CBS) — Jane Pauley will anchor a special 90-minute edition focusing on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, featuring the latest news and reports. There will be more on “Face the Nation,” which follows.
▪ “60 Minutes” (7 p.m., CBS) — The Sunday evening news magazine will also have an update from London.
This section will continue to update.
Best movies about Queen Elizabeth II
▪ “The Queen” is a 2006 historical drama that is hard to beat. It was written by Peter Morgan (who went on to create “The Crown” on Netflix), directed by Stephen Frears and starring Helen Mirren in the title role. Mirren won an Academy Award, a BAFTA award and the Golden Globe for her portrayal. The action of the film takes place around the time of the death of Princess Diana in 1997, and the Queen’s controversial and unpopular actions in regard to public mourning for her.
How to watch: The movie is streaming for subscribers on HBO Max, Hulu and Roku, but can also be purchased on Google Play, iTunes, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Vudu.
▪ “The King’s Speech” is a 2010 historical drama about Queen Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, who took the throne when his brother abdicated. Colin Firth plays King George VI (he won an Academy Award for his part) and Helena Bonham Carter plays the future queen’s mother. The movie isn’t so much about Queen Elizabeth II, but she is portrayed as a young princess in the movie. It has been reported that Queen Elizabeth II watched the movie and was touched by the portrayal of her father.
How to watch: The movie is available to stream for subscribers on Hulu, Starz, Roku, Amazon Prime, Sling and Philo, and available to purchase on Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.
TV series about Queen Elizabeth II
▪ “The Crown” on Netflix is a fictionalized account of the life of Queen Elizabeth II, from the time she took the throne as a young woman following her father’s death, through to modern times. Even though it’s largely fiction, there’s a lot of history here. It’s fascinating and very well done. There have been four seasons so far (a fifth and sixth are on the way), with different actresses portraying the queen at different stages of life. Claire Foy played the younger queen with Olivia Coleman as the middle-aged queen and Imelda Staunton is set to take over as the older Queen in Season 5.
How to watch: “The Crown” is only available to stream on Netflix.
Best documentaries about Queen Elizabeth II
▪ “Elizabeth: A Portrait in Part(s)“ is a Showtime documentary directed by Roger Michell, celebrating her historical achievements and events from her personal life.
How to watch: Available on demand through Showtime, and also for subscribers on Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.
▪ “Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen” is a BBC film that tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II with her own words and with the use of home movies showing the Royal family, including footage from her childhood and archival footage of Royal weddings and speeches.
How to watch: It’s available on BBC Select but also on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Roku.
▪ “In Their Own Words: Queen Elizabeth II” is a PBS documentary following Elizabeth’s life from her youth, through her sudden ascension to the throne after her father’s death, and her reign as Queen.
How to watch: Watch online at pbsnc.org and on the the PBS Video app through 9/21.
▪ “The Queen at War” chronicles Princess Elizabeth’s experiences during World War II and how those experiences shaped her.
How to watch: This can be streamed with the PBS NC Passport online and on the PBS Video app.
▪ “Queen Elizabeth: A Lifetime of Service” - This special looks at the “highs and lows of Queen Elizabeth’s reign as head of the British monarchy.”
How to watch: This streams free on Peacock.
▪ “The Queen and the Coup” tracks the events from February 1953, with Queen Elizabeth II one year into her reign and involved in a secret plot to topple Iran’s democratic leader in favor of an all-powerful Shah. PBS: “Planned by MI6 and executed by the C.I.A., the coup that follows destroys relations between Iran and the West. Using newly declassified documents this film unravels this secret for the first time.”
How to watch: Watch with PBS NC Passport online and on the PBS Video app.
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