The Queen as portrayed on screen

From Helen Mirren's Oscar-winning performance in "The Queen," to the long-running television series "The Crown," Queen Elizabeth II has provided a grand but mysterious canvas for actresses portraying the British monarch. Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz looks back at screen portraits of the Queen, and talks with Jane Alexander, who played her in the 2011 TV movie, "William & Catherine: A Royal Romance."
#helenmirren #johnlithgow #janealexander #thecrown
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[@patcavasin5947]

Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Helen Mirrin have done a wonderful job of portraying the Queen.

[@debbiearrow1334]

Agreed

[@Purplenpinkk]

I love Helen Mirren's performance in "The Queen." I've watched that movie so many times, because of it.

[@cr8114]

did he called you yesterday ?

[@oscarfun100]

Watched it so many times, I just started to say the lines with Dame Helen as this clip started lol.

[@adriennefein2284]

Helen Mirren is a Breathtaking Actor & she truly portrayed her wonderfully

[@IntriguedLioness]

I truly admired Clair Foy's portrayal of young Queen Elizabeth II. There was a restraint, a self-knowing. To display these attributes knowing that the Queen was not only new to the role but the 20th century brought so many new changes. That Queen Elizabeth II herself chose to be very progressive as far as the media, from the filming of her coronation to statements made for television cameras on her various trips throughout the commonwealth. I remember seeing her on site dealing with the burning of Windsor Castle and admired how she seem to be able to step up to all challenges. And of course taking the time to film little humorous bits such as the Invictus spot with Prince Harry and the mic drop (!) Clair Foy embodied that first chapter I feel. All three actresses seem to have been good choices! And that's just "The Crown". So many other portrayals.. Helen Miren in "The Queen" was mesmerizing.

[@jaysters]

Mnm

[@bigredmed]

Foy's skill was particularly on display in the scene with her encountering the elderly Queen Mary. That subtle twitch of her neck. Amazing.

[@gheller2261]

She was good but a bit too pretty for the role.

[@IntriguedLioness]

@@gheller2261 both Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were beautiful when they were younger, it's in their geans to develop a different look later, but with that dark hair and blue eyes they were in fact beautiful.

[@IntriguedLioness]

@@bigredmed I know the scene you are talking about, I'll have to go back and rewatch. I had some catching up to do in the last couple of months and there are so many movies of Queen Elizabeth streaming now but "The Crown" is one that I could watch over and over!

[@johnnystir9796]

Claire Foy and John Lithgow were magic on screen together.

[@kneesoxxx7902]

John Lithgow played queen Elizabeth??

[@booktendersclub1110]

@@kneesoxxx7902 he played her first PM Winston Churchill.

[@overcomerbtboj]

@@kneesoxxx7902 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@saumyapathak5865]

@@kneesoxxx7902 😂😂😂

[@annchurchill2638]

and Eileen Atkins as grandmother. She was also great in Smiley' People.

[@chipmunkpark8826]

Claire Foy was exquisite...she felt like a true Queen Elizabeth II young version

[@aspen327]

I think Claire Foy was excellent in playing the role but the writer was not fair to the queen. She always seem angry and jealous of her sister. I seen and read about the young Queen. She was not what the show portray . I not seen any actress that can capture the beautiful smile and kindness of the Queen.

[@mebebored4826]

The day before she died my history teacher was talking about her saying how she is immortal and will never die then the next day.... RIP, she was not just a Queen, she was a monument, she was a love-filled, funny, and kind soul.

[@cherylwebb8340]

She was all that, but, obviously, like us, she was human.

[@johnpickford4222]

Me be bored: Your history teacher should be careful who they speak about as they have a fatal affect on the individual.

[@Hinata.Sakaguchi]

her legacy is now immortal and will never be forgotten.

[@lakandula6729]

AND YOUR HISTORY TEACHER NEVER TOLD HOW THEY GOT THEIR WEALTH .. FROM WHERE , FROM WHOM , AND THE STAIN OF BLOOD THOSE GOLDS WITH...😆😆😆😆

[@streaming5332]

@@cherylwebb8340 history teacher wasn't on this planet

[@djnoneofyourbusiness525]

Claire Foy was my favorite version.. she portrayed a side of the Queen that felt realistic. Young and naive- constantly at conflict with herself and her duty. She was able to help you understand how Queen Elizabeth transformed throughout the early years of her reign. The first two seasons of the Crown did such a great job without making it feel exaggerated.

[@silversun3133]

I didn't cry when one of my country's presidents died but I balled my eyes out when the Queen died. I think John Lithgow's final comment in this video is fitting and accurate. Elizabeth II will be greatly missed.

[@NittinNinja]

Same here.

[@kdavis450]

same

[@sirwelch9991]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[@coryspang7548]

I was in the middle of class when I heard the news. It made me very melancholy for the remainder of the day.

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Queen Elizabeth was the glue that kept Britain the Commonwealth the monarchy together for so many years and outstanding woman. RIP Dear lady

[@firebearva]

"We just can not know her, but we really miss her." Those words truly describe the enigma we have known as Elizabeth Regina.

[@lakandula6729]

really...?????? who told you...??? so..? why not ask those continent they ripped off to gain wealth...???? where did their gold came from....? duhhhhh

[@firebearva]

@@lakandula6729 What amount and to where would you like your reparation check sent to?

[@lakandula6729]

@@firebearva ... youre not ignorant where they belong..

[@annsmith7207]

Tremendous power of example who kept her promise to her country as their servant from the day she became Queen and never wavered. A lifetime of duty to country. To be admired even in her self assessment of having made egregious family mistakes. The rainbow over Buckingham Palace minutes before the announcement of her death is reassurance that it was a life well loved, lived and is at peace. ✨🙏✨🇦🇽✨❤️

[@rosemaryedwards7239]

Jane Alexander is a great actress in her own right! God bless her portraying the Queen and her life now.

[@personaldove]

Claire Foy and Helen Mirren exuded the Queen's personality.

[@louise-yo7kz]

Very much so

[@onitaijeoma1450]

Perfectly

[@ghunter182003]

Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was so great.

[@ColConnie]

I have hesitated to go back and watch so many of these movie portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II. This overview now helps me to do so in a long view of her life and personality. God bless HM The Queen’s soul and memory. 😢❤

[@chefduane3742]

The Queen died on what would have been my father's 101st birthday. He fought in the skies over Europe and Britain in WWII. As Americans, we didn't know her but we will surely miss her. Please trust that your cousins across the pond also feel your sense of loss. The Queen is dead. Long Live the King.

[@LindaAndrews-ly1qf]

Was your father British?

[@chefduane3742]

@@LindaAndrews-ly1qf No

[@pcbacklash_3261]

As a lifelong student of history, I've always admired the role Elizabeth has played in history, beginning with World War 2. And while I couldn't give a rat's a$$ about monarchies or royal families, and scroll past or click closed any news items regarding her family, I've always had a fondness for her personally. Pondering her character over the passing decades, my estimation of it always seems to come back to one word, time and time again -- grace. She defined it.

[@marilynrowland5197]

Beautifully done! This was an insightful look into a woman who remained an enigma for her entire reign as Queen, but who was steadfast and true and never wavered in her role as monarch. She proved to be a widely admired head of state, a woman who inspired such an incalculable depth of reverence and love that she gained the respect, not only of her own subjects, but of people around the world.

[@jasonb4988]

Well said Mr. Lithgow .. thank you ! From a Brit in America ! She was an amazing human being who had to make enormous sacrifices and changes throughout her life. In doing so, she brought no judgment, but rather compassion for all human beings. May God bless her in the afterlife 🙏🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@heinmolenaar6750]

Queen Elizabeth was always so humble. She never wanted to be addressed with her holiness.

[@bellerophon1218]

A monarch, who defends the Democracy. How times changed. Epochal. Long live the King! Affectionate regards from Germany.

[@tomawen5916]

Excellent piece. My heart broke when i learned the Queen had passed away. When i was born, Queen Elizabeth had already been on the throne for 11 years. I grew up in Canada for my first 7 years of life and learned, in addition to Oh Canada, also God Save the Queen. Now having lived in the USA since 1971 (and a U.S. citizen since 1976) the Star Spangled Banner was my tune. But when i hear God Save the Queen, i remember my childhood as a little boy who was taught that Elizabeth was MY queen. When she passed, tears welled up in my eyes. My second mother was gone (my "real" mom had passed in 2017 and both my mom and Elizabeth were strong, quiet women with grace and strength hidden underneath a calm exterior) but so long as Elizabeth lived, so did my mom too. Now that she is gone, only an empty hole in my heart remains. For the last time I utter what I learned as a child, "God Save the Queen".

[@DelightLovesMovies]

Helen Mirren was so great and lovely as the Queen.

[@anastasia8042]

Helen Mirren was the best best best best portrayal of the Queen…. In looks which is most important and demeanor

[@Clintsessentials]

Absolutely ❤️💕 Helen Mirren!!!

[@rohanmarkjay]

Ironically even though she was the head of state and extremely powerful woman politically. She is the best Ambassador representing them on the world stage the British ever had.

[@Wenchework]

HMQE2 was not just the queen of GB but to meny she was "the queen" and I am glad thise potrails reminded us she was human as well god bless her

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Ben, you missed one I remember fondly; Penelope Wilton (of Downton Abbey) in Spielberg's "The BFG" was quite an amusing addition to the list of excellent actresses who have now portrayed this amazing woman. The Queen has been there my entire life, I'm almost 70, and I feel so bereft--and I am an american.

[@kalimanbuda6501]

Elizabeth became a legend ...she is to be remembered for the centuries to come...I am glad I lived the time in which people like Elizabeth II , jhon paul II , Ronald Reagan , margaret thacher, mandela lived etc

[@anat_damag94]

a week before Queen Elizabeth II passed away I was watching 'The Queen' in HBO. She reigned long enough. Rest easy now our dearest queen

[@Cathleen7259]

I love you Helen Miren you are such a "Great Actress"and you play The Queen perfectly!

[@TyroneBeiron]

Dame Helen summed up all the performances best with her studied comment, that ultimately it is how the actors and ourselves that 'project' what we think we know of her in these portrayals. Who she is remains a mystery to all of us who only are familiar with the role and the facade.

[@lasandralucas7314]

Excellent post especially seeing Jane Alexander reaction like all us learning the of her passing. Also, I wish you could had mentioned Carol Burnett as her comedic portrayal of the queen on the Carol Burnett Show as well.

[@PokePalm2534]

Helen Mirren won an Oscar for The Queen in the same year when Meryl Streep was nominated for The Devil Wears Prada where she said Miranda's hair got inspired from Helen's. Since Meryl Streep has played The Iron Lady, won't it be an epic one if Meryl plays Margaret Thatcher and Helen plays Queen Elizabeth II in the same movie? What an imagination!!!

[@potterpenguin7285]

It would be fun if they brought back Olivia Colman in some way too as she's played both the Queen herself in The Crown and Thatcher's daughter in the Iron Lady

[@PokePalm2534]

@@potterpenguin7285 Never noticed that before Oh dear, 22 actors have played The Iron Lady and The Crown!!!!

[@debbiearrow1334]

Crying with Jane. HM meant so much, we love her as our Queen and as Family

[@kwnzgtube]

Quite simply, thank you for posting this video report...very respectfully...long live the Queen.

[@powerdriller4124]

Impersonated by Hellen Miller is when the Queen showed the best and most ample back end of Hers.

[@gwloo]

Helen Mirren still gives me the goosebumps

[@ri8255]

Helen Mirren and Claire Foy did amazing job..❤️❤️❤️

[@czarinacourtneyal-marmont4699]

Beautifully done. So true.

[@Peripepp]

Helen Mirren's portrayal of the late Majesty is my favourite

[@jarrodbarkley9061]

Fred Armisen's portrayal was the best!

[@AA-qb7ni]

Lmao

[@ticketyboo2456]

Jarrod Barkley He pales into significance when compared with Stankey Baxter. Sorry Freddy.

[@luxeternal1258]

Call me Deborah!

[@lokiex6535]

Watching the Queen's Funeral today I balled my eyes out.

[@linda6987]

Love Helen! She’s the best! Now I have another movie to watch. I will miss the Queen, she’s all I’ve known my whole life. I’m in the US but still feel the grief as well as my own! Rest In Peace your Majesty. Long live the King! 💜

[@sandmedna3056]

the best actress portraying the queen. Helen Mirren's👍🏻👍🏻

[@Austin8thGenTexan]

I had managed not to shed a tear until the end of this video - when Jane Alexander learned that the queen had died during her interview. Elizabeth was my 10th cousin, 2x removed. That's not even close enough to be a "shirt-tail relation". I have met cousins the Prince and Princess of Kent, and the (late) George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood, but it lingered in my mind that I mostly wanted to meet the Queen. I am 65, and she was always there - always steady. 🌷

[@marih3286]

I bought this DVD a long time ago. I'm going to watch it this week in honor of the Queen on her burial day.

[@bighand1530]

Which one?

[@ITSONLYMEWATCHING]

NO one has ever made a film of the Queen when she was a little girl. I would like to see that.

[@emaarredondo-librarian]

In The King's Speech there are a few remarkable scenes about her, princess Margaret and their relationship with their father. They cared to portray little Elizabeth as a smart, thoughtful girl.

[@streaming5332]

They would have to show her as the jealous sister. Older sister syndrome.

[@reassimilate668]

Claire is a beautiful and beyond capable actress I hope to see in more😍

[@riobrasilsambashowssambist1453]

Finally i see someone else crying. I thought something must be wrong w me crying like this

[@PastxPresentxDarcy]

Funny how with social media we are all pressured to admire those who display every little detail of theirs lives. But when it comes down to it I feel like there is more genuine appreciation for her late Majesty because of her restraint than there is for celebs who splash all their thoughts and mistakes on every tabloid.

[@henrikkjuus90]

The "Playful princess" as showed at 0:23-0:32 was supposed to portay a young princess Margaret, the queens younger sister, not a young princess Elizabeth.

[@chrisfinch8637]

Jeanette Charles is still alive, too. 94 years and still going strong from European Vacation and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad.

[@jamessergeant2136]

Prunella Scales in ‘A Question of Attribution’ was superb.

[@expatleanie]

I loved claire Foy’s portrayal

[@Cathleen7259]

Thank you Clare for portraying The Queen, your eyes radiated your spirit of light and love from God!

[@renan.csmaia]

Helen Mirren will always be the best queen on the screen!!!!

[@adelaferreira4575]

And we certainly missed her majesty Queen Elizabeth II ,may she Rest In Peace .

[@boomerang8909]

6:20 Tragic interruption. RIP, Your Majesty.

[@juliefisher5377]

Long Live the Queen 👸. God bless Britain 🇬🇧

[@ladyashephd727]

We are all Inconsolable. The tears wont stop falling..

[@msinvincible2000]

Such a shame they didn't mention my absolute favourite portrayal of queen Elizabeth: in the TV series Bertie and Elizabeth, the young princess was played by the brilliant Elisabeth Dermot Walsh

[@MrJawstherevenge87]

Bbc 1992 documentary is a year in her life and shows her personality candidly and her humor. It's amazing

[@mikeydan]

hear, hear... "we cannot know her, but we can miss her". well said. I miss her.

[@jchambers5668]

Imelda Stauton!!!!!! Can't wait to see this!!!

[@anneneville6255]

I think Helen miler really looked like the queen during that period !

[@skontheroad]

The first scene was Princess Margaret's character in Royal Night Out. Not the Queen's character.

[@Caligirl4life555]

Yes!! That’s the first thing I thought. The actress who played Queen Elizabeth played her very much in character- not playful like Margaret.

[@andiilham6227]

Dame Helen Mirren and Sylvia Syms performance in The Queen were outstanding!

[@anthonygordon9483]

i always felt like she treated her role as queen as being a job. it very well have been close to who she was as a person if no one can truely look pass her as just being a queen. But she did a great job at it. To me Queen Elizabeth face should be next to the word queen in the dictionary.

[@shelt4430]

Losing Queen Elizabeth II Is For Me Like Losing A Grandmother Because She Has Always Been There...

[@HunterPhenomMakoy]

So glad to see that was the Ben I was hoping it was!

[@j.l.5935]

I love Helen, she's so perfect actress & look like Queen as twin ladies.🤗💐

[@borleyboo5613]

There wasn’t a tear in that woman’s eye.

[@happycommuter3523]

Fantastic. I’m really looking forward to Imelda Staunton in seasons five and six of The Crown.

[@Cathleen7259]

Jane Alexander, you portray The Queen so well you are such a great actress and you convey the love and light of God to everyone!

[@SWLinPHX]

My first taste of someone portraying QE2 was when I was a kid watching the Carol Burnett Show (with Harvey Korman as Prince Phillip), LOL

[@mdbdoc]

Whew. That last quote… so good.

[@chrisfinch8637]

John Lithgow’s a terrific actor.

[@kyliegiles5461]

As a British person i cried my eyes out for the Queen, she was the back bone to the UK and commonwealth but she was there every single day from stamps to money. She wasn't meant to be queen and I'm sure in her heart she never wanted to be. She could never have an opinion or do what she wanted! She had a long life and she served her people to the very end! I named my daughter after her! I wanted a name that stands the test of time, strong and powerful! Also my mum passed away one day after the Queen I think she came in this world with Queen Elizabeth and went out with her also xx

[@adamchurvis1]

No one, but **NO** one, will ever do a better job of portraying HRM ER II than Scott Thompson. No one.

[@emeraldkimble7602]

Helen mirren did both Elizabeth I and ii

[@lasandralucas7314]

And won both Emmy Award Elizabeth I and Oscar for Elizabeth II in one Award season.

[@waynephillips5013]

Perhaps all these amazing portrayals expressed a deep longing that we all had to know the Queen, and these wonderful actresses brought her just a little closer to us.

[@467-k1m]

On Helen Mirren, as "The Queen". I will never forget the feeling portrayed as she sees the 'stag' firstly, and then again later during the 'hunt' sequences. Profound for me at the sighting, and then of course when she visits the death of the stag after being slaughtered. Sentebey

[@chang-kp9sp]

I think Hellen Mirren portrayed queen so well .

[@deb5710]

Oops! You forgot the countless comedy skits that were done by Carol Burnett portraying Queen Elizabeth. I laugh just thinking about those hilarious bits that were done in fun!

[@lasandralucas7314]

My thoughts exactly. I had actually watched them on the Carol Burnett show channel on KZbin, especially season 3 episodes 4, when they a entire show Queen Elizabeth II style. If you see it will at middle of show after the musical numbers. Its well worth watching.

[@ithikithik]

Claire Foy on TV and Helen Mirren on the big screen are my choices.

[@agirlgossips1573]

I was surprised they didn’t maintain continuity of the Queen’s blue eyes in Coleman. Claire in my opinion was the best version, by a mile!

[@gnostic268]

Definitely! 👑

[@bryancash9051]

They couldn’t because Olivia had an eye irritation to them. She really did try. They even tried CGI but Olivia acts through her eyes more than anything so the CGI was distracting. Would you rather have continuity or a great performance?

[@agirlgossips1573]

@@bryancash9051 I’m sure there’s more than one qualified actress in the entire world to play the role

[@orion8835]

Yes that was a gross oversight. They made same mistake with the actresses that portrayed Princess M young and older. Absurd really as color contacts are utterly effective in quality nowadays. One can’t tell people are wearing a different color at all.

[@agirlgossips1573]

@@orion8835 some of the castings are just terrible. There’s really no in between…they nailed it on a couple and absolutely ruined it on others. The new season’s castings, especially of Charles are BAD

[@Lyvasiliy]

Ah! Helen Mirren 👌👍

[@bookofdust]

I can’t believe they left out Scott Thompson’s portrayal on Kids In the Hall, really one of the best of all times?

[@ticketyboo2456]

Michael Clark They did show her in her performance in The Audience; you must have missed it.

[@bookofdust]

@@ticketyboo2456 That is EMMA Thompson, I’m talking about SCOTT Thompson!

[@lasandralucas7314]

Definitely Scott Thompson was hilarious as the queen.

[@DRaymore44]

These movies showed many amazing actresses portraying Queen Elizabeth II in many dramas. Claire Foy and Helen Mirren made excellent interpretations of the Queen, even though the public will never honestly know how she was in real life. The Queen was a private person and kept her emotions at bay while doing her duty to keep the peace of England and the rest of the commonwealth countries. For instance, besides being a young royal and future Queen of England, she decided to be trained as a truck driver and a mechanic for the war effort in World War II. She always felt she had to help her country in any way possible. She was a perfect role model for many girls and young women. While these actresses showed the Queen's nobility and humility, the Queen also had a great sense of humor. I always wondered if the Queen watched Carol Burnett's portrayal of her on Carol's show. Carol did so many episodes as the Queen, which made her so funny. In another example, President George W. Bush gave a speech about the Queen's last visit to America. George misspoke the date as 1776 instead of 1976 when the Queen came from England to the United States. Later at a dinner party, Queen Elizabeth II said in a speech that she did, in fact, come to America in 1776 to poke fun at the president. I will miss Queen Elizabeth II since she was always there for many decades. She loved her husband, family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Most of all, she loved her corgis. Thank you for your long service and your reign. May she Rest in Peace.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Claire Foy was incredibly good.

[@samirar1990]

i have question, did the queen ever saw one of these movies about her ? and if so , what did she think does anybody know ?

[@michael32A]

I _think_ I remember Her Majesty initially liked The Crown, when it depicted her still as a Princess, but all too soon - roughly from when she becomes Queen - it started taking too many liberties to create drama, and swiftly fell out of favour. The main example springing to mind being Prince Philip's portrayal as jealous of her taking precedent over him - e.g. at the Coronation in The Crown, he pledges allegiance to her growling through gritted teeth and Claire Foy looks anxious, but in footage of the real event he's plainly smiling from ear to ear with genuine pride in his wife while making that pledge, and Her Majesty is beaming back at him. Not sure about any other portrayals, but this is a great question I've thought about often too! I hope you get more, better answers than just mine.

[@bendomino8476]

We just cannot know her, but we really miss her.

[@SahvonEdwards]

I had a conversation yesterday about this - people in America have this connection to the Queen of England but don’t know s--t about her, never visited and can’t name 3 things she’s done. 🤷🏽‍♂️ I think it’s because she’s a “queen” and through cinema we developed an affection for the title.

[@kelseyk530]

The same things that you accuse and say of Americans, I, as an American, who has been to London and followed the RD since Princess Di years as my mom and 92 year old ailing grandmother with throat cancer have also visited GB/UK and followed the RF for 30-60 years, that an overwhelming majority of English/British, Welsh, Scottish, and N. Irish are just as ignorant and have never been to London or England, couldn't name 3 things HMTQ has done, and don't know anything about her or the RF.

[@cungcung5042]

Helen Mirren is the best

[@thejonlorenz]

The exclusion of Scott Thompson's portrayal of the Queen on Kids in the Hall is ridiculous here.

[@trysam6952]

I'm sure Professor Umbridge is going to do an outstanding job at playing the queen 👍

[@teacherreadtous4273]

I wish The Crown didn’t change the actors. They are all great, but they could’ve just aged the first set of actors. I just loved Claire Foy!

[@russellgrant1535]

Claire Foy was amazing!

[@barnabyrt1012]

5:16 they forgot to mention Caroll Burnett!😄

[@vrananikola]

This was nice… 🖤