'The Crown' returns for a fifth season on November 9 — here's how to watch the controversial drama

Season five of Netflix's "The Crown" takes place in the '90s and focuses on the feud between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

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• Netflix's critically acclaimed drama, "The Crown," returns for a fifth season on November 9.
• The series is inspired by the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, but is described as a "fictional dramatization."
• Netflix's ad-free plans start at $10/month and go up to $20/month for 4K streaming.

"The Crown" returns for a fifth season exclusively on Netflix starting November 9. The award-winning drama chronicles Queen Elizabeth II's reign through several decades. 

Season five takes place in the 1990s and focuses on cracks within the royal family as Prince Charles and Princess Diana's feud results in a media circus. Due to the time jump, this season will feature new performers taking on all of the main roles, including Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Dominic West as Prince Charles, and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana. 

Check out the trailer for 'The Crown' season 5

The first season of "The Crown" premiered in 2016 with Claire Foy starring as Queen Elizabeth. Foy continued to portray the character in season two before Olivia Coleman stepped in to play an older version of Elizabeth in seasons three and four. Imelda Staunton is now the third actress to play Elizabeth in the series, and she will remain on the show through its sixth and final season. 

How to watch 'The Crown'

You can watch "The Crown" exclusively on Netflix. All 10 episodes of the fifth season premiere on November 9. Netflix subscribers can also watch the previous four seasons.

Netflix starts at $7/month for its Basic with ads plan or $10/month for its Basic without ads plan. Both offer 720p streaming quality. To get Full HD 1080p playback, you need a Standard plan for $15.49/month. If you have a 4K TV, however, we recommend the Premium plan to get the best quality with 4K support for $20/month.

The Netflix app is available on most smart TVs, mobile devices, and streaming players from every major brand. You can also stream the service through most web browsers on PCs, Macs, and laptops.

How many episodes will 'The Crown' season 5 have?

Season five of "The Crown" will consist of 10 episodes. All 10 episodes will hit Netflix at the same time on November 9.

Has 'The Crown' been renewed for more seasons?

"The Crown" has been renewed for a sixth and final season. A release date hasn't been announced, but the sixth season has already begun filming.

Is 'The Crown' a true story?

"The Crown" is inspired by true events, but the show offers a fictionalized dramatization of history.

The show's portrayal of its characters has sparked some controversy following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September. Several figures have criticized the show's accuracy, including Dame Judi Dench and ex-Prime Minister Sir John Major. 

Is 'The Crown' worth watching?

"The Crown" has received critical acclaim since its first season premiered in 2016. The show holds an overall "86% Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes. That said, early reviews for season five are more mixed than previous seasons. As of November 8, season five holds a "69% Fresh" score based on 20 reviews from critics.

The show has also earned several awards over the years, including the Emmy for best drama series for its fourth season.