Hollywood is rushing to cover former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s fall from grace over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, and Netflix is at the forefront.
The streamer is reportedly reviving the Emmy-winning royal drama “The Crown” for a potential limited series about Mountbatten-Windsor’s public disgrace, the Daily Mail reported.
“The events of last week are historic and unprecedented,” a source told the outlet, referring to the former prince’s arrest on February 19.
“There have been discussions for some time with Left Bank Pictures, which owns the rights to The Crown, about a series of one-off specials about royal scandal and drama,” the source continued.
“The Crown as a series has ended, but the name remains. There have been preliminary discussions to create a limited series under the Crown banner that would be as dramatic, if not more dramatic, than the Andrew saga depicted in the original series, including episodes about the abdication and death of Princess Diana.”
The Crown aired for six seasons on Netflix from November 4, 2016 to December 14, 2023, and won a total of 21 Emmy Awards during its run.
In addition to Netflix, Disney Studios and Amazon MGM are also said to be considering producing projects surrounding the Mountbatten-Windsor scandal.
“There’s a rush of screenwriters wanting to bring this story, and the race is on in Hollywood to be the first studio to bring out an Andrew movie,” another Disney studio source told the publication.
Screenwriter Jeremy Bulloch, who wrote Amazon MGM Studios’ “The Very Royal Scandal,” echoed both sources’ claims, telling the outlet that Netflix and Amazon are “100 percent” in talks to produce a drama based on Scandal.
Netflix did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last Thursday, on what would have been his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in office for allegedly forwarding confidential trade documents to Mr Epstein.
The arrest came a month after anti-monarchy campaigner Graham Smith reported Mountbatten-Windsor to Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to life in prison.
After staying in jail for 11 hours, during which time the royal was photographed, fingerprinted and provided a saliva sample for DNA testing – he was released and was captured looking frightened as he was leaving.
Following his brother’s arrest, King Charles issued a statement expressing “deep concern” over the charges.
“Let me be clear: the law should move in that direction,” the monarch said. “As this process continues, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on this matter. In the meantime, my family and I will continue our duty and service to you.”
Following his arrest, the British government is reportedly considering whether to introduce legislation to remove Andrew from the throne.
