Netflix series “The Crown” will indefinitely pause production following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, writes streaming columnist NICK OVERALL. It comes weeks before the highly anticipated fifth season releases on the streaming platform, with a premiere date set for November.

THE sixth season of “The Crown”, which is currently in production, will pause filming for an undisclosed time in what Netflix has described as its own version of “Operation London Bridge”.

In a statement to “Deadline”, creator of “The Crown” Peter Morgan said the hiatus would be done “out of respect” for the Queen.

He described the series as a “love letter” to her. 

“I’ve nothing to add for now, just silence and respect,” he said.

The series which swept last year’s Emmy awards with 11 wins is one of the most expensive TV shows ever produced, costing more than $US100 million a season.

It’s not only become one of the most popular shows ever made, but one that has shaped new perceptions around the history of the Royal Family.

While some of the monarchy have vocally disapproved of the drama, the Queen herself was reported to have enjoyed it, with rumours there were private screenings organised for some members of her inner circle on Saturday nights.

Viewership of the show will undoubtedly increase in the wake of her passing – a time more important than ever to remember much of its depiction of history is embellished.

Morgan himself openly admits he comes at the show from a mix of fact and fiction, in his own words saying that people “don’t want historic regurgitation but acts of imagination”.

Using a foundation of research, he says the writers attempt to imagine what the royals “might have been thinking or feeling” in certain scenarios.

The legacy of the show will therefore be in the hands of the viewers to decide how much it should be held up as an authentic and meaningful re-telling of Elizabeth’s life.

Morgan was also behind the 2006 film “The Queen” (on Binge) which starred Helen Mirren as Elizabeth in a performance that saw her win the Oscar for best actress.

The Queen herself was so moved by the performance she personally invited Mirren to Buckingham Palace for dinner. 

In a statement following the Queen’s death, Mirren said she was proud to call herself “of the Elizabethan age”.

“If there was a definition of nobility, Elizabeth Windsor embodied it,” she said.

Since “The Crown” first started in 2016, Queen Elizabeth has been portrayed by three different actresses.

Claire Foy played a young Elizabeth in the first two seasons, much of which were set while she was still a Princess. 

Olivia Colman took over the role for the third and fourth seasons which saw a more mature Elizabeth reign throughout Harold Wilson’s and Edward Heath’s time as Britain’s Prime Minister.

Come November, Imelda Staunton will step into the role to play the Queen during the 1990s, a dedace which represented one of the most tempestuous times for the monarchy in recent decades.

Netflix is yet to release any footage of the new season. It’s likely that its marketing, and perhaps even the show itself, is undergoing strict tonal editing given much of the world will still be mourning Her Majesty.

For those who are looking for a more true-to-life account of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, there are some great documentaries available to stream.

Netflix offers “Elizabeth and Margaret: Love and Loyalty”, an examination of the widely misunderstood relationship between the royal sisters.

Stan has “Elizabeth II: The Making of a Queen”, which takes things back to 1952 when 25-year-old Elizabeth was first crowned and became the most famous person in the world.

Available on ABC iView until September 22 (and searchable on Youtube) is a particularly unique offering called “Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen” – an intimate look at her life through a previously unseen collection of her home movies.

All of this is, of course, only scratching the surface of the screen depictions of Elizabeth II’s life. It’s just one one of many signs that the fascination with, and admiration of the royal matriarch will go on long after her passing.