This part was just on loan: Claire Foy on working on season 2 of 'The Crown'

Claire Foy’s riveting portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II not only got her a Golden Globe Award, but it also won her fans across the globe. The second season of The Crown, which will be launched on Netflix globally on December 8, will see her return once more as Elizabeth II Regina. The series is intended to span over six seasons and cover the Queen’s entire life. However, Claire will be giving away her crown to Olivia Colman from season three. During her reign as the Queen, the actress has had a dream run. Here she talks about wearing the crown, the pressures of the job, and her own viewing preferences.

The show was widely-appreciated during and after the first season. Was there pressure to match up, when you shot the second season?

I think it’s a different kind of pressure. More than any stress, it was about wanting to get it right, wanting to make it the best it could be. Whenever you are doing something new, there’s that feeling that it might not catch on; it might not get the audience that you really want when you are making something that you love. Even the second time around, that pressure is still there, but it’s the type where you don’t want to become complacent, or you don’t want to take it for granted that people will like the show as much as they did previously. You want to surprise people and learn something yourself.

Which aspect of the protagonist you’re essaying — the Queen — do you relate to the most?

I think, (I) relate to the idea that (she is) damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. In life, that’s something, especially when the older you get and the more responsibilities that you have and you become a mother or a parent, you realise that you are never going to get it just right. You are always going to get something wrong. It’s about picking your battles and being able to let go of things that you know you can’t change or do as well as you would like. As long as you accept that you have done the best, then it’s alright. And I think that’s what she does. She has to prioritise different things in her life.

From the third season onwards, Olivia Colman will be playing the part. How easy or difficult was it to let go of the role?

I have subconsciously always known that I won’t be playing this character forever. There wasn’t much letting go to be done in reality. I think the thing for me is that I will miss everybody who makes the show, everybody who is involved with it because we have become really close. But the part wasn’t mine. It never was... it was just on loan and I can’t wait to see what Olivia does (with the role). It’s exciting for a show to go on, evolve, and change. I am just grateful to have had the opportunity to play this part.

It’s said that the best talent — whether in acting, direction or writing department — is on television and streaming channels right now. What are your thoughts on it?

I think, unfortunately, in this day and age, many times, creative industries bear the brunt of cuts and changes, and I think streaming companies like Netflix understand that content is the most important thing.

If you make something that resonates with people and is unique, different and original, that is what will make people watch. It is not about trying to appeal to the masses. It’s not about making something for every single person. It’s about making something that is really amazing and great, and let creative people in charge of the decision. I know that’s the model at Netflix. You can see that from the content that they produce... they give the writers and directors freeway, and that’s very rare. It’s brave and it’s the right way to go, trusting these people to make things that people will want to watch.

Streaming channels have changed the way the audience consumes content, is it equally exciting for you as an actor to have access to an audience from across the world?

I think it’s very rare that you do something and it gets viewed by that many people. Even if you do a movie, it will never have that outreach. It will never be seen by that many people. It’s extraordinary to me that so many people from so many walks of life can come together and watch the same TV programme. That to me is very special, I have never been in anything like that. I am very proud of the show. I think it wasn’t for such a high-quality beautifully made show for television. It’s amazing that it’s been seen by that many people.

What kind of TV shows or movies do you watch?

I love documentaries. When I am working, I find it very difficult to involve fictionally with anything else. And so, I love documentaries so much, I am very grateful for documentary filmmakers. I can’t get enough of them.

Is there any other character from the royal family, besides the Queen, you find interesting.

I think Princess Margaret is a very fascinating character. Kings and Queens are fascinating and an incredible attraction to the society and the history of a country.