Two producers of Netflix's The Crown admitted at the INTV Conference in Jerusalem Tuesday that lead actor Claire Foy was paid less than Matt Smith the two seasons they played Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the Golden Globe–winning drama.
While Smith was an established lead, having been the 11th Doctor on BBC's Doctor Who, the show is centered on Foy's character, Queen Elizabeth II, who is still the highest-ranking sovereign in the UK.
Given the recent conversations about pay equity in Hollywood, with stories of actors like Tracee Ellis Ross and Michelle Williams allegedly fighting for equal pay, there was some outrage on Twitter over Foy making less than her male costar.
Sorrry? Matt Smith got paid more than Claire Foy for the Crown??? Fucking outrageous. The bloody cheek, she was playing THE QUEEN, the fucking character the program was ABOUT! https://t.co/EYVVX4vRJe
Claire Foy CARRIED your show on her shoulders oh my GOD PAY HER WHAT SHE DESERVES
Peter Morgan CLEARLY believed Philip was an equal lead. I disagree. But whatever. You pay for your star. But it became so immediately clear that SHE was the star -- she was the breakout! The show speaks for itself! -- and she should've been rewarded.
The Crown producers Suzanne Mackie and Andy Harries on Tuesday also promised pay equity on the show from now on. “Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen,” Mackie said. However, that means nothing for Foy, who is being replaced by Olivia Colman in Season 3 of the Netflix series.
