Prepare the tea: You can now get unprecedented access behind the scenes of The Crown with The Crown: The Official Podcast which has returned alongside the fifth season of the royal drama.

Bowman speaks with the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, Imelda Staunton, about taking on the iconic role (and the breathtaking handmade costumes) this season; Elizabeth Debicki about playing Princess Diana during the royals’ most tumultuous era; and Dominic West about portraying Prince Charles as he prepares for his own eventual ascension to the crown. 

And then there’s Bowman’s chat with the mastermind behind the series, Peter Morgan, who speaks about how the series has evolved over five seasons, starting with Claire Foy and Matt Smith playing Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Season 1 and broadening out to the entire royal family. Bowman also speaks with the show’s head of research, Annie Sulzberger, about the real history behind The Crown. 

Follow and subscribe to The Crown: The Official Podcast on all platforms to get all the secrets from the show beginning Nov. 9. New episodes will be released bi-weekly throughout November and December. 

Episode 1: “Queen Victoria Syndrome”

In the Season 5 premiere episode of The Crown: The Official Podcast, host Edith Bowman talks to creator Peter Morgan, director and executive producer Jessica Hobbs, head of research Annie Sulzberger and Imelda Staunton, who plays the final iteration of Queen Elizabeth II. Go behind the scenes of Season 5, Episode 1, as they introduce the season’s new cast and the royal family’s transition into the ’90s.  

Episode 2: “The System” 

What’s it like walking in Prince Philip’s shoes? Movement coach and choreographer Polly Bennett explains how she helps actors take on the physical habits of the characters they play, while actor Jonathan Pryce tells host Edith Bowman about making the role his own. Plus, stay tuned for director and executive producer Jessica Hobbs and head of research Annie Sulzberger, who break down how the show approaches the real events depicted in Episode 2 of The Crown Season 5.  

Episode 3: “Mou Mou”

In Episode 3 of The Crown, an outsider strives to become the ultimate royal insider. “Mou Mou” jumps back to Egypt circa 1946, where a young Mohamed al-Fayed catches a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, sparking a fascination that will last a lifetime. Host Edith Bowman talks to Salim Daw, who portrays al-Fayed as he builds an empire that he hopes will give him the access he craves. You’ll also hear from writer Peter Morgan, director Alex Gabassi and head of research Annie Sulzberger.

Episode 4: “Annus Horribilis”

1992 marks Queen Elizabeth’s (Imelda Staunton) 40th year on the throne. But rather than an occasion for royal festivities, the milestone is marred by scandal after scandal, as the monarch watches three of her four children separate or divorce and Windsor Castle suffers a devastating fire. In this episode of The Crown: The Official Podcast, Edith Bowman talks to director May el-Toukhy and head of research Annie Sulzberger about “Annus Horribilis,” while Lesley Manville breaks down Princess Margaret’s complicated relationship with her regal sister.   

Episode 5: “The Way Ahead”

With his separation from Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) now official, Prince Charles (Dominic West) wants to show the people what he is capable of as heir to the throne. But he faces a major setback when a very private phone call with Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams) is recorded and leaked to the press, sparking a major scandal. Still, Charles is determined to move forward with his plans to modernize the monarchy. Meanwhile, Diana dresses for revenge. In this episode of The Crown: The Official Podcast, host Edith Bowman speaks to West about his transformation into Charles, and hears from writer Peter Morgan, episode director May el-Toukhy and researcher Annie Sulzberger to break down “The Way Ahead.”

Episode 6: “Ipatiev House”

What really happened to the Romanovs? It’s the question at the center of Season 5, Episode 6 as The Crown unpacks a historical mystery. The action begins in 1917, when the tsar and his family are brutally murdered by the Bolsheviks after King George V refuses to grant them asylum, fearing the rise of socialism in Britain. When the USSR collapses, and the Romanov graves are eventually discovered, scientists turn to the royal family — specifically Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce) — for help identifying the remains as their closest living relatives. This unearths a dormant interest in Philip, who decides to seek out the truth about what happened to his family — and gets an uncomfortable answer. In this episode of The Crown: The Official Podcast, Edith Bowman talks with director Christian Schwochow, head of production design Martin Childs and head of research Annie Sulzberger as they attempt to untangle European royal family trees. 

Episode 7: “No Woman’s Land”

In Episode 7 of The Crown, Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) finds herself in an unusual position. She’s not quite married, but not quite single, not quite royal but not quite normal either. Hence “No Woman’s Land,” which depicts Diana’s existence in a precarious state of limbo after her separation from Charles (Dominic West). It’s during this lonely period that she meets  Dr. Hasnat Khan (Humayun Saeed), a Pakistani heart surgeon who has the potential to mend hers. Meanwhile, her growing frustration with royal conventions makes her vulnerable to the approach of BBC journalist Martin Bashir (Prasanna Puwanarajah)), who wants an interview for his Panorama program. In this episode of The Crown: The Official Podcast, host Edith Bowman talks to Elizabeth Debicki, costume designers Amy Roberts and Sidonie Roberts, head researcher Annie Sulzberger, and director Erik Richter Strand about Diana’s search for freedom. 

 Episode 8: “Gunpowder”

Like the royal family, the BBC faces a major shift in Episode 8, as the old and new guard face off over Princess Diana’s explosive “Panorama” interview with Martin Bashir. This comes as Queen Elizabeth  (Imelda Staunton) herself is reassessing her relationship with technology, helped along by Prince William (Senan West), whose attendance at nearby Eton means the two can spend more time together. In this episode, Edith Bowman continues her discussion with Director Erik Richter-Strand, and talks with Archive Producer Victoria Stable, head of research Annie Sulzberger, and the actor portraying Martin Bashir, Prasanna Puwanarajah. 

 Episode 9: “Couple 31”

In the aftermath of Princess Diana’s bombshell Panorama interview, Queen Elizabeth finally grants her permission to the Wales divorce. The two embark in tense negotiations, with Prime Minister John Major acting as an intermediary. Meanwhile, Prince Charles (Dominic West) hires a press advisor to help spin his ongoing relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles, whose life has taken a turn for the worse in the aftermath of Diana’s interview. In this episode of The Crown: The Official Podcast, Edith Bowman dissects Episode 9, “Couple 31,” with executive producer Suzanne Mackie, head of research Annie Sulzberger, director Christian Schwochow and the actor who plays Camilla Parker-Bowles, Olivia Williams. 

Episode 10: “Decommissioned”

Winds of change are blowing through Season 5, Episode 10 as New Labour leader Tony Blair (Bertie Carvel) wins the 1997 election, taking over from John Major (Jonny Lee Miller) as Prime Minister. While Charles (Dominic West) sees this as an opportunity to modernize the monarchy, Queen Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton) is devastated to learn that this means the end for her beloved royal yacht Brittania. The ship is to be decommissioned, and she bids adieu to the vessel in a heartbreaking scene. For Diana (Elizabeth Debicki), the season finale ends on a bittersweet note when she accepts an offer from Mohamed al-Fayed (Salim Daw) to join him and his family on holiday in Saint-Tropez. In the final installment of The Crown: The Official podcast host Edith Bowman talks to Peter Morgan, head of research Annie Sulzberger, director Alex Gabassi and Elizabeth Debicki for a look back at Season 5.