Producers of Netflix's, The Crown, are apologizing for paying Matt Smith, who plays Prince Phillip, a higher salary than Claire Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth, for the first two seasons of the series.
"We want to apologize to both Claire Foy and Matt Smith, brilliant actors, and friends, who have found themselves at the center of a media storm this week through no fault of their own," stated Left Bank Pictures.
The statement continued: "As the producers of The Crown, we at Left Bank Pictures are responsible for budgets and salaries; the actors are not aware of who gets what and cannot be held personally responsible for the pay of their colleagues."
Photo Credit: IMDbMatt Smith in The Crown.
The production company continued: "We understand and appreciate the conversation which is rightly being played out across society and we are absolutely united with the fight for fair pay, free of gender bias, and for a rebalancing of the industry’s treatment of women, both those in front of the camera and for those behind the scenes.
"We all have a responsibility to do what we can to ensure that these issues are tackled, and as a leading production company we want to make our contribution to the debate."
Photo Credit: IMDbClaire Foy in The Crown.
The company added that its "keen to talk to Time's Up UK" going forward.
The news broke on March 13 during a panel discussion at the Innovative TV Conference (NTV) in Jerusalem when The Crown's executive director, Suzanne Mackie, revealed the information to Deadline's Peter White.
Going forward, "no one will earn more than the Queen". Talent pay equality coming to The Crown. #intv2018
— Manori R. (@manori_r) March 13, 2018
"Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen," said Mackie, Left Bank creative director and executive producer at the INTV Conference Jerusalem.
We’re going behind the scenes of the Royals now! The fabulous production team behind @thecrownnetflix Martin Child, @andy_harries & Suzanne Mackie take the stage to speak to @peterzwhite @deadline for our final session pic.twitter.com/2pjWLIWV3O
— intv (@intvconference) March 13, 2018
Photo Credit: IMDbClaire Foy and Matt Smith in The Crown.
According to Mackie, Smith's previous credits of three seasons with Doctor Who fueled the wage disparity.
For her portrayal of the Queen, Foy has earned an Emmy in 2017, two Golden Globe for Best Actress, both in 2017 and 2018, as well as two Screen Actors Guild awards for Outstanding Performance in 2017 and 2018.
The show's budget is said to be about CAD $9 million per episode.
Left Bank is gearing up for seasons three and four of the series and is expected to start in July with a 1963 timeline.
In the fall of 2017, producers of The Crown announced Claire Foy would be replaced by a new queen, played by Olivia Coleman, in season three in order to more accurately age the queen. Prince Phillip will be replaced as well, but the actor has not yet been announced.
