The Queen(2009)

The Queen is a 2009 British drama-documentary that traces Queen Elizabeth II across five decades of her life. Broadcast on Channel 4 over five consecutive nights beginning November 29, 2009, the series employs a rotating cast of actresses to portray the monarch at different ages: Emilia Fox, Samantha Bond, Susan Jameson, Barbara Flynn, and Diana Quick each take the throne for one episode. Katie McGrath appears as Princess Margaret in the opening installment, while Lesley Manville portrays Margaret Thatcher in the third. The innovative structure allows viewers to witness the Queen's evolution from her early years through major historical moments, examining her personal struggles alongside her public duties. Co-funded by ABC, which broadcast the series in the United States, The Queen offers an intimate look at one of history's most scrutinized figures during pivotal periods of her reign and the nation's transformation.