Claire Foy ruled as Queen Elizabeth II on Netflix’s The Crown, but when it came to paychecks, her co-star Matt Smith took home the crown. Back when the series first launched, fans were stunned to learn that Smith, who played Prince Philip, earned more than Foy, despite her leading role and Emmy-winning performance. 

The news sparked a major conversation about gender pay gaps in Hollywood, especially considering Foy’s central presence in the show. While producers later reportedly apologized and compensated her retroactively, the damage was already done. 

Matt Smith was paid more than Claire Foy in Netflix’s The Crown

Claire Foy and Matt Smith in The Crown | Credits: Sony Pictures Television

Claire Foy wore the crown, but Matt Smith made more bank. When The Crown launched back in 2016, fans assumed Foy (playing Queen Elizabeth II) was the top earner. However, Smith, as Prince Philip, was the one who cashed the bigger checks. The reason: His Doctor Who fame.

Producers at the Left Bank confirmed the pay gap during a panel at the INTV Conference in Jerusalem. “Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen,” said creative director Suzanne Mackie, per Variety. A retroactive adjustment was reportedly made, but the backlash was already global.

Foy’s performance was front and center, critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated, and the emotional anchor of the show. Yet she was earning less than her on-screen husband. For two full seasons.

Related: Netflix’s The Crown Exposed Charles’ Cruel Narcissistic Rage at Diana’s Most Genuine Moment

With The Crown moving into new eras, the production faced fresh challenges. Seasons 3 and 4 introduced an entirely new cast, including Olivia Colman as the Queen and Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret. Matt Smith’s replacement as Philip remained a mystery at the time.

However, the pay gap wasn’t the only issue. The show’s massive budget, £5 million per episode, faced pressure as Netflix struck high-profile deals elsewhere. 

Despite it all, The Crown remained a global hit. And while Claire Foy may not have been paid her worth at first, her legacy reshaped pay parity talk in Hollywood. 

Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II still hits different

Claire Foy in a still from The Crown | Credits: Sony Pictures Television

Claire Foy’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown still feels like quite an inspiration, especially for women like me, who’re carving their space in a world that loves to doubt them.

When the series first dropped eight years ago, I was a teen, simply pulled in by the royal glamour and historical drama. But as I entered adult life and rewatched the show again, it started speaking to me differently.

Related: An Awful Fake-Tan Almost Cost Vanessa Kirby Her Life-Changing ‘The Crown’ Role Before Fantastic Four Fame

Foy’s Queen is iconic, yes, but she’s relatable. A 25-year-old handed the weight of an empire, surrounded by men waiting for her to fail. That quiet strength? That need to prove herself time and again? Way too real.

And when her voice finally breaks through, especially in that face-off with Churchill, it’s electric. That’s every ambitious woman learning how to own the room.

But what really stays with me is her juggling act. Career, family, expectations, guilt – it’s this emotional toll that hits hardest. The Crown isn’t just about the monarchy. Through Claire Foy, it becomes a mirror for every woman finding her power. 

Watch The Crown on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire