5 shows to watch while you wait for The Crown season 5

With breathtaking performances, impeccable costuming, and sharp writing, The Crown is one of the most compelling dramas on television. The Crown season 5 is currently in production, and fans can expect to see the next installment — now starring Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth — in November 2022.

But if you can’t wait a whole year to get your next royal fix, don’t worry. Here are five great (pun intended) series to binge in the meantime. Put on your crown, pour yourself a cup of tea (pinky up!), and indulge in one of these compelling shows.

What to watch while you wait for The Crown season 5: The White Queen

Based on the series by Philippa Gregory, The White Queen is a BBC series that takes place during the War of Roses and focuses on three women — Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville — who all manipulate the conflicts behind the scenes in order to gain power. The show was nominated for several Golden Globes and Emmys.

Stream it on: Starz

What to watch while you wait for The Crown season 5: Victoria

Part of PBS’s Masterpiece anthology, Victoria stars Jenna Coleman in the titular role. Like The Crown, this show follows the royal through a large period of her life, from when she ascended the throne at 18 until she approaches her 30s with her husband Albert and six children.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime

What to watch while you wait for The Crown season 5: Reign

Reign stars Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots, as she navigates her rise to power in the French court — and all of the drama (and sometimes romance) that comes with that. The show originally aired on the CW and is known for its soapier, campier take on royal life, so if you’re looking for something fun and unpretentious, this is the series for you.

Stream it on: Netflix

What to watch while you wait for The Crown season 5: The Great

This series stars Elle Fanning as Catherine the Great, who marries the emperor of Russia (played by Nicholas Hoult). The series has serious The Favourite vibes — irreverent, quick-witted, bold — which makes sense, considering creator Tony McNamara wrote the screenplay for it. If you’re looking for anything but your run-of-the-mill period piece, this is it. You’ll be laughing out loud one second, cringing the other, and crying the next. The Great season 1 was nominated for several Emmys, and season 2 premiered on November 19.

Stream it on: Hulu

What to watch while you wait for The Crown season 5: The Tudors

If you’re obsessed with Six the musical, The Tudors is sure to intrigue you. The Tudors centers around King Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for the show during its first season) as well as his wives (including Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn) and children. The series was extremely popular when it first premiered in 2007 — the highest-rated series on Showtime in three years at the time.

Stream it on: Hulu

Which show will you be streaming? Comment below!