It’s been over a year since the last season of The Crown arrived on Netflix, airing just after Queen Elizabeth II’s death. Since then, Prince Harry came out with his tell-all memoir, the documentary series Harry & Meghan was released, and Charles III and Camilla were crowned king and queen. In other words: 2023 wasn’t exactly short of publicity for the royals. In Season Five, we were left with Diana packing her bags, preparing for a trip to Saint-Tropez on Mohamed Al Fayed’s yacht. We remember the photos of the Princess, William, and Harry on this vacation. We know where the story is going. And yet, if The Crown continues to find new ways to retell the Windsor tale—and if Elizabeth Debicki, Imelda Staunton, and Dominic West can match their prior performances—it doesn’t matter if the plot is well known. The drama remains. —Jack Sullivan

Part one of The Crown’ssixth season will be released on November 16. Part two will be released on December 14