The production company behind Netflix’s “The Crown” is apologizing to its stars after becoming embroiled in a controversy regarding the gender pay gap on the show.
It has been reported that during the first two seasons of the drama about Queen Elizabeth II, star Claire Foy was paid less than co-star Matt Smith despite being the lead character of the show.
RELATED: Netflix Paid ‘The Crown’s Queen Elizabeth, Claire Foy, Less Than Costar Matt Smith
Left Bank Pictures responded Tuesday to the controversy ignited by the reporting, releasing a statement to The Hollywood Reporter apologizing publicly to Foy and Smith.
“We want to apologize to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, brilliant actors and friends, who have found themselves at the centre of a media storm this week through no fault of their own,” the statement read. “Claire and Matt are incredibly gifted actors who, along with the wider cast on ‘The Crown’ have worked tirelessly to bring our characters to life with compassion and integrity.”
“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,” the statement continued.
Left Bank then took responsibility for making the situation right, and fighting for pay equity in the future.
“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,” the statement added. “So, we are now going to be in talks with the TimesUp UK campaign and ERA 50:50; organizations which are working to ensure all women have a voice.”
Foy and Smith will not be returning to “The Crown” for its third season, with the stated plan being to recast the roles every two years to account for characters’ aging.
Actress Olivia Colman has been announced as the next to take on the role of Queen Elizabeth.
