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British actor Claire Foy played the titular role Of Queen Elizabeth in Netflix%u2019s The Crown. She was lauded far and wide for her role as a young Queen in the true story-based series. The series became quite popular not only in the US but also in India. 

Also read: 4 true secrets of Netflix series ‘The Crown’ revealed

However, despite her outstanding performance in the drama series, she was initially paid an embarrassing salary, less than her male co-star Matt Smith, who played the role of her husband Prince Philip.

This secret was revealed when Suzanne Mackie and Andy Harries the producers of The Crown were asked the question at the INTV conference in Jerusalem in 2018. Mackie said, %u201CThe producers acknowledged that [Smith] did make more due to his Doctor Who fame, but that they would rectify that for the future. Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen.%u201D

Also read: The Crown: 5 saddest things about Queen Elizabeth II

Soon when Newsweek reported that Claire would pocket $275,000 in back pay which covered the 20 episodes that were affected, the wage gap was closed. The entire pay scandal came as an embarrassment for the show, given the fact that the series highlights a woman in power. 

In a statement reported by Newsweek, The Crown%u2019s production company, Left Bank Pictures, stated that they held sole responsibility for the salaries. They issued a statement that read: %u201CAs the producers of The Crown we 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 further added, %u201CWe are absolutely united with the fight for fair pay, free of gender bias and for a rebalancing of the industry%u2019s treatment of women in front of the camera and behind the scenes,%u201D as reported by International the News. 

Also read: The Crown: 5 times we felt sorry for Princess Diana

During a panel discussion at CinemaCon 2018, Claire didn%u2019t hold back about her feelings regarding the money scandal, calling the entire ordeal %u201Cembarrassing.%u201D She further said, %u201CI certainly won%u2019t be naive about those things.%u201D

 %u201CIt%u2019s really opened my eyes about what I am allowed to have an opinion about and what I%u2019m allowed to stand up for myself about. And I think that%u2019s really changed my approach to myself and other women in this industry. It%u2019s been only a positive thing%u2014even though, embarrassing.%u201D

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