Just last week, Netflix show, 'The Crown' was criticised for paying Matt Smith a higher salary than that of Claire Foy, despite the latter being the star of the series. Now, Left Bank Pictures, the producers of the show, who are in charge of budgets and salaries for the production, have released an official apology to the cast.
"We want to apologise to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, brilliant actors and friends, who have found themselves at the center of a media storm this week through no fault of their own", began the statement. "The actors are not aware of who gets what and cannot be held personally responsible for the pay of their colleagues", it continued.
It all started when the producers for the show revealed that Smith earned more due to his popularity after his stint on 'Doctor Who'. Since then, Suzanne Mackie, a co-producer has stated "Going forward, no one gets paid more than the Queen".
Despite the promise for equal pay in the future, the rule won't affect Foy, for she and Smith are both leaving the show to be replaced by older talents as the storyline takes a time jump. Olivia Colman will play the Queen from season 3 onwards, the actor behind Prince Phillip is still unknown.
The promise of equal pay
An apology isn't the only thing Left Bank Pictures released, for, they also took the opportunity to address the bigger picture: "We understand and appreciate the conversation which is rightly being played out across society and we are absolutely united with the fight for fair pay, free of gender bias, and for a rebalancing of the industry's treatment of women , both those in front of the camera and for those behind the scenes".
