COUNTLESS BRITISH period dramas are based on royalty, or at least depict aristocracy. From The Duchess starring Keira Knightley as Georgiana Spencer, to The Other Boleyn Girl with Natalie Portman as King Henry VIII’s most famous (and ill-fated) wife, Anne Boleyn.

Even the fictionalised, Gwyneth Paltrow-fronted Shakespeare in Love saw a fantastic Judy Dench play Queen Elizabeth I in a few memorable scenes. As for Queen Elizabeth II, less biopics have been made about her — perhaps due to her visibility and prominence in modern society. The Crown creator Peter Morgan previously revealed he had a “20-year-rule” when it came to adapting historical moments.

“That is enough time and enough distance to really understand something, to understand its role, to understand its position, to understand its relevance,” Morgan told The Hollywood Reporter.

Whereas other directors may have been apprehensive to chronicle the Queen’s life as she continued to rule the UK. But since Buckingham Palace announced the death of the 96-year-old Queen on September 8, it’s likely more filmmakers may place a lens on one of Britain’s most successful monarchs.

But until fresh features are released, BAZAAR has rounded up some of the most insightful films, television shows and documentaries about Queen Elizabeth II to help you consider her extraordinary 70-year legacy. Unsurprisingly, season one of The Crown has already hit Netflix’s top 10 in the week since her passing.

This excerpt has been republished from Hayley Peppin's article for Harper's BAZAAR Australia.

CLICK HERE for the original article that lists the seven best biopics and documentaries about Queen Elizabeth II.