The Crown’s Gillian Anderson splits from the Netflix drama’s creator after 4 years together

Gillian Anderson first joined the cast of Netflix’s The Crown Season 4 as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. 

Since the series premiered, Anderson has received praise for her performance. Even Margaret Thatcher’s biographer, whilst reportedly criticising some elements of the show’s depiction of her, praised Anderson’s ability to show the “determination” Margaret Thatcher had.

But whilst Anderson worked brilliantly with her partner, the show’s creator Peter Morgan, to create this compelling latest season, it seems their personal relationship has come to an end. 

It is now understood that she and Morgan have called time on their relationship after 4 years. 

Why have Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan split up?

Whilst Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan have not yet officially commented on the news, the Daily Mail reports that the relationship had simply “run its course” and this was "not helped by various work commitments and family logistics". 

The publication also suggests that the former power couple have remained “great friends” despite their break up. Both Anderson and Morgan have children from previous relationships. 

Morgan was previously married to Lila Schwarzenberg and has five children with her. Whilst Anderson shares a daughter with ex-husband Clyde Klotz and two sons with her ex-partner Mark Griffiths. 

How long had Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan been together?

Reports that Anderson had found love with Peter first emerged in 2016. She was supposedly overheard telling friends she and Peter were in a relationship when attending a party in New York with him to promote The Crown. 

How did Gillian and Peter work together on The Crown?

Whilst The Crown Season 4 has attracted some questions over its use of dramatic license, there’s no doubt it has captivated viewers. Anderson’s performance has been acclaimed and she previously opened up to Harper’s Bazaar about what it was really like working alongside her partner.

She said: “I smiled at [Morgan], as me, Gillian, smiling at her boyfriend, and he said, ‘This is Thatcher! This smile is Thatcher!’... And I’m like, no! This smile is me!’"

Anderson went on to explain that they tried to keep things as professional as possible. The star revealed: “For our own sanity, and actually for the benefit of the relationship, we had very clear boundaries”.

She suggested that among them was the point that Anderson and Peter Morgan would not pass comment on each other’s roles. 

Anderson said: “I am not going to comment on the script, but you are not allowed to comment on the performance!”

Why didn’t Gillian Anderson and Peter Morgan live together? 

The sad news of their break up comes after Anderson also revealed in January to The Times that it 'would be the end' of her relationship with her screenwriter partner if they ever moved in together and that she preferred the pair of them living in separate homes.

Anderson revealed at the time that: “It works so well as it is, it feels so special when we do come together”. When they are apart, she said: “I start to miss the person I want to be with, which is a lovely feeling.

She explained that by not living together, she and Morgan never felt there was something “locking [them] in”. Nor did they have to fear how they would work things out if they were ever to split up. Anderson said they never had to consider the idea: “I can't leave because what will happen to the house, how will we separate?''

Now The Crown’s star and creator are reported to have parted ways, we wish them the best of luck for the future.

The Crown Season 4 is available on Netflix.