Reportedly the most expensive series to be shot for Netflix, The Crown is a lavish period piece based on true events. The Crown gives viewers a fascinating look into historical events while also providing a peek into the often-scandalous lives of the royal family. (Yes, the royal family made headlines long before the additions of Kate and Meghan, although it might be difficult to remember a time before they dominated the news.)

Part of the genius of The Crown is the way it portrays a fictionalized version of the royal family's inner lives, while refusing to stray far from real-life events. Watershed moments, like the famous 1961 meeting between Queen Elizabeth II and Jackie Kennedy, are depicted faithfully on the show, at times with an extra layer of "Did that just happen?" (No, Elizabeth and Jackie weren't at each other's throats in real life, although they may not have been the absolute best of friends.)

The performances on The Crown are consistently its most impressive aspect, and it can feel near-impossible to watch the series without constantly reaching for your phone to look up more information on the characters who populate the show. To make matters easier, here’s a guide to all the major figures, paired side by side with their real-life counterparts, as they appear in season 3. The major characters of the show are being portrayed by brand-new actors this season, with Olivia Colman taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Claire Foy and Helena Bonham Carter stepping in as her sister, Princess Margaret.

Claire Foy as a younger Queen Elizabeth II