Forget Frank Underwood - the Queen is the next big thing to hit Netflix.

The TV streaming service is planning an epic 20-part drama, The Crown, based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her six decades on the throne.

The project has a forecast budget of £100 million and is inspired by Peter Morgan's play, The Audience, sources told the Daily Mail.

Helen Mirren starred in The Audience, based around the weekly audiences given by the Queen to prime ministers since her accession in 1952. She also teamed up with Morgan as writer to play Britain's monarch in 2006 Oscar-winning film The Queen.

Morgan will be joined by Stephen Daldry, who directed his play The Audience as well as the film Billy Elliot, for the series.

Netflix plans epic royal drama on the life of the Queen