John Lithgow dad-jokes that Netflix 'sold the crown jewels' to make 'The Crown'

LOS ANGELES -- When The Crown creator Peter Morgan looked to American actors in search of their Winston Churchill, many had their doubts.

After all, Churchill is one of England's most iconic political figures -- and the series is all about the rise of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy).

But turns out the right actor -- and a stellar fat suit -- can do wonders.

"You would think it would be a difficult decision, but I was saying yes halfway through the conversation with my agent," John Lithgow told Mashable about tackling the role in the show, which debuted on Netflix on Friday.

The award-winning actor was drawn to Churchill's "fascinating character," as well as the existing team on board for the project including Morgan (writer and executive producer), Stephen Daldry (director), Andy Morgan (producer) and of course the entire cast.

The 10-episode series follows the behind-the-scenes life of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning at age 25 after she marries Prince Philip (Matt Smith aka the former Doctor Who). But after her father King George VI (Jared Harris) dies, the newlywed must take the throne.

Casting director Nina Gold had convinced Morgan to cast Lithgow among a stellar group of Brits. An idea Morgan described as "fresh and daring."

“There’s a point where every Knight of the Realm does his Winston Churchill,” Morgan told reporters during the show's Television Critics Association presentation. So among the British acting community, there was a "little bit of Churchill fatigue.”

Lithgow said he prepared by reading historian William Manchester three volume biography of Churchill. He also, of course, studied Churchill's speeches, some of which he acts out during the series.

As far as the physical transformation, Lithgow credits the hair, make-up and costume teams.

"I had the fat suit, and they made my collars really tight so I could slouch a bit," he said. "I’m about 14 inches taller than he was, so I simply thought small."

Like Lithgow, other cast members were also drawn to the strong script.

"When you are given an opportunity to go inside and inhabit that world from a dramatic point of view, you see it from a different perspective," Harris told Mashable at TCA. "It's exciting. This type of show hasn't been done."

Vanessa Kirby, who plays Princess Margaret, said the role also helped her better understand the Royal Family.

"The Royal family is on a global stage," Kirby told Mashable. "You forget they are humans, a family ... [This show] is a look into a world in which none of us know about really."

Working on a Netflix project was an added draw, especially given the show's dedication to quality production. The streaming service reportedly spent a record $130 million to make the series.

"They sold the crown jewels to produce it," Lithgow joked.

But the costly price tag has seemingly paid off, with many critics labeling the series the streaming service's new "jewel."