'Diana' the Musical Is Coming to Netflix Before It Hits Broadway

The world is not over their obsession with Princess Diana. Despite her every move being publicized and scrutinized during her life, the princess's life is being adapted for the stage with the new biopic musical aptly titled Diana.

Following the "People's Princess" through her life and eventual separation from Prince Charles, the reviews are mostly positive, citing its funny nature while handling serious topics. But should you watch it when it hits Netflix?

After the hit musical Hamilton was released for streaming on Disney+, it became clear that there's a place for Broadway musicals on streaming platforms. And it looks like Diana will be next.

While the musical about Princess Diana's life was initially set to make its Broadway debut on March 31, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shuttered the theater industry, postponing its debut until 2021. Now, viewers will be able to stream the entire performance before it hits the stage again.

Diana will be the first show to be made available to the general public before its on-stage premiere. The Netflix adaptation will be filmed with the show's original cast members at the Longacre Theater without a live audience.

“We speak for the entire company when we say that we couldn’t be more excited to finally be able to share our show with theater lovers everywhere,” the show's producers told The Guardian. “Though there is no substitute for the live theater, we are honored to be a part of the quality entertainment that Netflix provides its subscribers worldwide.”

If you're wondering whether or not this will be a musical to see as soon as it reaches the platform, luckily there are already reviews out about the performance. 

The musical originally opened at the La Jolla Playhouse in March 2019, and the cast from the show's first run will appear in the Netflix version. 

Overall, Diana has received mostly positive reviews from viewers, who felt it offered an interesting and "cheeky" take on Diana's life, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The reviews say the production features a swearing Queen Elizabeth, a boxing match between Diana and Prince Charles' mistress, and more sass and snark than one would expect from a production about British royalty.

If you're looking for a quirky take on a piece of history, this musical is definitely one to check out, though it's admittedly not for everyone — especially if you consider yourself familiar with the drama of the royal family.

"But what a musical about the late Princess of Wales does need to try and do is invest us deeply in its version of the show’s complex, troubled subject and her journey, and maybe even show her in a fresh light — admittedly a tall order for someone whose every last blow-dried hair was the subject of media infatuation and saturation," James Hebert writes for the Union-Tribune. 

The show's greatest shortcoming seems to be the lack of depth to Diana's character, something many who attend the show are likely looking for. But if you can push past the surface-level character development of the show's star, reviews say the production is bound to make you laugh — and maybe even watch it all again.