Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth and Dominic West as Prince Charles.Photo: Netflix
Get to know the new roundup of royals!
Netflix’s fifth season ofThe Crownis releasing soon and an entirely new crop of talent is stepping into the royal roles ahead of its Nov. 9 premiere.
The season 5storyline may focus in part on 1992, which the Queen declared to be an “annus horribilis” (Latin for “horrible year”). It was the year in which three of her four children were separated from their spouses and a devastating fire hit Windsor Castle.
ImeldaStaunton, who embodiesQueen ElizabethinThe Crown’s fifth installment, was the first cast member to be announced in January 2020.Olivia Colman, who iconically portrayed the royal in the season prior andwon an Emmy Award for her work, kindly praised the newcomer, saying Staunton has “already got a much better walk than me.”
Keep scrolling to see everyone who’s cast inThe Crownseason 5.
Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II
Netflix; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Staunton, known for her work asDolores Umbridgein theHarry Potterfilms and Lady Bagshaw inDownton Abbey, playsQueen ElizabethII in the fifth installment ofThe Crown. She succeedsClaire Foyand Colman, who played younger versions of the monarch in the seasons prior.
Staunton’s portrayal of the Queen is different from seasons past because she’s playing a more contemporary version, an aspect that the actresshas previously described as an “extra challenge"since she’s “the Queen that we’re a little more familiar with.”
Thefirst-look photoof Staunton in character was released in July 2021. Since then, the streamer has releaseda handful of official season 5 imagesrevealing the new cast in their respective characters.
Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Jonathan Pryce; Prince Philip.Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Jonathan Pryce, known for his work onGame of ThronesandPirates of the Caribbean, plays Elizabeth’s husband,Prince Philip, inThe Crownseason 5. He succeeds Tobias Menzies andMatt Smithwho embodied the Duke of Edinburgh in seasons prior.
The royal role marks the actor’s second time working with Netflix, following his stint inThe Two Popes. Pryce previously told Netflix that his previous experience has given him “the confidence to tacklethe daunting prospect of portraying Prince Philip.”
One year after thecasting decision was announced, Pryce was seen on set in character. He wasspotted filming carriage driving scenes, one of Prince Philip’s favorite activities. Philip picked up carriage driving in the 1970s and competed in the sport for many years, continuing to do it well into his retirement from royal life.
Dominic West as Prince Charles
Dominic West; Prince Charles.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images; Samir Hussein/WireImage
Dominic West, best known for his lead roles on shows such asThe WireandThe Affair, playsPrince Charles(now King Charles III) inThe Crownseason 5. He is the eldest of Elizabeth andPrince Philip’s children and the heir apparent. He succeedsJosh O’Connorwho played the future king in seasons 3 and 4.
When West first learned he nabbed the part, he “kept telling the producers that they had cast the wrong person” because he “didn’t look anything like [King Charles].” This he knew for a fact sincehe had previously met the royal himselfin real-life!
The new season ofThe Crownwill explore the dissolution of Princess Diana andPrince Charles' marriage. Theofficial season 5 trailerfeatures a voiceover fromQueen Elizabethsumming up the year that saw their separation.
Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana
Keith Bernstein/Netflix, Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Season 4 left off as Charles and Diana reached an irreparable breaking point in their marriage. Now, the new season will explore the dissolution of their marriage. Netflix sharedan official first lookof Debicki as the princess opposite West as Charles on Aug. 17.
The Australian actressdescribed the roleas an honor: “Princess Diana’s spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many. It is my true privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.”
Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles
Camilla Parker Bowles and Olivia Williams.Splash; Mrs E Wilson/Shutterstock
Olivia Williams, known for her work inThe FatherandRushmore,plays Camilla Parker Bowles(now Camilla, Queen Consort), wife of Charles in season 5 ofThe Crown. The British actress succeedsEmerald Fennell, who played the role of Camilla in seasons three and four.
In February,images were captured of Williams dressed the parton set, bearing a striking resemblance to the futureDuchess of Cornwall. Wearing a long green coat, the actress sported Camilla’s signature bob cut.
Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
“I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret. The baton is being passed on from two formidable actresses and I really don’t want to let the side down,” Manville said ina quote shared onThe Crown’s Twitter account.
Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne
Claudia Harrison, known for her roles inThe IT CrowdandThe Cat’s Meow, playsPrincess Anne, Elizabeth and Philip’s second child and only daughter inThe Crown’s fifth season. The actress succeedsErin Doherty, who played the monarch’s daughter in seasons 3 and 4.
In August 2021,Harrison was spotted filming scenesfor the royal drama in Scotland alongside Staunton. The actresses both wore headscarves as they filmed on a boat. Since then, Netflix has released an official first-look photo ofthe actress in character laughing at a party.
Johnny Lee Miller as former Prime Minister John Major
Netflix, Fiona Hanson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty
Johnny Lee Miller, known for his roles inHackersand BBC’sEli Stone, plays Prime Minister John Major inThe Crownseason 5. His 1990 to 1997 tenure confirms the years the season will cover.
Netflix’s first-look images featurea shot of Miller looking pensive in character.The Crown’s creator Peter Morgan said, “I think Jonny Lee Miller is an absolute triumph in the role and a real surprise.”
James Murray as Prince Andrew
James Murray, known for his role on the BBC seriesCutting It, playsPrince Andrewsin the fifth season ofThe Crown. He succeeds Tom Byrne, who portrayed a younger version of Elizabeth and Philip’s third child in the season prior. Prince Andrews, the Duke of York was in his twenties when he last appeared in the royal drama.
Sam Woolf as Prince Edward
Sam Woolf/twitter, Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Sam Woolf, known for his roles inC.B. StrikeandHumans,plays Prince Edward inThe Crownseason 5. He succeeds Angus Imrie who played Elizabeth and Philip’s fourth and youngest child in the season prior. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, his acting alma mater, confirmed the casting news on Twitter on Oct. 17.
source: people.com
