The Crown premiered in 2016 on Netflix, and became an instant hit. The show focuses on Queen Elizabeth II’s early reign, her relationship with the Prime Minister, and the challenges she faces in balancing public duties with personal issues. If you’re planning on watching the series, or if you’ve already seen it and are curious about the cast, this article will tell you everything you need to know about the main characters of The Crown TV show: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, John Lithgow, Vanessa Kirby, Jared Harris, Victoria Hamilton and Tobias Menzies. Who’s Who in the Cast of The Crown
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About Her Role As Queen Elizabeth II
The rumors have been confirmed false; there will be no other actors for the time being because this choice is so final. The Season 3 finale aired on November 17th with the death of Princess Margaret, played by Vanessa Kirby.
Queen Elizabeth II and Olivia Colman switch places on The Crown
If you’re not familiar with The Crown, it’s an award-winning TV series based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her family. In this episode, the producers decided to try something different by having the show’s lead actress, Olivia Colman, play the role of Her Majesty in the third and fourth seasons (formerly performed by Claire Foy). Surprisingly, both women look incredibly similar, from their blonde hair and blue eyes to their expressions and actions. So much so that you can hardly tell the two apart! Watch this video to see what happens when these two icons of royalty switch places.
About Olivia Colman
Olivia Colman plays the role of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown TV series. When The Crown premiered, she was given a Royal Television Society award for her performance. In 2019, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in the show. She also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Drama. She is the first actor to win both awards while playing the same character. The Crown follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s until now. The show has been renewed for two more seasons which will be aired on Netflix in 2020.
About Her Role As Queen Elizabeth II
During the first season of The Crown, the reigning monarch was played by Claire Foy. In Season 2, she was replaced by Helen Mirren. And for Season 3 and 4, she has been portrayed by Emmy-winning actress Olivia Colman. I always knew it would be a big thing but I didn’t know how big it would be, says the English actress who won a Tony Award in 2009 for her role in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. When I got offered this part, I had to think about what it means to take over from somebody like Claire Foy – so talented and so stunningly beautiful!
The Real Duke of Edinburgh: Tobias Menzies in The Crown
In the first two seasons of Netflix’s award-winning show The Crown, Tobias Menzies played Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) and father to their four children. In this third season, Menzies takes on another role as the Duke of Edinburgh in a storyline that has been written especially for him. But what can fans expect from this latest installment? And what did Menzies do to prepare for the role?
About Tobias Menzies
There are so many actors to watch on The Crown, but Tobias Menzies’ performance as the Duke of Edinburgh has been a highlight. He becomes such a big part of the story and is an intriguing person. The Duke was not very well-liked by the British public when he was alive, and that is reflected in the series. But I think it’s important to show him both before his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II (played by Claire Foy) and after the death of her father King George VI (played by Jared Harris). It shows how the Duke played a huge role not only in her life but also in Britain at that time.
About His Role As Duke of Edinburgh
Menzies plays the second Duke of Edinburgh, Philip Mountbatten. His first on-screen appearance was in Season Three during episode 3. The episode explores Philip’s life and details how he started his courtship with Elizabeth II. In the opening scenes, a 12-year-old Philip (played by Cameron Close) is seen discussing fox hunting with King George VI (played by Jared Harris). As time progresses, viewers can see that their relationship becomes increasingly more strained as their political views start to clash.
Matt Smith Is The Perfect Fit For Prince Philip In The Crown
Without a doubt, one of the most exciting announcements to come out of this year’s Television Critics Association press tour was the reveal that Matt Smith will play Prince Philip in Netflix’s upcoming drama The Crown . The 10-episode series, which chronicles the lives of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip from 1947 through 1956, will make its debut on November 4, 2016. As soon as this news hit the web, fans immediately started buzzing about what Smith’s portrayal of Prince Philip might look like . . . but there’s plenty of good reason to be excited about this casting decision!
About Matt Smith
The Crown (TV series) is a Netflix Original which debuted in 2016. The show is about the young Queen Elizabeth II, played by Claire Foy, and her trials and tribulations as she settles into her role as monarch. The show follows the Queen’s journey from only having access to an unofficial adviser to being one of the most powerful women in the world, but it also explores what that means for a family caught up in the decision making.
His Role As Prince Philip
Known for playing the 11th Doctor in Doctor Who, as well as starring in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Matt Smith has more than proven himself as a gifted actor. He also fits the part of Prince Philip of The United Kingdom—his formal speech pattern, his tall stature and short hairline are just some of the characteristics he shares with the Duke of Edinburgh. The camera loves him, too. His expressive eyes will tell so many stories that I know we’ll be anxious to see.
A Biography of Vanessa Kirby’s Princess Margaret on The Crown
Princess Margaret, portrayed by Vanessa Kirby in the Netflix series The Crown, was born on August 21, 1930, in Berkshire, England to parents Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Francis Knollys, who were first cousins. She was the third child of five; Margaret had an older sister, Elizabeth (1926–1982), and two younger siblings, Princess Anne (born 1930) and John (born 1934). Margaret’s mother was the daughter of Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, while her father was the son of Queen Mary’s private secretary.
About Vanessa Kirby
Vanessa Kirby is an English actress known for her role as Princess Margaret in the Netflix series, The Crown. After achieving a Bachelor of Arts at Manchester University, she studied acting at the Webber-Douglas Academy and graduated with a MFA in acting. She began acting professionally in 2011, working mainly in theatre until 2016 when she was cast as Margaret to replace Claire Foy. To date, the show has garnered 12 Emmy Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards.
About Her Role As Princess Margaret
Vanessa Kirby was the actress who portrayed the popular and beautiful young princess, Margaret from seasons one and two, The Crown. Born in 1988 to Irish parents in London, England, she trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 2003-2010. It was her roles as Rosalind in the BBC Radio 3 production of As You Like It that led the casting director for The Crown (TV series) to find her. After being seen by producers Suzanne Mackie and Andy Harries, she auditioned for the role alongside other actresses including Tilda Swinton. However, according to an interview with The Guardian about filming season two: As soon as I got the part it felt so right… I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited.
The Enchanting Helena Bonham Carter as the Controversial Countess of Snowdon
The life of Princess Margaret was closely documented by the media, thanks to her celebrity status as the younger sister of Elizabeth II. But few people know about the woman who had arguably the greatest influence on the princess’ life — her husband’s mistress, American divorcee Raine McCorquodale. As The Crown prepares to introduce yet another scandalous affair in season four, we take a look back at the real-life love story of Princess Margaret and Raine McCorquodale.
About Helena Bonham Carter
Born in 1960, Helena Bonham Carter is a British actress who is well-known for her enchantingly intriguing roles. She is most noted for playing Lucy Honeychurch in A Room with a View (1986), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (1972), Lady Jane Grey in Lady Jane (1986) and the Countess of Snowdon on Netflix’s The Crown. Awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2002 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011, she also starred as Bellatrix Lestrange in all eight Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2011. She will be portraying Princess Margaret from seasons three to four on The Crown.
Marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones
She married Antony Armstrong-Jones (a British photographer), Lord Snowdon in 1963 and the couple had two children together. It was during this time that she met future queen Elizabeth II for the first time, at a garden party hosted by The Earl and Countess Spencer at Althorp House, shortly before the christening of Prince Charles. After the divorce, she became friends with the Queen Mother whom she had always admired. The Countess of Snowdon is portrayed by actress Helena Bonham Carter in seasons three and four of The Crown on Netflix.
Eileen Atkins Delivers a Royal Performance Portrays Queen Mary in The Crown
The Crown, Netflix’s masterful new drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, made waves among viewers when it was released in late November 2016. One of its breakout stars was veteran actress Eileen Atkins, who played the queen’s maternal grandmother, Queen Mary. Here’s why Atkins’ performance is so noteworthy—and why it makes The Crown worth watching even for those who aren’t fans of historical dramas and/or non-American accents.
Meet Eileen Atkins
One of the most compelling stories of season one The Crown (TV series) is the aging and emotional journey of the matriarch, Queen Elizabeth’s mother, Queen Mary. Unseen and largely unheard throughout the young Queen Elizabeth’s reign, it would be impossible to expect that such a quiet, private woman would find her power. Yet that was exactly what happened when she was crowned queen at the age of 25.
About Role As Queen Mary
In the first season of the acclaimed Netflix series The Crown, British icon Eileen Atkins stole nearly every scene she was in as Queen Mary. An accomplished actress, director, and writer with more than 50 years in the business, Eilee was born to play this dignified figure and expertly captures her grace under pressure. The regal queen-mother is one of the most enigmatic characters on the show and it’s thanks to Atkins’ nuanced performance that we learn more about what makes her tick. Whether she’s quarrelling with Philip (Matt Smith) or rallying troops during WWII, you can feel the power oozing from her every gesture. It is not an exaggeration to say that The Crown would not be the same without Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary.
The complicated life of Jeremy Northam’s Anthony Eden on The Crown
Is there anyone as handsome and talented as Jeremy Northam? The Emmy-nominated actor portrays Sir Anthony Eden, the British prime minister who served from 1955 to 1957, on Netflix’s The Crown . But Sir Eden, who had been Winston Churchill’s heir apparent during World War II, was never the same after being deposed from power in the Suez Crisis. In fact, Eden was such a complicated figure that it’s hard to imagine how he became prime minister at all! Click here to read more about Jeremy Northam and his portrayal of Sir Anthony Eden on The Crown .
Biography, Early Life and Career in Politics
Jeremy Northam stars as the charismatic and popular British Prime Minister in Netflix’s original series The Crown. Jeremy was born in 1957 and has an extensive list of accomplishments in film, theater, and television. He is best known for portraying Lord Grantham in the award-winning Downton Abbey. The role earned him the title of Best Drama Performance at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards. In 2003 he also won a Tony Award for his portrayal of King Henry VIII in A Man For All Seasons on Broadway.
About Role As Anthony Eden
Born in 1900 to a politically influential family, the youngest son of George Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, is educated at Winchester and Oxford. His brother Nigel was to inherit the earldom from their father but was killed during the Great War, so Anthony became heir presumptive. A skilled diplomat with an outwardly austere manner, he served as Foreign Secretary under Churchill’s brief 1945 caretaker government and then returned to the post under Churchill’s successor Sir Henry Cripps for three years.
The First Look at Victoria Hamilton Portrays Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in The Crown
Victoria Hamilton will take on the role of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in season two of Netflix’s Emmy-winning drama, The Crown, and Entertainment Weekly shared the first look at the veteran actress in character on Thursday.
About Victoria Hamilton
Victoria Hamilton is a Canadian stage actress who plays the prominent supporting role of the Queen Mother (aka Mrs. Jones) on Netflix’s The Crown. She takes on the starring role for seasons 3 and 4, portraying the mother of Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) and maternal grandmother to Prince Charles (Leroy Doc Shaw). Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was born on August 4, 1900, and married George VI, King of England from 1936 until 1952.
About Her Role As Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
One of the most important people of the 20th century, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother lived an exceptional life. One that was defined by her sense of duty and unfailing support for her country and family. Now, to celebrate the release of the second season of The Crown on Netflix, the Oscar-winning actress with a legendary career, Dame Felicity Jones will be portraying this renowned public figure on-screen for Netflix original series The Crown.
Marion Bailey’s Emmy-Worthy Portrayal of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
The Queen Mother was the Queen Consort of King George VI, and the last Empress of India, serving as India’s head of state from 1947 until the country became a republic in 1950. She died in 2002 at the age of 101 years, making her the longest-lived member of the royal family in British history. Marion Bailey played this beloved royal on The Crown, a Netflix original series that depicts Queen Elizabeth II’s early reign through her marriages to Prince Philip and Prince Charles, as well as the death of Princess Diana, Princess Margaret’s scandalous love life and the rise of modern terrorism in Great Britain.
Meet Marion Bailey
Marion Bailey had a long career in the entertainment industry, but it was playing the role of The Queen Mother in The Crown (TV series) that finally won her an Emmy. Born March 5, 1936, Marion fought many adversities over the course of her life to ultimately make history and win awards for others as a formidable character actress. Watching this esteemed performer on screen as she navigates another family drama proves why she is still so revered and respected by contemporaries such as Dame Eileen Atkins.
About Her Role As Queen Elizabeth
The role that Marion plays, The Queen Mother, is really intriguing in The Crown. She was the queen consort to King George VI and a legendary royal figure during the 20th century. A no-nonsense mother with a big personality, she was devoted to her family and spent her days in calm reflection. It’s no wonder that Marion Bailey has already won an Emmy for playing this beloved character.
Ben Miles Captures the Charm and Tragedy of Group Captain Peter Townsend
When first introduced to Group Captain Peter Townsend (Ben Miles) in The Crown season one, he seems like an unlikely love interest for Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy). First of all, he’s not royalty or nobility, which puts him at the bottom of the pecking order in British society at that time. Second, he has an appalling stammer, which would make any royal cringe.
About Ben Miles
The Crown, is a British television drama that revolves around the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the 1940s up until today. One of the key characters in the show is Group Captain Peter Townsend, Elizabeth’s love interest played by actor Ben Miles. In Season 2, viewers watch as The Crown follows the relationship between Elizabeth and Townsend unfold as she prepares to marry Philip. Ultimately, she decides not to pursue their relationship after concluding that this love may never last since their worlds are so different.
Role In The Crown (TV series) As Captain Peter Townsend
Ben Miles is a British actor who stars as the enigmatic Group Captain Peter Townsend in seasons one and two of The Crown. Originally from Somerset, his career began on the stage before he landed his breakthrough role in 2006’s Venus, for which he won a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer. He has since appeared in the likes of The Great Gatsby (2013), Saving Mr Banks (2013) and War Horse (2011). I was quite excited to be involved with this particular project because I knew it was going to be big, he says.
Louis of The Crown and His Real-Life Counterpart, Greg Wise
Greg Wise (Louis, seasons 1–2) and his real-life counterpart, Louis Mountbatten, Earl of Merioneth (1901–1979), are both lords, though they represent different eras in the British peerage. Louis Mountbatten was descended from Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert (Queen Victoria was queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901). On the other hand, Louis has no known family connection to Queen Elizabeth II or her consort, Prince Phillip (the Duke of Edinburgh).
How did he get his role?
For anyone familiar with the cast on The Crown (TV series), it’s no surprise that they all come from various acting backgrounds. With an exception in the case of Louis – despite appearing to be a typical handsome prince, he comes to the Queen (Elizabeth II) with a history that’s unconventional at best. What was his background before becoming cast as Louis?
About Greg Wise
Greg Wise is the actor who portrayed Prince Louis in the hit Netflix series The Crown. With the show now completing its second season, Mr. Wise has provided insight into his personal thoughts and feelings about portraying such a character onscreen. I don’t know how I did it. I don’t know where I found the reserves of strength to keep going. He also admitted that he doesn’t have any advice for future actors playing the part of Prince Louis: I can’t imagine someone else playing this role because it’s so deeply rooted within me.
Earl Mountbatten of Burma: The Crown’s Unlikely Hero
Lady Mountbatten of Burma was the wife of Prince Louis of Battenberg, 1st Marquess of Milford Haven, and later 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, making her the daughter-in-law of Queen Victoria and an aunt to Edward VIII and George VI. She served as the last Vicereine of India during the British Raj from 1925 to 1947 until India’s independence. Her older brother was Andrew, Prince of Greece and Denmark, who served as governor general in Greece during World War I.
An introduction to Earl Mountbatten
In The Crown, Earl Mountbatten is the favorite uncle of Queen Elizabeth. What may be a surprise to some is that he was also the last British Viceroy and Governor-General of India (1947-48). He has been a strong support system for the young queen, especially in light of her father’s death. The show has been renewed for three more seasons. The series will cover the years 1964-76 when Prime Minister Harold Wilson took office. Mountbatten worked as the First Sea Lord before his death on August 27, 1979.
About Charles Dance
The actor Charles Dance is best known for playing patriarch and British Navy officer, the Earl of Mountbatten in the third season and to date, the most featured person on The Crown (TV series). He served as the show’s inspiration for Captain Edward Montagu in Elizabeth , a man who fought against his own daughter, Elizabeth I. In the television adaptation, Dance plays King George III alongside John Lithgow’s George II and Jared Harris’ King William IV. Dance was born in Redditch, Worcestershire in 1946.
The Amazing Transformation of Jared Harris Into King George VI
The Crown debuted in November of 2016 to critical acclaim. One of the most striking aspects of the show was Jared Harris’ performance as King George VI, which led to him winning an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his role. Despite playing King George VI in season 1, Harris went on to play his father, King George V, in season 2, leading up to Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as monarch of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms—so how did he pull off such an amazing transformation?
Meet Jared Harris
Jared Harris is an American actor and director best known for his roles as Lane Pryce in the AMC series Mad Men (2007-2012), Nelson Rose on the Fox show Fringe (2009-2011), and James Gordon, Jr. in the Batman prequel series Gotham (2014-2015). For his work as King George VI, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
His Inspiration Behind the Character
From the moment I read the script and learned that I would be playing an English king, I knew that my physicality and attitude would change. The first thing I did was eliminate all food with gluten, meat, or dairy from my diet. This is not to say I did a complete teetotal-to-vegan transition, but rather that my usual two glasses of wine a night turned into two liters of sparkling water.
John Lithgow Portrays Winston Churchill In season 1, featured seasons 2 and 3
The series also features John Lithgow as Winston Churchill (season 1, featured seasons 2-3) in the role of the young, middle-aged and elderly prime minister. Lithgow said he was thrilled to portray Churchill, but felt a weight of responsibility in playing him. The cast and crew were unable to find an actual location that resembled Britain during WWII and had to use various CGI techniques to recreate the cities seen in the show. The actors who play the Queen Elizabeth II are unable to have any contact with other characters off set due to protocol. Foy expressed her desire for Emma Thompson or Kristin Scott Thomas to join the cast if they return for a fourth season. Netflix has yet to announce if they plan on renewing The Crown for another season.
Alex Jennings Portrays Prince Edward In season 1 and featured season 2
Jennings is best known for portraying Olaf in The Adventures of Tintin alongside Jamie Bell, Hugh Jackson and Andy Serkis. Jenning’s wife is Lady Elizabeth Hastings, daughter of the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Jennings and Hastings have four daughters. Jennings was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) on 20 November 2013 by Queen Elizabeth II as part of her 90th birthday honours list for his services to drama and charity.
He was also awarded an honorary degree from Queen Mary University London on 24 April 2014. Jennings has been married twice. His first marriage was to actress Hilary Minster; they had one son before divorcing in 1988. His second marriage was to Lady Elizabeth Jane Hastings; they have four daughters together and he has three step-children from her previous marriage.
Derek Jacobi Portrays Duke of Windsor In featured season 3
The Duke of Windsor has been a supporting character throughout the season, ever since Princess Margaret was first introduced to him. He was an essential part of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding as well, but we didn’t see him much after that – though he did have some scene-stealing moments. Derek Jacobi is a perfect example of an actor who makes their appearance count. His performance has been subtle, with less on-screen time than other cast members. But his presence is felt in every episode in which he appears, and his final moment will be talked about for years to come. Duke of Windsor The Duke of Windsor is last seen walking away from Buckingham Palace alone, reflecting back on his life. He never wanted this position; he only took it so the monarchy would continue and serve its people. And now that it does, he can finally put his wife Edith behind him and retire from public life.
Lia Williams Portrays Wallis In season 1 and featured season 2
Lia Williams not only earned an Emmy nomination for her performance, but she also won Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. It looks like Williams is set to make the character of Wallis Simpson one of the most celebrated in TV history. She managed to portray a woman torn between love and ambition as well as a woman who cared deeply about what other people thought about her, both facets of personality that defined Wallis Simpson throughout history. Her portrayal has led many viewers to sympathize with her character and understand why Prince Edward VIII would want to give up his crown for her. Lia was able to transform herself into the role of Wallis, which is no easy feat considering how long-lived this role was before it even hit our screens.
Geraldine Chaplin Portrays Duchess of Windsor In featured season 3
Geraldine Chaplin was able to turn the Duchess of Windsor into a relatable and sympathetic character by showing viewers that she too wanted love and connection. An accomplished actress, Chaplin brought herself to the screen in the portrayal of someone that many were unfamiliar with. When asked how she did it, she said it was by trying as much as possible to understand and believe that she was me. Her ability to do so, made her acting all the more amazing. She managed to have us feel what Elizabeth felt; Chaplin has been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress at the Emmy Awards for her performance on this season.
The series itself has also been nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, which is exciting considering that Netflix has only won twice before (House Of Cards and Breaking Bad). If you haven’t seen The Crown on Netflix yet I highly recommend you start from the beginning because each season features different actors playing different roles.
Anton Lesser Portrays Harold Macmillan In season 2
Anton Lesser is the actor who portrayed Harold Macmillan in the TV series. Mr. Lesser started his acting career in a drama class and continued to pursue theater as a profession before switching gears to work on film and TV. He has appeared on over 80 different television programs and stage productions, but he is best known for his portrayal of John Mcclane from Marvel’s Iron Man 2 as well as Harold Macmillan from season one of the hit show, The Crown. Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B Johnson (season 3): Bryan Cranston is the actor who will portray President Lyndon B Johnson in the third season of The Crown. Mr. Cranston started his acting career when he was a teenager and moved onto Broadway where he acted until 1982 when he began working in film and television shows.
Matthew Goode Portrays Antony Armstrong-Jones In season 2
Goode joins the cast for season two of The Crown as Antony Armstrong-Jones, a celebrated society photographer, socialite and part-time love interest to Queen Elizabeth. As well as Armstrong-Jones’ high society relationships, the TV show will also delve into his struggles in life that are linked to his sexuality and royal lineage. What I think was so fascinating about it is how he really did suffer because he was gay, said Matt Smith (Prince Philip) about the character. He wasn’t allowed to marry, he was at risk from prison all of his life. His family weren’t supportive of him. And what I think is interesting, too, you see this with a lot of people who are in their position where they’re stuck between the family and their identity, what they feel they’re meant to be. It’s a very complex story.
Ben Daniels Portrays Earl of Snowdon In season 3
The most recent cast addition to the show is actor, Ben Daniels as Lord Snowdon in season three. He joins his fellow cast mates Claire Foy, Matt Smith and Vanessa Kirby with a fresh take on a new fictional character. Lord Snowdon is introduced as the husband of Princess Margaret and a passionate designer. Being well-educated, he served in the British Royal Navy during World War II before going on to design iconic gowns for many stars like Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner. As an Earl, he has always been aware of social issues and had his eye on becoming the Prime Minister until accepting that it wasn’t meant to be.
He meets Elizabeth when she visits him at his country home one day while contemplating whether or not she should marry Philip Mountbatten, who was also there. They talked about her father’s deathbed wish for her to have children – something she was very reluctant about – and it seemed that Philip had finally convinced her when she left Snowdon’s estate.
Jason Watkins Portrays Harold Wilson In season 3
Jason Watkins played Harold Wilson, the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity in Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government. He was a pivotal figure who helped to introduce new policies which changed the course of Britain, including privatizing British Telecom. He has also been seen in series such as Merlin and The Tunnel (TV series). Jason Watkins plays another pivotal political figure: Charles Parnell, an Irish nationalist leader during the 1800s. He takes on this role in season 3 of ‘The Crown,’ premiering on November 17th on Netflix.
Erin Doherty Portrays Princess Anne In seasons 3 And 4
Erin Doherty had the challenge of portraying Anne, Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister, and member of the British Royal Family. The Netflix series is a re-imagining of her early years as Princess Royal and her life while she prepares to become queen. Here are five things you might not have known about this role:
-Eirn Doherty was in one episode of Game of Thrones. She played Jojen Reed, Bran Stark’s old companion. -She also has some theatre experience. She attended the Central School of Speech and Drama from 2006 to 2009, graduating with an honours degree in Acting.
-Doherty says that she loved playing Princess Anne because she’s so powerful but also human. In order to play her scenes well, it was important for Doherty to get into character by spending time with people who knew Princess Anne personally.
Josh O’Connor Portrays Charles, Prince of Wales In seasons 3 and 4
With episodes that are highly dramatic, rich in culture and steeped in history, the latest season of The Crown has been a wild success. While characters like Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (season 1), King George VI (season 2) and Princess Margaret have been embraced by fans across the world this season’s standouts have arguably been Charles and his future bride Camilla Shand. While she may not be royal by blood, she is every inch a royal as she navigates the complexities of public life while simultaneously raising her two young sons who tragically lost their father when they were just small children. From her dogged persistence to deal with an impending national disaster to becoming England’s princess and mother-in-law to Queen Elizabeth II, it is hard not to love Camilla as portrayed by actress Vanessa Kirby.
Gillian Anderson Portrays Margaret Thatcher in season 4
Gillian Anderson was born on August 9th, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from DePaul University with a degree in theater and classical studies. After college she went to work for a marketing company and soon after moved to London to pursue her acting career. Her first role was on the TV show Playing the Field (TV series) as Karen. In 1994 she became known for portraying Dectective Superintendent Jane Tennison on the British TV series, Prime Suspect (TV series) . In 2011 she starred as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. From 2012-2013 she played Miss Havisham in Great Expectations (2012 TV series) before moving to America to star as Agent Dana Scully on the American sci-fi drama, X-Files (TV series).
She is one of few actors who has had success playing both leading and supporting roles which has given her an expansive filmography with over 60 titles spanning over three decades.
Emma Corrin Portrays Diana, Princess of Wales In season 4
Corrin is a 31-year-old actress, singer, and producer who has trained for years to bring Diana back to life. Despite being born the same year as the princess, she tells TIME that her British heritage actually makes her feel like more of an authority when it comes to acting opposite English actors. I can speak in their accent more fluently than they can, she says. Corrin adds that because Princess Diana was still growing up at the time of her death, there are many more elements from her life before becoming a royal family member to explore—like studying ballet or meeting Charles.
The last season will be about Diana’s charity work before she became a public figure
Stephen Boxer Portrays Denis Thatcher in season 4
How’s this for a casting coup? British television comedian and actor Stephen Merchant is coming to The Crown as an American-born, English-raised member of the House of Lords, Denis Thatcher. Playing the titular Queen Elizabeth II’s second husband, this will be a change in pace from his last major role – as Ricky Gervais’ producer in original comedy series Derek. Boxer has had supporting roles in films like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, War Horse and In Bruges. He also lent his voice to video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
Emerald Fennell Portrays Camilla Parker Bowles in season 4 and featured season 3
Queen Elizabeth II is the Star in Netflix’s latest binge-worthy series, The Crown. Played by Olivia Colman, Queen Liz just couldn’t be a better boss and you’ll want to be her best friend after binge-watching this magnificent show. But she isn’t just your average boss— she has all of these secrets (or she doesn’t) that are revealed during the first three seasons of the series, which can lead to some pretty heated arguments with Prince Philip. But don’t worry— they always make up in time for tea. After meeting Camilla Parker Bowles in season 3, it’s been announced that Emerald Fennell will portray the iconic character as seen in season 4. Season 4 is set to air sometime late 2019 or early 2020, so we’ve still got plenty of time left before we see Camilla being played by another actor!
