The Crown just premiered its third season on Netflix, and it may have already found its replacement for Olivia Colman. Her first season as Queen Elizabeth II just bowed on the streamer. Colman took the role over from Claire Foy, who played the monarch during The Crown’s first two seasons.
After recasting the leading players for The Crown’s third and fourth seasons, the process is reportedly underway again. Who could be the next one to wear "the crown"? Harry Potter actress Imelda Staunton, who played Dolores Umbridge, is in talks to take over as Queen Elizabeth II in Seasons 5 and 6, according to Deadline.
Imelda Staunton is undoubtedly a familiar face for film and television fans. Moviegoers recently saw Staunton in the movie follow-up to Downtown Abbey. Staunton starred as Lady Maud Bagshaw in the hit film. That was not Staunton’s only movie outing. She also reprised her role as Knotgrass in the Maleficent sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
A deal for Imelda Staunton to star in The Crown has not been finalized yet. If it does end up happening, Staunton will be the third actress to play Queen Elizabeth II on the series. Due to The Crown’s sweeping historical chapters, it has required casting changes to keep up. Each set of the main ensemble has, so far, played their roles for only two seasons.
If Queen Elizabeth II is in need of recasting, you can bet the roles of Prince Phillip and Princess Margaret will be, too. Like Queen Elizabeth II, they also got recast for Season 3 and 4. The Crown's second Prince Margaret, Helena Carter Bonham, later claimed to have contacted Princess Margaret’s spirit through a psychic. So, there is that.
Other new additions for Season 3 included the casting of Princess Anne., while also joining the cast for its third outing has been Game of Thrones veteran/consummate scene-stealer, Charles Dance, who replaced Greg Wise in the role of Lord Louis Mountbatten. The Crown possibly recasting the Queen for Seasons 5 and 6 hints that more new cast members will follow!
For those wondering, no, you did not miss anything. The Crown has not officially been renewed by Netflix for Seasons 5 and 6. If it comes to fruition, already having cast the next Queen Elizabeth II will bode well for the future of the Netflix subscriber favorite. The royal drama is currently filming its fourth season, which Olivia Colman has already gotten fans hyped for.
Olivia Colman teased that fans could expect to see a “brilliant” Gillian Anderson in the role of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Season 4. A performance to look forward to as you binge The Crown’s recently released season. If the pattern stays the same, the fourth season would be Colman's last as Queen Elizabeth II.
If you are already done with Season 3, CinemaBlend’s Gina Carbone has twelve other royal TV show suggestions. You will need something to watch while waiting for more Crown casting news! The first three seasons of The Crown are currently streaming on Netflix, among other new content. Speaking of which, TV is set to have a plethora of winter premieres.
