The Crown is keeping it throne-centric with its choice of a Game of Thrones actor to recast a key role. Season 5 (and, accordingly, Season 6) is continuing to flesh out the cast, which will see the royal family get a massive reboot, with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret, and more getting the recast treatment for the penultimate installment.
Prince Philip is the latest to be recast by The Crown. Game of Thrones star Jonathan Pryce, will take over the role of Prince Philip from Outlander’s Tobias Menzies starting in Season 5, per Deadline. Menzies took over the part of Queen Elizabeth II’s husband from Doctor Who’s Matt Smith in Season 3. Smith originated Prince Philip’s portrayal on the Netflix drama.
The casting of Jonathan Pryce means that The Crown’s role of Prince Philip will stay within the hands of an actor who starred on Game of Thrones. Pryce’s Crown predecessor, Tobias Menzies, also starred on the HBO hit, and played the role of Edmure Tully, aka the groom at the show’s infamous “Red Wedding.” Pryce’s character was equally headline-making.
Jonathan Pryce played the High Sparrow on the fantasy hit, and was, of course, the subject of Cersei’s rage on Game of Thrones. Pryce’s High Sparrow was one of the targets of the Great Sept explosion caused by wildfire. Unlike his usual roles, Pryce is guaranteed to see his Prince Philip live through the end of The Crown. Queen Elizabeth II’s husband is still alive and well at a staggering 99-years-old.
Following his casting on The Crown, Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Philip starting in Season 5 and until the show concludes with Season 6. The role of Prince Philip’s wife, Queen Elizabeth II, has already been recast. Imelda Staunton will take over the eponymous “crown” from its current wearer, Olivia Colman.
Meanwhile, Prince Philip’s sister-in-law will also have a new face. Phantom Thread’s Lesley Manville is now set to star opposite Jonathan Pryce, taking Princess Margaret’s tiara from Helena Bonham-Carter on The Crown. Tobias Menzies’ final bow as Prince Philip will arrive with the premiere of Season 4 later this year on Netflix. While sad for many, fans can now anticipate Pryce taking over the role.
It will be a while before fans of The Crown get a chance to see Jonathan Pryce put his spin on Prince Philip. Cameras will not start rolling on Season 5 until June of next year (2021), with the pre-planned delay being unrelated to our current health crisis. I think it will be a worthwhile wait.
Prepare to settle in as the current cast of The Crown takes their final bows in their iconic roles later this year on Netflix. The fifth season starring Jonathan Pryce is now slated to arrive in 2022. While you wait for Tobias Menzies’ last season as Prince Philip to debut, check out this fall’s schedules to stay entertained.
