Netflix’s The Crown season 5 will see a whole new cast of actors portraying Queen Elizabeth, her family, and other major players in what is said to one of the most trying times in British history. The show has already seen two separate casts, one led by Claire Foy in seasons 1 and 2 with seasons 3 and 4 led by Olivia Colman. Sticking to tradition, showrunner Peter Morgan is set to bring in one more batch of actors for the show’s final two seasons, episodes that will inch The Crown‘s timeline toward the modern day.
This particular baton pass may be the most important in the show’s history, considering the particularly intense turbulence the royals had to endure in the 1990s. The Crown season 4 had already begun to shake things up for the Queen and those in her orbit, having introduced two monumental figures in British history: Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana. Though the show neatly wrapped up Thatcher’s tenure as PM in the season’s final episode (having been replaced by the Conservative Party’s John Major), Diana is sure to continue on as an influential player in the show’s coming story. Though Morgan has been rather quiet about the exact years season 5 will cover, it is possible that he may need to move the narrative at a slower pace than usual, taking time to cover the numerous scandals, divorces, and tragedies that marked the era.
However, which actors will get to embody the historical figures during this tumultuous period largely remains a mystery. Since the show’s filming schedule has been delayed, The Crown is not likely to return until 2022, giving the creators a bit of time to assemble their cast. However, Morgan and Netflix have confirmed a few casting choices of important players who are sure to be at the heart of season 5. So far, here’s who has been cast in The Crown‘s next season.
Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II
![The Crown Season 5 Cast Guide: Every New Actor Confirmed](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Imelda-Staunton-in-Vera-Drake.jpg)
Fans of the show have largely applauded the casting of Imelda Stauton, who will replace Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II. The London-born four-time Olivier Award winner has a long history of turning in stellar performances on both the stage and screen. Perhaps best known for her portrayal of Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film series, Imelda Staunton is also recognizable for her work in Kenneth Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing, Nanny McPhee, Maleficent, and the recent Apple+ show, Trying. Throughout her career, the actress has demonstrated a wide range capable of being authoritative and humorous in equal measure – qualities The Crown will surely lean into.
Bringing someone as experienced as Staunton on board for The Crown‘s coming story will certainly prove to be a wise move considering all that is in store for Elizabeth. Since season 4 concluded on Christmas Day 1990, the next batch of episodes will likely begin shortly thereafter, perhaps in 1992 – a year which the Queen has called her “most horrible year” in speeches. During that single year, the marriages of many of her children began to fall apart – Anne divorcing, Andrew separating, and Charles’ widely publicized troubles with Diana leading to their separation, as well. Additionally, 1992 saw a fire at Windsor Castle, an event that led to the Royal Family paying income taxes for the very first time. On a more positive note, the Queen’s new Prime Minister, John Major, is said to have been rather supportive of the Royal family, despite their disastrous decade.
Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
![Jonathan Pryce in Tales from the Loop](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Jonathan-Pryce-in-Tales-from-the-Loop.jpg)
Game of Thrones‘ Jonathan Pryce is headed to Buckingham Palace, replacing Tobias Menzies (another Westeros alum) as Prince Philip. Pryce’s long and varied career has seen him in projects such as The Two Popes, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Wife, and a slew of Shakespearean plays. With multiple Tony and Olivier Awards under his belt, Pryce is a welcome addition to The Crown‘s new roster, especially when playing a role so significant to the larger series.
However, which Philip-centric stories Morgan could focus on are a bit difficult to guess, as the Queen’s husband began playing less of a public role amidst all of the 1990s drama. The show has previously showcased a certain bond between Philip and his daughter-in-law Diana, so it is possible season 5 will see the fracturing of that relationship (letters suggesting they were angry with one another have been unearthed in recent years). Also during this era, the Windsors’ financial strain led to Buckingham Palace opening its doors for public tours. It is likely that Philip – who has been presented as one of the more progressive royals on the show – will be instrumental to that particular storyline, harkening back to the character’s role in televising the Queen’s coronation and the Royal Family’s day-to-day life.
Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/leslie-manville-harlots.jpg)
Lesley Manville will be stepping into the role of Princess Margaret, vacated by Helena Bonham Carter after her two-season run. Manville’s work in Phantom Thread earned the English actress a handful of accolades, including a 2017 Academy Award nomination. She has also been seen in the Harlots series and in films like Maleficent, All or Nothing, and River. Manville also has an extensive list of onstage credits.
Season 4 of The Crown saw Margaret coming to terms with her diminishing role in the Royal Family as her responsibilities and influence continued to be usurped by a younger generation. Though still an important presence in Queen Elizabeth’s life, the Princess was largely sidelined for much of the 1990s. However, during this decade, Princess Margaret saw Peter Townsend for the last time, so it is possible that her former lover – so important to her early storyline – will make a return. Unfortunately, Margaret’s health continued to decline during the 1990s, with her suffering two strokes and being confined to a wheelchair. However, since Manville has signed on through the end of the series, the character’s death in 2002 will likely not be covered until season 6.
Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales
![](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/elizabeth-debicki-caroline-mackenzie-everest.jpg)
Replacing Emma Corin, Elizabeth Debicki will assume the role of Lady Di, a figure who had achieved a level of unprecedented attention by the early ’90s. Fans largely marveled at Debicki’s similarities to the Princess of Wales and have been vocally supportive of her casting. Seen in films like Tenet, Widows, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and The Great Gatsby, the Australian actress has been one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars and it is likely her portrayal in The Crown’s newest line of succession will only help take her to new heights.
Of the cast members of the coming season, Debicki may be the one with the most daunting task ahead of her. The Crown often covers historical and news-worthy events surrounding the Royal Family and in the 1990s much of the press centered around the young princess. With her relationship with Charles disintegrating (much to the consternation of her in-laws), Diana sat for a series of interviews with Andrew Morton, who published Diana: Her True Story – In Her Own Words, a book which became a worldwide sensation. A little over a year after her divorce from Charles, Diana was killed in a horrific car accident while fleeing from paparazzi – a tragedy that the series is sure to deal with at some point. However, since Debicki is signed on to season 6, it is possible that Princess Diana’s death won’t be covered in season 5.
Though only a handful of actors have been announced for The Crown season 5, it is certain that characters like Princess Anne, the Queen Mother, Harry, William, and Prince Charles (Dominic West is reportedly in talks for the role) will be seen again. As far as Prime Ministers go, most – if not all – of the upcoming season will see John Major in the top job but, depending on the years it ends up spanning, it’s possible we might see the entrance of Tony Blair. Regardless, judging from who’s been announced so far, the Windsor family’s story will continue being told with another incredibly talented cast.
Jonny Lee Miller as John Major
![Jonny Lee Miller Joins The Crown Season 5](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Jonny-Lee-Miller-Joins-The-Crown-Season-5.jpg)
As much as The Crown is about the British monarchy, it’s also about the politicians who worked behind them, sometimes harmoniously, other times… not so much. The Netflix series has already featured Winston Churchill (John Lithgow), Harold MacMillan (Anton Lesser), Harold Wilson (Jason Watkins), Edward Heath (Michael Maloney) and, most recently, Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson), and as The Crown moves into the 1990s, it falls to Jonny Lee Miller to play John Major. The Conservative politician served as Prime Minister between 1990 and 1997, and his reign marked a less controversial period following the downfall of Thatcher, though not one without challenges. Ultimately, John Major lost the 1997 general election by a historic landslide to Tony Blair. Major’s most significant role in the story of the British royal family is being appointed special guardian to Princes William and Harry in the wake of their mother’s death, which will likely be covered in The Crown season 5.
The crucial part has been awarded to Jonny Lee Miller who, similar to Gillian Anderson in season 4, is a somewhat more glamorous choice than viewers might’ve expected. Before The Crown, Miller played Sick Boy in Danny Boyle’s 1996 classic Trainspotting and returned in the 2017 sequel. He also appeared alongside Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter (no surprises for guessing the director) in 2012’s Dark Shadows. On TV, Miller is best known for his starring role in Elementary, the U.S. adaptation of Sherlock, as well as Emma‘s Mr. Knightley and Dexter‘s Jordan. Though uncredited, Miller’s screen debut actually came during the Fifth Doctor era of Doctor Who.