The Crown series 5: First look at Imelda Staunton as The Queen

She's replacing Olivia Colman in the lead role

Author: Alex RossPublished 30th Jul 2021

Great news for fans of Netflix show The Crown today (Friday 30th July), as bosses have given a first look at legendary actress Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II.

Imelda, who is taking over the lead role from Olivia Colman, looks graceful in the photo which was released on Twitter this afternoon. Bosses captioned the photo with: 'An early glimpse of our new Queen Elizabeth II, Imelda Staunton.' (sic)

It was first announced way back in January 2020 that the former Harry Potter actress would play Her Majesty for the firth and final series, taking The Crown into the 21st Century.

Imelda said at the time: "I have loved watching The Crown from the very start. As an actor it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan’s scripts. I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.”

Filming for series five of The Crown started in July, but with COVID restrictions still in place, it's understood the series won't actually air until 2022.

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Imelda isn't the only newcomer to the cast for series five. Just like previous series, the cast will see an entire change over, with Jonathan Pryce (Prince Phillip), Jonny Lee Miller (John Major), Lesley Manville (Princess Margaret) and Elizabeth Debicki (Princess Diana) all joining the cast.

Rumours are also rife that Dominic West has been cast as Prince Charles.

Whilst we wait for series five of The Crown to land, you can watch series one-four on Netflix now.

Now read:

The Crown will END after Season 5 with Imelda Staunton cast as The Queen

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