Turns out Netflix’s most global-facing original out of UK The Crown will not show the stepping back of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the British Royal Family as it will end after season five. The last season will see actress Imelda Staunton playing the role of Queen Elizabeth II. She will be taking over from Olivia Colman, the star of Seasons 3 and 4. For the unversed, Imelda is a veteran actress nominated for an Academy Award in 2004 for her role in Vera Drake, but is perhaps best known to younger audiences for playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films.
Netflix announced on Friday that the popular show will end after its fifth season, putting a stop to speculations for a sixth season that might have followed events to the present day in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Show creator Peter Morgan told an international portal, “At the outset I had imagined The Crown running for six seasons but now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop. I’m grateful to Netflix and Sony for supporting me in this decision."
"This time, we are the endangered species.” Season Three of The Crown, now streaming. pic.twitter.com/rbRNAmWAEA
— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) November 17, 2019
Talking about Staunton, Morgan said, “Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy (from Seasons 1 and 2) and Olivia Colman.” Staunton also said in a statement that she has been following the show since its inception and said, “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 honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.”
Imelda Staunton will play Queen Elizabeth II in the fifth and final season of The Crown. pic.twitter.com/hUOob58A9p
— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) January 31, 2020
Claire Foy played the Queen across its first two seasons, earning her both Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. The recent season that debuted last year has Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman portraying the longest-serving monarch of the British Royal family. Production has begun on season four that will see the introduction of Princess Diana (played by Emma Corrin) and Prince Charles (played by Josh O’Connor).
Netflix’s Vice President, Original Content, Cindy Holland said, “I fully support Peter Morgan’s creative decision and am excited to see how he, Imelda Staunton and the cast and crew of Season 5, bring this landmark series to a fitting and spectacular end."
(Source: Variety/Hollywood Reporter/BuzzfeedNews/Twitter)
