The coveted role of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown has been announced. Fans of Netflix’s lavish royal drama might remember the current Queen, Claire Foy, is only signed up for two seasons.
With the hit show’s first season showing the monarch as a young woman in her twenties, balancing the public and political demands of her new royal role while dealing with upheaval in her personal life, and the forthcoming second season presenting Elizabeth in her thirties, Claire has now said goodbye to the part – for the simple reason that, at 33 years old, she’s too young to convincingly play the Queen into the 1970s.
Claire has handed over the crown to…Olivia Colman.
Olivia Colman is the new Queen.
And this is not Colman’s first (royal) rodeo – she portrayed Queen Elizabeth’s mother in the film Hyde Park on Hudson.
She’s also appeared in Peep Show, Broadchurch and The Night Manager. Her portrayal of Angela Burr in the latter won her a Golden Globe for best supporting actress and an Emmy nomination.
We reckon the Queen is in safe hands!
Claire Foy as a young Queen Elizabeth II.
Claire Foy is thrilled with her replacement, telling reporters recently: “I know who’s doing it and I’m not telling you. It’s really exciting and great and amazing.”
Alluding to her limited run on the show, she explained: “I always knew from the get-go that I was only going to be doing two series. I’m just very grateful that I have had such a wonderful time playing that part and made friends for life.”
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Claire’s cast mates Matt Smith (who plays her on-screen husband, Prince Philip) and Vanessa Kirby (who plays Princess Margaret) will also be replaced by new stars in the third season.
