If the real-world drama of the royal family wasn’t enough to keep up with already, Netflix went ahead and dropped some major news about its hit television show, The Crown.
The series revealed that Elizabeth Debicki will depict Princess Diana in Seasons 5 and 6, the two final seasons of the series.
“Princess Diana‘s spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many. It is my true privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series which has had me absolutely hooked from day one,” she said in a statement.
The Australian actress made her film debut in local wedding comedy A Few Best Men, before appearing alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton.
The hit series has also found its new Prince Philip, Oscar-nominated Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce.
The actor, who played the High Sparrow on Game of Thrones, will join the drama for its fifth and sixth seasons, which will also be its last – heartbreaking news for fans who were hoping to see the show document the present-day monarchy.
Pryce will succeed Tobias Menzies and Matt Smith, who have played the Duke of Edinburgh in the first four seasons.
British actress, Imelda Staunton has also been announced to play Queen Elizabeth II.
The show’s creator and writer, Peter Morgan confirmed the news, sharing; “I’m absolutely thrilled to confirm Imelda Staunton as Her Majesty the Queen for the fifth and final season, taking The Crown into the 21st century. Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.”
Best known for her role as the infamous Professor Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter franchise, Staunton will take over the reins from Olivia Colman, who has played the queen in season three of the show as well as season four, which is currently in production.
In a statement announcing her casting, Staunton said, “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.”
Rumours first circulated last year suggesting that Staunton was set to play Queen Elizabeth in the award-winning show, but Netflix quickly shut the hearsay at the time by saying they had not “commissioned any further seasons as yet, therefore any news on casting remains pure speculation.”
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