As we all eagerly wait for The Crown’s season four to be out later this year, here are some glimpses of the fifth season which will, unfortunately, be the last as well.
Although creator and showrunner Peter Morgan had earlier confirmed plans to span the show across six seasons, covering a decade in each one, it looks like it will end soon.
However, recent events most probably with regards to the younger Royals Meghan and Prince Harry may have abbreviated the show to a total of five seasons only.
Whatever the reason, it will be sad to see the show not live up to its full potential whenever season 5 returns. As for now, in the absence of season 4, all we are left with is a binge run of seasons 1 to 3 and the following snippets on season 5. Join us!
Lesley Manville will Play Princess Margaret
After a brilliant Helena Bonham Carter and effervescent Vanessa Kirby, the baton to play Princess Margaret in the Netflix’s Royal Special The Crown, has now been passed to Lesley Manville.
As fans may know, the show casts a new face for each character after every two seasons to portray their aging selves.
However, since the show has been cut down by one season, fans of Leslie Manville will only get to see her for season 5.
The announcement came in July this year and is the second big name to enter the Crown cast for season 5.
Even as the fourth season is still in the wings and is set for a fall release this year, snippets of information from the final season are already out.
Imelda Staunton will Play Queen Elizabeth II
The first cast member to be confirmed for season five was Imelda Stauntson playing Queen Elizabeth II. This announcement came in November 2019.
Staunton will be the second prominent actor from the Harry Potter series to join The Crown’s cast.
As potterheads may know, Helena Bonham Carter, cast as Princess Margaret in seasons 3 and 4, played the iconic Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter movies 5 through 8. While Imelda Stauntson was the atrocious and odious Dolores Umbridge in parts 5 through 8.
“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,” creator and showrunner Peter Morgan said in a statement.
“Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.”
No Meghan & Harry for The Crown
While the younger Royals may have caused the show to cut short, they won’t be part of its story. According to Morgan, it is just too early to feature the young couple in the family saga.
“I feel uncomfortable writing about events within a certain time period,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
“I think there’s a certain amount of time within which, if you write about it, what you do instantly becomes journalistic. Because it’s too close to the moment.”
Timeline for Season 5 Uncertain
Considering the timeline of season 4 itself remains a mystery, that of season 5 is still far off. However, the word is the fourth instalment will end around 1990, the year Thatcher was “ousted” from her Prime Minister position.
Make no mistake with the weight of events that have occurred in the Royal family after 1990. Between 1990 and 2020 Britain saw six prime ministers and three major Royal divorces, including the ugly split-up of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
A year later, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris and in 2002, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Golden Jubilee after 50 years of ruling.
Then there are Princes William and Harry, and the stories of their courtship with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
Premiere Date for Season 5
Even as we await the release of season 4, an approximate date has also not been set for the season 5.
Are you a fan of Crown? Are you happy with the choices of actors for the major roles? Let us know in the comments below.
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