The next season of The Crown marks the series’ third and final casting change and showcase the modern royal family in all their ’90s glory.
Royal family enthusiasts may still be deciphering the fourth season of The Crown, comparing every single outfit of Princess Diana’s and rumour about Prince Philip to actual royal history, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start to eagerly anticipate the fifth season of the award-winning Netflix series.
Unfortunately for those who rushed through season four and are eager to binge-watch dramatised versions of the next phase of Diana and Prince Charles’ doomed marriage, the aftermath of Margaret Thatcher’s term as Prime Minister, season five won’t be available for a while.
From the release date to the all-new cast, here’s everything we know about the upcoming season.
Who is starring in The Crown Season 5?
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
You probably recognise Philippine from Emily In Paris,and now it’s been revealed she’ll have a part in The Crown season 5.
Mail On Sunday reported that Philippine will play Monique Ritz, the widow of Charles Ritz, who sold his eponymous Paris hotel to Mohamed Al Fayed in 1979, and is part of Princess Diana’s story.
Imelda Staunton
Netflix announced on January 31st, 2020, that Imelda Staunton, who appeared in Nanny McPhee and played Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter, will succeed Olivia Colman as Queen. On July 30, Netflix posted a photo of her in character on Instagram, giving us our first glimpse at her as Elizabeth II.
Speaking about the role, Imelda 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.”
Jonny Lee Miller
It was announced in June 2021 that Trainspotting’s Jonny Lee Miller will play Prime Minister John Major in The Crown. Fans were puzzled by the casting, given that the actor and the politician do not look similar at all, but we all know by now that the producers of The Crown know exactly what they’re doing.
Elizabeth Debicki
It was announced in August 2020 that Debicki, who is known for her performances in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, The Night Manager, Widows, and Tenet, will take over form Emma Corrin as Princess Diana.
Corrin told Vulture of the advice she’d give her successor: “Make it your own. Put blinkers on for the rest of the world and for the pressure. Grab onto things that resonate with you, that you relate to, or that you empathise with. And always trust the script. It won’t let you down.”
Jonathan Pryce
Jonathan Pryce, the Oscar-nominated Game of Thrones star, has been selected as the next Prince Philip, succeeding Tobias Menzies.
“I am delighted to be working with Netflix again,” he said. “The positive experience I had making The Two Popes has given me the confidence to tackle the daunting prospect of portraying Prince Philip.”
Lesley Manville
Phantom Thread star Lesley Manville will be playing the Queen’s younger sister Princess Margaret. “I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret,” the actress said. “The baton is being passed on from two formidable actresses and I really don’t want to let the side down. Furthermore, to play siblings with my dear friend Imelda Staunton will be nothing short of a complete joy.”
Dominic West
Netflix also reported in August 2021 that Dominic West will succeed Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles. Dominic is most known for his roles in The Affair, The Wire, and, most recently, The Pursuit Of Love.
What will happen in The Crown Season 5?
The fifth season will focus on the Royal Family’s lives and loves during the 1990s and early 2000s. According to a new report from The Sun, it will contain that legendary interview between Martin Bashir and Princess Diana, which took place after her divorce from Prince Charles in 1995.
“The Crown’s creators see the interview as the keystone moment in series five,” the source said. “To the writers, the stormy marriage between Charles and Di led up to her outpouring on Panorama, and the aftermath of that decision defined her final months.’
They continued, “They are making a huge investment in that. The Crown has a track record of delving into areas of the Royal Family’s history they’d rather be left alone.”
The speech delivered by the Queen on the 40th anniversary of her succession will undoubtedly also be a standout of the upcoming series. “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an ‘Annus Horribilis’,” she famously said.
The release of Princess Diana’s explosive, tell-all book, which chronicled her marriage issues with Prince Charles, was one of the major events of that year. Also, I n March 1992, Prince Andrew divorced Sarah Ferguson, while Princess Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips.
Inevitably, the plot will contain the 1997 car accident that claimed the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, the late mother of Princes William and Harry.
Do we have a release date for The Crown season 5?
In September 2021, Netflix revealed the next series will drop on the streaming service in November 2022.
Do we have a trailer for The Crown season 5?
Sadly, there is no trailer for The Crown just yet. We’re on tenterhooks!