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A release date for Season 5 of the prestigious series, The Crown, has been released. As fans wait for the premiere on November 9th, many are still growing accustomed to the new cast. This isn't the first change in cast the show has made, having swapped actors after the second season as well as the fourth.
The casting change allows for the show to fluidly span across multiple decades, and Season 5's cast has been filled with a number of extremely talented cast members, many of which are recognizable from major series or film franchises.
Lesley Manville - Phantom Thread (2017)
Princess Margaret has proven to be a formidable character, having already been played by fierce actresses Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Kirby. Both portrayals made Margaret one of the most interesting and conflicted characters in the whole series. Lesley Manville has the necessary acting quality to follow them up.
Though she has appeared in many projects, Manville's most notable is Phantom Thread, where she played the supporting role of Cyril, Reynolds' sister, in many scenes opposite Daniel Day-Lewis.
Imelda Staunton - Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix (2007)
Following up Claire Foy and Olivia Colman in such a prestigious show is not easy, as both played Elizabeth II to perfection. But if there was anyone so fit for the job, Imelda Staunton is the right pick. Though the actress has a number of roles in high-profile films, it is her role as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film franchise that she is most known for.
In The Order of the Phoenix, a film filled with terrific villains such as Lucius Malfoy and, of course, Lord Voldemort, it is still Imelda Staunton's performance as Dolores that stands out. Dolores was easily one of the most despicable villains ever, with much of the credit going to Staunton's performance. Despite her terrible deeds, there are some quotes that show Dolores Umbridge wasn't entirely evil.
Dominic West - The Wire (2002-2008)
As the series lead on one of the greatest TV shows ever, Dominic West certainly has the talent for a run on The Crown. West's Jimmy McNulty was one of the best characters on The Wire, a show filled with memorable performances. Set in Baltimore, fans of the series may not have even realized the actor was British!
Josh O'Connor earned himself an Emmy for his role as Charles in The Crown Season 4, so The Wire actor will have big shoes to fill. He certainly looks the part and has the charisma to carry on the torch. His chemistry with Elizabeth Debicki will be the test.
Jonathan Pryce - Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Jonathan Pryce has a long portfolio of interesting film projects, with Game of Thrones being the perfect mix of commercial appeal and space to flex his acting chops. As High Sparrow, Pryce left a memorable imprint on the show and many of its characters, despite some considering him to be one of Game of Thrones' least competent villains.
Taking over the role of Prince Philip from fellow Game of Thrones universe stars Matt Smith and Tobias Menzies, Pryce will have as great of shoes to fill as the rest of the cast.
Elizabeth Debicki - The Great Gatsby (2013)
Much of the spotlight on Season 5 of The Crown will be on actress Elizabeth Debicki, as she picks up on the role of Princess Diana. Hers was one of the most gut-wrenching stores in Season 4, and Season 5 will surely not get much easier. Interest in the character has grown even more since the release of Spencer.
The younger actress has been in a number of successful projects in the past decade, including Tenet and Widows. She's perhaps most easily recognizable for her role in The Great Gatsby, where she stood out as the fashionable Jordan Baker.
Olivia Williams - Rushmore (1998)
Integral to telling the story of Prince Charles and Princess Diana is the involvement of Camilla. The scandal of Charles and Camilla's affair and later marriage will likely become a main plot point in seasons to come. Olivia Williams, who is often an incredibly likable actress, will make an interesting choice for such a divisive character.
Williams is likely most known for her role in Rushmore, one of Wes Anderson's most re-watchable films, where she played the female lead, Rosemary Cross. In the whacky comedy, her character stands out as a center of rationality, while also
Jonny Lee Miller - Elementary (2012-2019)
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From Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth's varying relations with the Prime Ministers of the UK have been a central plot point to The Crown. These storylines have often given depth to Elizabeth's political viewings and the relationship between Buckingham Palace and Westminster.
Jonny Lee Miller will be playing the role of John Major, who historically served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997. The actor is most known for playing Sherlock Holmes in seven seasons of the CBS drama, Elementary. He's a recognizable face for TV fans, having also played a role in Dexter.
Khalid Abdalla - Moon Knight (2022-)
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Khalid Abdalla has had a terrific year for his career so far, already appearing in the high-profile show Moon Knight and now following it up with a role in The Crown. Abdalla played the character Selim in Moon Knight, who was essential in helping establish the mythology of the show's world.
The actor will now play Dodi Fayed in future seasons of The Crown. Historically, Fayed was known for being an upper-class born film producer and a romantic partner of Diana. His appearance in all ten episodes of the season will likely be a center point of Season 5's drama.
Andrew Havill - The King (2019)
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Over the span of Elizabeth II's life in The Crown, she has had many Private Secretaries. The role serves the purpose of connecting the Crown to the UK government and establishing much of the royalty's organizational duties. Martin Charteris has been the character in the series most known for fulfilling this role thus far.
In Season 5, actor Andrew Havill will be playing Robert Fellowes, the Queen's new secretary. The actor is no stranger to period pieces, having played a role in the Shakespeare adaptation, The King as well as Downton Abbey and The Duke.
Claudia Harrison - Humans (2015-2018)
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Princess Anne has had increasing amounts of screen time throughout the previous two seasons of The Crown. While she has never been a central character, she does at times offer important perspective to the events occurring, given her closer personal relationships to the central characters.
Actress Claudia Harrison will take over as Anne for ten episodes in Season 5. The actress has played a number of small roles, primarily on TV, with AMC's Humans being a highlight. Perhaps the series will allow her to show off some talent and increase her notoriety.