Olivia Colman Joins Netflix’s The Crown As Queen Elizabeth

Netflix struck gold once again last year with their royal drama The Crown. As well as its excellent production values and smart writing from creator Peter Morgan, what really brought the series to life were the central performances from Claire Foy and Matt Smith as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, respectively. However, it was made clear that these actors would be replaced within a couple of seasons as the show moved through the Queen’s life.

Now, it’s been revealed that Olivia Colman will take over for Foy, with the actress set to star as the Queen for seasons 3 and 4 of the series. This fits with what’s been said about The Crown before. That being that seasons 1 and 2 will cover everything from Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne in the 1950s to the resignation of Prime Minister Harold MacMillan in 1963.

Season 3 will then jump forward to the 1970s, meaning an actress older than the 33-year-old Foy is required. Presumably, the show will continue after season 4 as well, with someone else taking over to play the Queen in her elderly years.

Colman will certainly have big shoes to fill in replacing Claire Foy. The actress earned an Emmy nomination for her leading role in season 1, as well as winning a Golden Globe and SAG Award for Best Actress in a Drama. Not that Colman’s a stranger to being showered with awards herself, mind you. For her part in Tom Hiddleston-starring spy drama The Night Manager, she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress and also nabbed an Emmy nomination.

Before Colman and whoever joins her as the older Phillip takeover, though, Claire Foy and Matt Smith will make their final appearances in the series when The Crown returns for its second season later this year on December 8th. Will you be tuning in? Be sure to let us know in the usual place.