Emmy award-winning royal drama The Crown has found its new queen: Olivia Colman.
The acclaimed actor will reportedly step into the role of Elizabeth II for the Netflix show’s third season, replacing Claire Foy as the period drama moves towards the present day and the character naturally ages.
The Crown dramatises the story of the British royal family, beginning in 1947 with Elizabeth’s engagement to Prince Philip and gradually progressing through her reign. Colman will portray the monarch for seasons three and four, which will be set after 1963.
The Broadchurch and Fleabag actor, who this year won a Golden Globe for her role in The Night Manager, is currently the only confirmed cast member for The Crown’s upcoming seasons. It is not known who will replace Matt Smith as Prince Philip.
Foy, who herself won a Golden Globe this year, had found plenty of critical acclaim for her portrayal of a young Queen Elizabeth in the show’s first two seasons – also earning an Emmy nomination.
Series creator Peter Morgan said it had always been his intention to cast new actors for the main characters as the series progressed, telling Variety that older performers were crucial in “informing” the energy of scenes.
“The feelings we all have as 50-year-olds are different than the feelings we all have as 30-year-olds,” he said. “That informs everything we do.”
Colman joins the record-breakingly expensive series after it won best television drama at this year’s Golden Globes, and John Lithgow’s portrayal of Winston Churchill won an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.
The second season is scheduled to debut on Netflix on 8 December, with production under way for season three.
