Imelda Staunton confirmed to replace Olivia Colman on The Crown for season 5

Imelda Staunton has been confirmed to replace Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth on The Crown for season five, it’s final series.

The 64-year-old will take the reins for just one chapter for the Netflix biopic which has been cut short from its initial plans of a six season run.

Writer Peter Morgan revealed: ‘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. Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.

‘At the outset I had imagined The Crown running for six seasons but now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop.

‘I’m grateful to Netflix and Sony for supporting me in this decision.’

Imelda enthused: ‘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.’

The Crown season four is currently in production with Gillian Anderson starring as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and newcomer Emma Corrin playing a young Princess Diana.

The Crown is available to stream on Netflix. 

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