The Crown has cast its third and final Princess Margaret.
Netflix confirmed that Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, World on Fire) will be taking over the role from Helena Bonham Carter (who in turn, took it over from Vanessa Kirby). The streaming giant shared the announcement on Twitter in a post that included a quote from Manville.
'I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret. 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,' she said.
Here, she's referring to the news that Imelda Staunton (of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey fame) will play Queen Elizabeth in the show's final chapter.
'I have loved watching The Crown from the very start,' Staunton said when her involvement in the show was confirmed back in January, per the Hollywood Reporter.
'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,' she continued. 'I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.'
Peter Morgan's decision to completely recast the show every few seasons has become a hallmark of his show about the British monarchy. But before we see Staunton and Manville's dynamic play out on screen, fans can enjoy one more season with Colman and Carter playing the royal sisters.
They finished filming season four just as the coronavirus pandemic hit Europe. While a premiere date has yet to be officially announced, new episodes are expected to drop later this year.
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