'The Crown' Season 5: Will Imelda Staunton bring a new facet of Queen Elizabeth II onscreen after Claire Foy and Olivia Colman?
After reigning over Britain for longer than most of her subjects, Queen Elizabeth II is the country's "most familiar enigma." A dialogue from 'The Crown' Season 3 goes: "The rest of us drop like flies, but she goes on and on." From stamps to coins and book covers, her face is everywhere. Why should the actors portraying her life then be less than an enigma?
Adding more razzle-dazzle to the historical drama on Netflix, Imelda Staunton has been confirmed to play the Queen when the show takes another leap in Season 5. As Staunton carries the torch, there's hope that she may add the unwavering spark and her sense of humor after she softened in her later years. Staunton might also be seen personifying the Queen's signature solid-color overcoats and matching hats.
In the first season, Claire Foy essayed the role and her marvelous performance earned her a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In Season 3, Foy passed the baton to Olivia Colman and she too brilliantly followed in her footsteps while bringing a new flavor of the monarch as she aged. The new season opened to rave reviews, particularly praising Colman's performance.
Before the confirmation, there were speculations that Helen Mirren would assume the role. In fact, creators and writers even admitted that Mirren "loves the show". However, when quizzed if she would take the role, Mirren told TV presenter Lorraine Kelly in an interview, "I don’t think so...". She added, "I think it's more interesting when you see other portraits and it builds into a more interesting picture than just someone coming back."
Known for her title role in the 2004 film 'Vera Drake', Staunton also played Mrs. Blatherwick in 'Nanny McPhee' (2005), Dolores Umbridge in two of the 'Harry Potter' films (2007–2010) and Hefina Headon in 'Pride' (2014). In a statement, she said, “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 honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking 'The Crown' to its conclusion.”
One possible plotline she may be seen in is the Queen’s ‘annus horribilis’ – Her Majesty’s description, during a speech at the Guildhall, of the glum goings-on of 1992. For Season 4, the producers have greenlit new faces. Gillian Anderson will portray UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and newcomer Emma Corrin will be seen as a young Diana Spencer.