Oscar nominee Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes, Tales from the Loop, The Man Who Killed Dox Quixote) is joining Netflix’s The Crown for the drama’s fifth and sixth seasons, according to Deadline. The actor will play Prince Philip in the final two seasons of the series, succeeding Tobias Menzies and Matt Smith, who portrayed the character in the first four seasons.
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Production on Season 4 wrapped production in March and is expected to launch later this year, featuring Oscar winner Olivia Colman’s (The Favourite) final turn as Queen Elizabeth II. Oscar nominee Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake) will take on the role in Season 5. Oscar nominee Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) recently signed on to portray Princess Margaret.
Season three of The Crown took place during 1964 and 1972 and is covering major events in British history, like Princess Margaret’s affair with Roddy Llewellyn, Margaret Thatcher’s political rise, and the introduction of Camilla Parker Bowles. Both Seasons 3 and 4 of the series will be shot back-to-back.
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The series tells the inside story of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, as the fragile social order established after the Second World War breaks apart. Based on the award-winning play, “The Audience,” the series reunites creator/writer Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) with director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours) and producer Andy Harries (The Queen).
Seasons 1-3 of The Crown are already available for streaming on Netflix.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
