The stunningly successful Netflix show returns on 15 November…
A bunch of images from the fourth series of The Crown have been officially released and they give us intriguing first looks at both Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana.
Bad Education and The X-Files star Gillian Anderson plays Prime Minister Thatcher, with newcomer Emma Corrin taking the role of Princess Diana.
“As the 1970s are drawing to a close, Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) and her family find themselves preoccupied with safeguarding the line of succession by securing an appropriate bride for Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor), who is still unmarried at 30,” reads the official synopsis from Netflix.
“As the nation begins to feel the impact of divisive policies introduced by Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson), tensions arise between her and the Queen which only grow worse as Thatcher leads the country into the Falklands War, generating conflict within the Commonwealth. While Charles’ romance with a young Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin) provides a much-needed fairytale to unite the British people, behind closed doors, the Royal Family is becoming increasingly divided.”
If you think Corrin doesn’t look a bit like Princess Diana, you’re not wrong. In fact, the 24-year-old British actress will agree with you herself.
“My mum has been told that she looks like Diana,” says Corrin in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “She often has been mistaken for her throughout her life, which is a really weird connection. But I have never had that. I get young Jodie Foster.”
According to the press release, “the series focuses on the personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th Century.”
“The series isn’t simply about the monarchy, but is about an empire in decline, a world in disarray, and the dawn of a new era.”
The fourth season of The Crown also stars Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Tobias Menzies as The Duke of Edinburgh, Erin Doherty as Princess Anne, Emerald Fennell as Camilla Parker Bowles and Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother.
The show, written by Peter Morgan, has followed The Queen and her miscreant family over four seasons, starting all the way back with her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947. Claire Foy played Betty for the first two seasons, with Olivia Colman taking over for seasons three and four. Bravo.
Steve Pafford
