The Crown season 5 cast as Netflix confirms major…

The Crown season 5 cast as Netflix confirms major changes for new episodes

After much anticipation and expectation, The Crown returns to Netflix this week but not without some major changes to the cast..

From the moment it made its debut on the streaming service back in 2016, with a cast led by original Queen Elizabeth II, Claire Foy, The Crown became compulsive viewing as it chartered the early part of Her Majesty's remarkable reign. Series one focused on the shock death of her father George IV, after he had the monarchy thrust upon him following the abdication of his brother Edward. The then Princess Elizabeth was on a tour of Kenya at the time, with Prince Phillip, but stepped off the plane back in the UK as Queen, having been informed of her father's death while overseas.

Other storylines in the early stages of The Crown include The Queen's relationship with Winston Churchill, played fantastically by John Lithgow and her sister Princess Margaret' relationship with Palace employee Peter Townsend. The second series looked at Margaret slowly falling off the rails as she struggled being in her sister's shadow, while in season 3, Margaret, played more recently by Helena Bonham Carter charms America after a dinner at the White House.

Series 3 of The Crown also included the very sad episode documenting the devastating mine slide in Aberfan, Wales, which killed over hundred of school children. And then the 80s set fourth season brought us our first glance at Princess Diana as she became the love interest and then wife of Prince Charles.

At the end of September,, it was confirmed by Netflix, much to the delight of fans, that The Crown's fifth season will start on November 9. But it's return might cause some disappointment over who won't be back for the new episodes. A short teaser for the new series hints that Diana and Charles; relationship will be very much to the forefront, with the preview featuring a dramatization of the Princess' interview with Martin Bashir.

Imelda Staunton takes over the role of the Queen from Olivia Colman in The Crown (Netflix)

But it won't be season four favourites Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor playing the couple. They have made way for Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki. The other major change is that Olivia Colman is no longer playing Queen Elizabeth, with the Oscar winner being replaced by Imelda Staunton.

Other changes include Jonathan Pryce coming in for Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh and Lesley Manville will be Princess Margaret, instead of Helena Bonham Carter.