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Ahead of its long-awaited premiere, here’s everything you need to know about season four of The Crown, due out on Netflix on 15 November.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
After making her royal debut as the Queen in the third series of The Crown, Olivia Colman will return as Elizabeth II. Claire Foy, who famously played the role in the first two instalments of the Netflix drama, will also make a cameo in a flashback – while Imelda Staunton will take on the role for the final two seasons.
Tobias Menzies, who took over the role of Prince Philip from Matt Smith for season three, will return as the Duke of Edinburgh for season four – with Jonathan Pryce taking on the part for seasons five and six.
While Vanessa Kirby played Princess Margaret from 1947 to 1964, Helena Bonham Carter appeared as the Queen’s younger sister in season three, and will reprise the part in the forthcoming series. Lesley Manville, meanwhile, will appear as Princess Margaret for the final two seasons.
Among the most notable additions to the cast of The Crown for the forthcoming series: Gillian Anderson in the role of Margaret Thatcher. Famously the same age as the Queen, Britain’s first female Prime Minister had a deeply tumultuous relationship with the monarch.
Josh O’Connor will return as Prince Charles for season four – having first appeared as the future King in season three, which dedicated an episode to his investiture as the Prince of Wales. Dominic West will take on the role for seasons five and six.
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The Princess Royal made her first appearance in season three, with Erin Doherty playing the young, wilful Anne. She returns in season four. Netflix has yet to announce who will take on the part in the final two series.
Of course, season four of The Crown will also see the introduction of Diana, Princess of Wales – played by relative newcomer Emma Corrin, who outlined her preparation for the life-changing role in British Vogue’s October 2020 issue. Stepping into Princess Diana’s shoes for seasons five and six? Elizabeth Debicki.
Emerald Fennell will return as Prince Charles’s love interest Camilla Parker Bowles, whose marriage at the end of season three devastated Prince Charles – but by no means brought an end to their relationship.
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Is there a trailer for ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
Yes, and it’s predictably emotional, not to mention visually stunning – watch it in full below.
On 29 October, Netflix dropped another trailer, this one offering a tantalising glimpse of Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher – and of the Iron Lady’s first audience with Her Majesty the Queen. Watch it below.
Netflix also previously released a 33-second glimpse of the fourth series, including a first look at Emma Corrin as Diana, Princess of Wales. Specifically, the young royal appears with her back to the camera – stepping out of her flat on Old Brompton Road, where she lived before her engagement, into the glare of flashbulbs, and wearing her wedding dress.
What is the release date for ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
Season four of The Crown will be released on Netflix on 15 November.
What time period will be covered in ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
While the first and second instalments of The Crown covered 1947 to 1955 and 1956 to 1964, respectively, the third series ran from 1964 to 1977. Season four begins in 1979 and ends in 1990.
Which major events will be the focus of ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
All of the biggest political dramas of the Thatcher years will be covered, including the scaling up of IRA attacks; the Falklands War; and Britain’s tense relationship with South Africa, then still under apartheid rule. The friction between Downing Street and Buckingham Palace following Thatcher’s landslide victory in 1979 is also chronicled in minute detail – culminating in her ousting by her own Cabinet in 1990.
Within The Firm, Prince Charles’s courtship of Lady Diana Spencer, their 1981 wedding, and the subsequent deterioration of their marriage is also central to the series – as is the future King’s ongoing devotion to Camilla Parker Bowles. Both the royal couple’s 1983 tour of Australia and Diana, Princess of Wales’s solo 1989 tour of New York city will be given screen time.
In terms of the minor royals, Princess Margaret’s ongoing battle with her mental health is depicted, as is the decline of Princess Anne’s first marriage to Captain Mark Phillips – with both Princesses feeling overshadowed by Diana at various points in the series.
Which filming locations were used for ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
Approximately 90 filming locations were used for season four of The Crown. In addition to Buckingham Palace, seven other royal households feature in this series: Windsor Castle (filmed at Belvoir Castle and Burghley House); Kensington Palace (Harefield Grove, Brocket Hall, and Wellington College); Sandringham (Somerleyton Hall); Highgrove (Somerley House); Clarence House (High Canons); and Gatcombe Park (Wrotham Park).
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How many more seasons will there be after ‘The Crown’ Season 4?
After some back and forth, series creator Peter Morgan has confirmed that there will be another two seasons of The Crown.
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