PLAY TELEVISION OLIVIA ASCENDS TO THRONE

has revealed the first tantalising look at the new Queen Elizabeth for the third season of The Crown, now played by Olivia Colman who replaced Claire Foy.

The photo portrays Colman as “Lilibet”, always stoic with that perfectlyin- place hairdo, an indiscernible expression and holding a cup of tea.

Colman was cast to take over from Foy for the third and fourth seasons of the popular English drama. It was always the plan to cast older actors as the show moved on in the timeline. The first two series ran from Elizabeth’s marriage to Philip in 1947 to the birth of Prince Edward in 1964. By 1964, the Queen was 38 years old to Foy’s 34 years.

Colman is best known for her roles in The Night Manager, Fleabag, Broadchurch, Peep Show and in the films Murder On The Orient Express and The Lobster.

Season three is expected to span 1964 to 1976, which will likely cover the events surrounding Princess Margaret’s divorce and when Prince Charles first met a young Camilla Shand. Diana is not expected to be in these episodes — she didn’t come on the scene until just afterwards, in 1977. Foy wasn’t the only cast member to be replaced — all the actors in the first two seasons joined the production with the understanding it was a two- season commitment.

Tobias Menzies ( Game of Thrones, Outlander) takes over from Matt Smith as Prince Philip, Helena Bonham Carter ( Fight Club) from Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret in season three, expected to premiere later this year.