The Crown throne a lifeline
PHOTO HOP-ORTUNITY Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2005
POP SPRINGER Music star Kylie Minogue jumps in 2015
QUEEN Imelda will take title
Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart in 2013
BY NICOLA METHVEN TV Editor THE Crown creator has confirmed the hit drama will return for two more series, not one – with Imelda Staunton sitting on the throne.
Peter Morgan did a U-turn on his decision to end the Netflix drama after five seasons, instead deciding to revert to his original plan and make six.
The writer said he realised he could not fit everything he wanted to cover into one 10-part run. “As we started to discuss the storylines for series five, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons,” he told Broadcast.
PRIME SUBJECT Dame Helen Mirren at the Baftas, 2013
TV GLORY The third series “To be clear, series six will not bring us any closer to the present day.”
Staunton, 64, whom Morgan has confirmed will be “taking The Crown into the 21st century”, will take up the
Paul Newman in 2003 reins from Olivia Colman following the end of series four, which airs later this year.
Series five is likely to include the Queen’s “annus horribilis” of 1992 in which Prince Andrew split from Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne divorced and Charles separated from Diana.
Series six could include the deaths of Princess Margaret, played by Oscarnominated Lesley Manville, and the Queen Mother.